Pinball, 1973
15 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Lizzy-stardust from Salford, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Don't remember exactly what thius book is about and the description on nthe back is in Japanese. Fortunately the text is in English
Journal Entry 2 by Lizzy-stardust at Salford, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
This was a quiet little story where nothing much happens, except that the narrator lives with a set of twins and obsessively seeks a pinball machine on which he achieved both his highest ever pinball score and the high score on the machine. It was good, though. Even if I hadn't read anything else by Murakami previously, I think there is evidence here of the great things later to come from him, and there is even a passage about a well that hints toward the well in Wind-Up Bird.
Journal Entry 3 by Lizzy-stardust at Salford, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Monday, October 31, 2011
I have now got a ray for this book. The shipping order is as follows:
mafarrimond
cookdunf
BoekenTrol
Tsjara
Bumblebee
franaloe
zimort
Ruzena
Victoriawagtail
Oedda
okyrhoe
Stoepbrak
Romy86
bookowl1000
azuki
K00kaburra
nimrodiel
cinnycat
I mailed it today to mafarrimond. Enjoy!
mafarrimond
cookdunf
BoekenTrol
Tsjara
Bumblebee
franaloe
zimort
Ruzena
Victoriawagtail
Oedda
okyrhoe
Stoepbrak
Romy86
bookowl1000
azuki
K00kaburra
nimrodiel
cinnycat
I mailed it today to mafarrimond. Enjoy!
The book has arrived safely. I will read asap.
Gosh, I'd forgotton how much I enjoy Murakami's writing. Nothing much may happen but he weaves such a wonderful story. The main character was interesting and I was left wanting to know to know more . . .
I love the many musical references. A wonderful short story. Thanks for sharing it.
I love the many musical references. A wonderful short story. Thanks for sharing it.
Replacement sent to BrokenTrol
Journal Entry 7 by Boekentrol at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Thursday, March 22, 2012
This little book arrived safely in my mailbox today.
The books I've read by Murakami I liked, so I look forward to reding this one too :-)
Thanks to Lizzy-stardust for sharing it and to mafarrimond for sending a replacement book to me, so the ring continues. I'll get to it soon :-)
The books I've read by Murakami I liked, so I look forward to reding this one too :-)
Thanks to Lizzy-stardust for sharing it and to mafarrimond for sending a replacement book to me, so the ring continues. I'll get to it soon :-)
Journal Entry 8 by Boekentrol at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Having read other Murakami books (Kafka on the Shore, The Wind-up Bird Chronicles) I expected in this short story something similar again. Something with senses mixed up, impossible things happening.
Nothing was less true, although a theme from these other books, wells, came by too. i liked this short story. Like mafarrimond already said, nothing much happened, but the story itself was very nice to read.
I still have other books from him on my shelf that I need to read. Look forward to that :-)
I already have Tsjara's address, so this book will go out on a journey again this weekend.
Nothing was less true, although a theme from these other books, wells, came by too. i liked this short story. Like mafarrimond already said, nothing much happened, but the story itself was very nice to read.
I still have other books from him on my shelf that I need to read. Look forward to that :-)
I already have Tsjara's address, so this book will go out on a journey again this weekend.
Journal Entry 9 by Boekentrol at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Released 12 yrs ago (4/1/2012 UTC) at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands
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On its way to Tsjara now, the next rader in this ray. Safe travels, little book!
Happy reading!!
Happy reading!!
It's here! What a cute little book. Thanks for sending Boekentrol!
Haven't read any Murakami in a while, but I (usually) quite like his books and looking forward to reading this one.
Thanks for organising the bookring Lizzy-stardust!
Haven't read any Murakami in a while, but I (usually) quite like his books and looking forward to reading this one.
Thanks for organising the bookring Lizzy-stardust!
I finished reading this yesterday and quite enjoyed it. It is distinctly Murakami, the writing style and strange-ish situations, lots of references to music and western culture, wells.. Nothing much actually happens - besides the characters drinking a lot of coffee and beer and smoking cigarettes. And it feels almost a bit depressing, with all these detached (and mysterious) characters. But somehow it keeps you reading and don't really mind that nothing happens.
Released 12 yrs ago (4/16/2012 UTC) at Assendelft, Noord-Holland Netherlands
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Mailed it to Bumbelbee today.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
I received the book last thursday, but kept forgetting to let you know this beautiful little book arrived safely. Sorry! I've almost finished reading the book, so I'll make sure to send it allong shortly.
Journal Entry 14 by bumbelbee at ☑ 'Controlled Release' > Country > Province > City, .---controlled release---. Switzerland on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (5/17/2012 UTC) at ☑ 'Controlled Release' > Country > Province > City, .---controlled release---. Switzerland
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I really enjoyed reading this quirky little book, the story remains a bit on the surface, but the atmosphere was very nice. I liked the references to later stories en was actually contemplating reading books likes A Wild Sheep Chase and Dance Dance Dance all over again. Thanks for sharing!
I sent the book on its way to Franalou, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
I sent the book on its way to Franalou, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
Got it! I am really excited about this one. Thanks for sending and sharing!
Haha, so many cigarettes in this book, amazing! All the main characters seem to long for is to go home to have a shower, and then have a cigarette in bed. Or another beer and a cigarette. Or just another cigarette.
I loved the style, I loved the absurd situations, I loved the nothing-happening-but-having-to-continue-reading. A real Murakami. The Rat seemed somewhat familiar to me. I have been flipping through some of his other books, but I couldn't find any character called the Rat in there. Does anyone know if he features in another of Murakami's books?
Will contact the next reader and send it on.
I loved the style, I loved the absurd situations, I loved the nothing-happening-but-having-to-continue-reading. A real Murakami. The Rat seemed somewhat familiar to me. I have been flipping through some of his other books, but I couldn't find any character called the Rat in there. Does anyone know if he features in another of Murakami's books?
