>Hi everyone,
Murakami Haruki was discussed here fairly recently so i won't say too
much about him except he is one of the most widely translated and
popular living Japanese writers. I love his early books like Dance,
Dance, Dance and The Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the
World.
I think it's really important in coming to understand a culture to read
widely in its literature - especially if you want to write about it. I was
reminded again last night, watching Aoyama's film Eureka, how
different Japanese narrative style is from Western - which is why some
people find Japanese novels hard going. It's worth thinking yourself
into the necessary different mindset. And just to try reading in kanji is
worth it too, to realise the vividness and graphic nature of this way of
writing.
Lili and the other writers, I've had a sort of historical fantasy published
recently set in an alternative mediaeval world based on Japan. It's
under the pseudonym Lian Hearn and is called Tales of the Otori. Our
excellent moderator was kind enough to post the first chapter of the
first book some time ago. If there's anything I can help you with in
discussing some of the issues involved in writing this sort of novel
perhaps you would like to contact me off board. I'm going away in 10
days but will try to reply before then.
Cheers,
Gillian