Modern Fiction Books > H Modern Fiction Books > Haruki Murakami

Advantages: Beautifully written masterpiece
Disadvantages: Engrossing

...either to their job (in Hard Boiled Wonderland) or to a physical characteristic or job (in End of the World.) For example a character might be 'The Librarian' or 'The girl in the pink suit.' However this also means that the narrator remains completely anonymous. For ease of reference I shall call the protagonist the Shuffler (when describing the first book,) and the 'Dream Reader' for the other storyline. The first storyline 'Hard Boiled Wonderland' ...
...summoned on a job. Unlike other authors Murakami is content to sit back and watch a character evolve, rather than add unnecessary detail, and pointless observances. So at first all we know about the character is his exceptional mathematical ability when it comes to juggling numbers, the fact that this is somehow relevant to his job, and his sexual taste in women. And yet when he steps out of the lift, the plunge into a surreal and exotic world begins. ... Read review

Advantages: Great book a book you can't put down
Disadvantages: not that action packed

...into more detail I'll end up telling you most of the main plots, so if I was you get down to the local books shop and buy the first book MISSING: WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES, then when you've finished reading it you should read this one!!! GO AND DO THAT NOW!!!!!! ... Read review

Advantages: Amusing story and conversations, easy to understand
Disadvantages: lacks depth

...simple: imagine if the Greek Gods were still living, or existing, in a decrepit house in Islington. They are the same squabbling, bickering, incestuous family that myths were made of, but their powers are waning and they are entirely disregarded by the mortals that they consider so unimportant. Their powers and responsibilities remain true to history, but Phillips has given them appropriate, modern jobs; gorgeous Aphrodite is a phone sex worker while ...
...acutely conveys the boredom the gods are enduring by showing the mundane nature of even supposedly exciting moments and suggesting that one character's revenge on another might be 'swift and no doubt deadly, but at least it would pass the time.' The introduction of the human characters seems dull in comparison; this may be intentional, to suggest that their humdrum lives need livening up. Indeed, although they like each other, they seem barely able ... Read review

Advantages: Well written, easy to read, good characters
Disadvantages: A bit of a shaky start

Vintage is one of those books which is exactly what you expect. It has a glossy, expensive looking cover, with a model clutching a bottle of champagne, its title and author splashed across the middle of the cover in bold, gold lettering. It looks to be a glamorous, sexy read, and it does indeed deliver on its promises - and a little extra something added in there too. Vintage follows three women who enter the man's world of wine-making, well champagne ...
...Madeleine wants to produce a vintage wine of her own, and is determined to prove her critics, who don't believe a woman can create a great wine, wrong and to rise to the top of her game. Kelly Elson, a chambermaid in a hotel is also left a vineyard in a will, but unlike Madeleine, she doesn't want anything to do with it. Under the guidance of trustee Hilarian and and vineyard keeper Guy, she decides maybe there is something to be done in the wine ... Read review

Advantages: great characters
Disadvantages: remember te early chapters the will make more sence in the end!

...for Best Book/Novel White Teeth 2000 EMMA (BT Ethnic and Multicultural Media Award) for Best Female Media Newcomer White Teeth 2000 Guardian First Book Award White Teeth 2000 James Tait Black Memorial Prize (for fiction) White Teeth 2000 Mail on Sunday/John Llewellyn Rhys Prize (shortlist) White Teeth 2000 Whitbread First Novel Award White Teeth 2001 Authors' Club First Novel Award (shortlist) White Teeth 2001 Commonwealth Writers Prize (Overall ...
...(shortlist) White Teeth 2001 WH Smith Award for Best New Talent White Teeth This was Zadie Smith's first novel but if you liked this she has more out now. As I don't know any one else who read it id love t o hear your views . ... Read review