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Jenna � ❀ �'s Reviews > Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage
Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage
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"“I have no sense of self. I have no personality, no brilliant color. I have nothing to offer. That’s always been my problem. I feel like an empty vessel. I have a shape, I guess, as a container, but there’s nothing inside."
This is the most heart-wrenching of Murakami's books, at least of the ones I've read. Wow. I wasn't expecting that.
This is the story of Tsukuru Tazaki. As a teen, he belonged to a close-knit group of friends all of whom had a color for a name. Tsukuru alone does not have a color; his name means to build, to create. But it doesn't matter, as long as he is within this group, surrounded by his friends, he does not lack color. His life has meaning and depth.
After he moves to Tokyo for university, his friends stop speaking to him. Tsukuru feels as though his life is now without color, without context. His adult life is shaped by the loss of his colorful friends. He is an empty shell, bereft.
Did I say this was heart-wrenching? If books made me cry, this would have been a full-box-of-Kleenex read. The writing is exquisite and emotional and intense. I was submerged and didn't want to come up for air.
It's typical Murakami in that there were dreams that might not be dreams and reality is slightly blurred. There were fingers in jars and a man who was given the gift of seeing auras in exchange for an early death.
Did these have anything to do with the story or were they just filler? It doesn't matter. This is Murakami and you just gotta accept that some things you might never understand. Maybe there's a meaning and someday you'll get it. Maybe there's a meaning and you'll never get it. Maybe there's no meaning at all.
With any other author that would drive me crazy. With Murakami, it's just part of the ride.
This is the most heart-wrenching of Murakami's books, at least of the ones I've read. Wow. I wasn't expecting that.
This is the story of Tsukuru Tazaki. As a teen, he belonged to a close-knit group of friends all of whom had a color for a name. Tsukuru alone does not have a color; his name means to build, to create. But it doesn't matter, as long as he is within this group, surrounded by his friends, he does not lack color. His life has meaning and depth.
After he moves to Tokyo for university, his friends stop speaking to him. Tsukuru feels as though his life is now without color, without context. His adult life is shaped by the loss of his colorful friends. He is an empty shell, bereft.
Did I say this was heart-wrenching? If books made me cry, this would have been a full-box-of-Kleenex read. The writing is exquisite and emotional and intense. I was submerged and didn't want to come up for air.
It's typical Murakami in that there were dreams that might not be dreams and reality is slightly blurred. There were fingers in jars and a man who was given the gift of seeing auras in exchange for an early death.
Did these have anything to do with the story or were they just filler? It doesn't matter. This is Murakami and you just gotta accept that some things you might never understand. Maybe there's a meaning and someday you'll get it. Maybe there's a meaning and you'll never get it. Maybe there's no meaning at all.
With any other author that would drive me crazy. With Murakami, it's just part of the ride.
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Reading Progress
March 31, 2021
–
Started Reading
March 31, 2021
– Shelved
April 3, 2021
– Shelved as:
fiction
April 3, 2021
– Shelved as:
asian-authors
April 3, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-34 of 34 (34 new)
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message 1:
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Judith
(new)
Apr 03, 2021 08:10AM
Or maybe Murakami just likes messing with us for pure enjoyment. Enjoyed reading that review.
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Judith wrote: "Or maybe Murakami just likes messing with us for pure enjoyment. Enjoyed reading that review."That is a possibility I hadn't thought of, Judith! Smart thinking!
Isn't it wonderful how reading Murakami is such an immersive experience I love how reality gets blurred...
Lisa wrote: "Isn't it wonderful how reading Murakami is such an immersive experience I love how reality gets blurred..."Yes, it is, Lisa! I know every time I start a Murakami, that I'll be totally immersed in the story. It doesn't matter what it's about, it just pulls you in and under. I too love how reality gets blurred in his books.
Wow Jenna, you really tempt me to give Murakami another try! Love your review!
Violeta wrote: "Wow Jenna, you really tempt me to give Murakami another try! Love your review!"Thanks, Violeta. Murakami seems to be a love-him or hate-him type of author but perhaps if you give him another try, you'll be swayed to the side of loving his books :)
Fantastic review Jenna, sounds like an emotional read!
Maureen wrote: "Fantastic review Jenna, sounds like an emotional read!"Thanks, Maureen. It was indeed that.
