A Wild Sheep Chase - Haruki Murakami (Book Review)

Reading Murakami is like falling into a dream, while being wide awake, holding a book in your hand! For people who are new to Murakami, they should know that this book is the second one, in a trilogy. The trilogy (which is actually called the ‘Rat Trilogy’), consists of below books in this order: #1 Wind/Pinball #2 A Wild Sheep Chase #3 Dance Dance Dance

'A Wild Sheep Chase' is a weird dream-like tale with a mix of detective story, myth, fantasy, and philosophy. The story opens with the protagonist, owner of a translation and advertising business in Tokyo, a young man who seems to be embracing mediocrity. He clearly embraces his girlfriend, who isn't as beautiful, but has a sixth sense about the future and exceptional ears. At intervals, he reflects upon his failed past marriage too. A strange man in a black suit sends the narrator on a wild sheep chase, to locate a single and singular sheep with a star on its back. It is an offer the young man isn’t able to refuse. He accepts the challenge, gets rid of his employment, colleagues, and material matters, and leaves with his girlfriend, headed to the punishing, mountainous landscape of Hokkaido, in the search of ‘the sheep’. Rest of the story has many twists and turns, and also the mention of ‘Rat’ (from the previous novel). To know how the protagonist finds the sheep, and what happens once he finds the special sheep, pick up this book.

The purity and beauty of the writing engage the reader into the core theme of emptiness, loneliness, and alienation. The actual detective story doesn't get started until about halfway through, and pages are spent detailing random trips the guy makes to bars, and other things that don't add much to the story.

Anyway, as a Murakami fan, I liked the work. This may not be one of the best (if you compare it to something like ‘Kafka on the shore’), but definitely worth a read. I would rate it 4/5. Cheers!

Overall Rating - 4/5