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The Other Murakami

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The Other Murakami

Or, Some Recommended Reading

Brandan Hingley-Lovatt
Feb 5, 2023
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The Other Murakami

brandanhingleylovatt.substack.com

I would imagine that most people are familiar with Haruki Murakami and his work; and rightly so — he’s great. But I imagine that people may not be as ubiquitously acquainted with another author who shares the same surname.

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Who am I referring to here? I’m referring to Ryu Murakami. Not Haruki Murakami but Ryu Murakami.

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The books that Ryu has written compared to the books that Haruki has written — lets just say that they are more of an acquired taste.

Of Ryu Murakami’s body of work, there are three books of his that stand out to me in particular — an unofficial trilogy of sorts that share many of the same themes: violence, sex, obsession, etc.

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These books, in order of publication, go as follows:

  • Piercing (1994)

  • Audition (1997)

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  • In the Miso Soup (1997)

I would highly recommend that you checkout these three books, Hypothetical Reader, if you are so inclined to read about things that will stay with you (for better or for worse)

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. If you were to read just one of the books listed above though, I would recommend going for In the Miso Soup. It’s my favourite of the three and one which has a particular sequence that ranks, in my opinion, with some of the best literature in regards to the viscerally grotesque.
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If you end up checking out any of Ryu Murakami’s work because of this post, I sincerely hope that you get as much from them as I do, Hypothetical Reader.

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1

Hence the title of this post.

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YOU GOT THAT?

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All of the good stuff.

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If this title sounds familiar, that may be because it was later adapted into a film which subsequently garnered cult status.

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More than likely for worse.

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Only the most esteemed of literary works will you find recommend here.

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Apologies in advance if you subsequently need therapy.

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The Other Murakami

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Brandan Hingley-Lovatt
Feb 5Author

With the harsh mailing protocols we have over here, I’m afraid I can’t send you Miso Soup. Book or both.

Best I can do with mailing is a low resolution printed out picture of fish and chips. Take it or leave it.

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John Raisor
Writes Occams Raisor's Uncomfortable T…
Feb 5Liked by Brandan Hingley-Lovatt

I will mail you a copy of Invisible Monsters in exchange for Miso Soup. Book or broth.

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