Great review Jenna. Not heard about this one. I’ve read a few of his books though and they all seems to have this dream like quality in places 😊
Sandra wrote: "Great review Jenna. Not heard about this one. I’ve read a few of his books though and they all seems to have this dream like quality in places 😊"Thanks, Sandra. Yes, they all have a dream like quality to them and you sometimes wonder what is real and what is a dream or maybe there's no distinction at all.
It’s funny how we all react to books. Like you I’m a big Murakami fan but this one didn’t get to me like the others I’ve read ........ and I am prone to the odd tear in the eye :)Maybe my mood wasn’t quite right. Glad you loved it and I enjoyed your fine review!
Richard wrote: "It’s funny how we all react to books. Like you I’m a big Murakami fan but this one didn’t get to me like the others I’ve read ........ and I am prone to the odd tear in the eye :)Maybe my mood was..."
This doesn't seem to be a very popular one, Richard, so perhaps a lot of other fans weren't so taken in by this one either. It took me about fifty pages to get into it, whereas usually I"m all in quite early in the book. However, once I was in, that was it. Anyway, it's the rare author who can please all of us all of the time... rare? Maybe none of them can.
Glad you found another fabulous read by the author you love, Jenna :))
Beata wrote: "Glad you found another fabulous read by the author you love, Jenna :))"Thank you, Beata!
Interesting review, Jenna! Sounds heartbreaking...or is it?
Debbie wrote: "Interesting review, Jenna! Sounds heartbreaking...or is it?"Thank you, Debbie. It is at times but everything works out for Tsukuru. It's a very intense and emotional read.
NILTON wrote: "Awesome review!"Thanks, Nilton, glad you loved this book too!
Terrific review, Jenna! Now that I've reversed my decision on Murakami, I'll need to add this one to my list! You've made it sound completely compelling :)
Great review Jenna , I have got to read Murakami, always wanted to
Super review, Jenna! I really need to get to Murakami before long.
Candi wrote: "Terrific review, Jenna! Now that I've reversed my decision on Murakami, I'll need to add this one to my list! You've made it sound completely compelling :)"I'll be looking forward to your thoughts on it, Candi. It's written so beautifully. I think you're going to appreciate this one too! It's very introspective and intense and yet dreamy at the same time.
Edgarr Alien wrote: "Great review Jenna , I have got to read Murakami, always wanted to"Thanks, Edgarr. I hope you'll enjoy his books if/when you try him. He's an amazing storyteller.
Barbara K wrote: "Super review, Jenna! I really need to get to Murakami before long."Thanks, Barbara! I hope you'll love his books too!
I’m scared of this writer. Love your review!
Super review and what a great cover!
Debbie wrote: "I’m scared of this writer. Love your review!"Why does he scare you, Debbie? Just curiuos... there are authors who scare me too!
Jen wrote: "Super review and what a great cover!"Thanks, Jen, and I agree -- it's an awesome cover!
Jenna, I am new to this ŷ community. Love your reviews and am amazed the time you put into responding to all comments.I have always loved Murakami but his memoir on running really put things into context for me- on his view on life and play.
Keep up the good work, your reviews might turn out to be as good as reading books.. will see :)
Jenna wrote: "Debbie wrote: "I’m scared of this writer. Love your review!"Why does he scare you, Debbie? Just curiuos... there are authors who scare me too!"
I think I wouldn’t “get� him! And I’d be all disappointed and embarrassed!
Bk wrote: "Jenna, I am new to this ŷ community. Love your reviews and am amazed the time you put into responding to all comments.I have always loved Murakami but his memoir on running really put th..."
BK, thank you for such a wonderful compliment! I'm glad you're enjoying my reviews so much. As for responding to comments, I appreciate the time others take to leave comments and don't want to seem like I don't or ignore anyone. Then there's the fact that it's fun to talk about books!
I haven't yet read Murakami's memoir, thank you for suggesting it. It sounds like it helps you understand his novels better too?
Debbie wrote: "I think I wouldn’t “get� him! And I’d be all disappointed and embarrassed!"Understandable, but to be honest, part of loving Murakami is accepting that you won't always "get" everything!
Great review, Jenna! I just finished your review of a book on other intelligent life in the universe. And it occurs to me if there are aliens that walk among us (which I don't believe for a second but if) -- well, Murakami. The author I'd most like to hug.
Lori wrote: "Great review, Jenna! I just finished your review of a book on other intelligent life in the universe. And it occurs to me if there are aliens that walk among us (which I don't believe for a second ..."I don't believe it either but..... so that's how he gets his incredibly zany and awesome ideas!?