Will contact the next reader and send it on.
Journal Entry 17 by franaloe at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (6/26/2012 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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Sent to the next reader in Norway. Enjoy!
Thank you for this book. I got home from my vacation today and found this in my mail. I will start reading today.
On the way to Finland.
Playing soon...
I liked this novel as I always like Murakami's. His characters are lovable. It is like magic how he makes a reader follow this incoherent story where not much happens, and suddenly some ingenious idea pops up. Like the switch-panel's funeral...
Yes, the Rat appears in other novels too. The first three novels by Murakami form the so-called trilogy of the Rat: Hear the Wind Sing (1979), Pinball, 1973 (1980), and A Wild Sheep Chase (1982). Sheep Chase has been translated into several languages, but the first two are published in English only by this Japanese publisher Kodansha, so they are not very well-known outside Japan. I checked Amazon, and behold! A few copies of Pinball are available from $45.00, and 3 "collectible" ones from $1,250.00. Huge thanks to Lizzy-stardust. I couldn't help photographing myself with your book :D
-ruzena
Yes, the Rat appears in other novels too. The first three novels by Murakami form the so-called trilogy of the Rat: Hear the Wind Sing (1979), Pinball, 1973 (1980), and A Wild Sheep Chase (1982). Sheep Chase has been translated into several languages, but the first two are published in English only by this Japanese publisher Kodansha, so they are not very well-known outside Japan. I checked Amazon, and behold! A few copies of Pinball are available from $45.00, and 3 "collectible" ones from $1,250.00. Huge thanks to Lizzy-stardust. I couldn't help photographing myself with your book :D
-ruzena
Journal Entry 22 by 
ruzena
at bookray/bookring, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
ruzena at bookray/bookring, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (8/8/2012 UTC) at bookray/bookring, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases
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Happy reading!
The little book is now with me, thanks Ruzena and everyone else for making it travel to me. It looks very intriguing, will read soon!
Hello everyone. I'm sorry for having kept this book for a bit too long. I havn't had as much time over for reading lately as I hoped I would have... And I've also had som troubles getting in contact with the next person in line. Oedde's name was slightly miss spelled in the list above and even though I recognized the name I couldn't come up with the correct spelling until today. I've just sent Oedde a messeage and as soon as I get their address I will send the book on.
I'm sorry everyone for having kept this book for so long. But now it's finally on its way to Greece and Okyrhoe. Enjoy! :)
Arrived in Athens. Thanks Lizzy-stardust for including me in the bookray! Thanks also VictoriaWagtail for posting the book to me, and for the sweet treat!
I've liked all the Murakami novels that I read so far, so I am looking forward to this, too.
I've liked all the Murakami novels that I read so far, so I am looking forward to this, too.
Having read most of the longer (but not the longest, 1Q84!) novels of Haruki Murakami, I find this early work frustratingly short.
Many of the symbols, images and themes dear to Murakami are present - ears, spaghetti, cats, omphalos, lost time, music, identity doubles - but they don't signify much here, in and of themselves. My guess is that they won't add meaning to the narrative unless the reader is already familiar with the author's later works, and the recurring images and themes within those.
However, I did so much enjoy holding this printed-in-Japan edition. The paperback's characteristic dustjacket, cover design, as well as pocket-size dimensions and paper quality are appealing to me - I am a collector of the JTB (Japan Travel Bureau) publications that have the same dimensions and quality paper.
Many of the symbols, images and themes dear to Murakami are present - ears, spaghetti, cats, omphalos, lost time, music, identity doubles - but they don't signify much here, in and of themselves. My guess is that they won't add meaning to the narrative unless the reader is already familiar with the author's later works, and the recurring images and themes within those.
However, I did so much enjoy holding this printed-in-Japan edition. The paperback's characteristic dustjacket, cover design, as well as pocket-size dimensions and paper quality are appealing to me - I am a collector of the JTB (Japan Travel Bureau) publications that have the same dimensions and quality paper.
Journal Entry 28 by okyrhoe at book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Released 11 yrs ago (1/8/2013 UTC) at book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
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Sent early January by post to Stoepbrak. Enjoy!
The book arrived safely in Cape Town (2013-03-05). Thanks for hosting the ray, Lizzy-stardust, and for shipping it my way, okyrhoe!
What a little jewel! The book exceeded my expectations. It is so understated and subtle, yet the atmosphere created is tactile and draws one in. I love the author's sense of humour and ability to paint* a situation uniquely.
* No oil or broad brush strokes here; canny watercolours only.
It has been a privilege to cross paths with this attractive litlle book. I'm sad to let it go, but one can't keep an authentic travelling book caged in, can one?
Romy86 asked to be skipped, so I'll ship the book to bookowl1000 shortly.
Thanks again, Lizzy-stardust.
Released 11 yrs ago (3/15/2013 UTC) at Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
The book is on its way to bookowl1000 in China. I posted it this morning, opting for airmail.
International tracking number: RJ007893943ZA
http://sms.postoffice.co.za/trackingparcels
http://www.track-trace.com/post
I picked the book up from the post office (3 weeks to get here is a great time even for airmail) on the way to the airport. The Qinmin festival meant I had time off work, so started the book on the plane on the way to Wuyishan. I finished it quickly.
I am glad that this was not the first Murakami novel that I ever read, as I don't think it would have grabbe dme enough to want to read his other work. That said, there is something about the story, that even though nothing much is happeninf, makes you want to continue reading. I do enjopy the surealness of it...who would not think it odd to have a funeral for a telephone circuit box?
Thnaks for sharing, I will contact the next person on the list.
I am glad that this was not the first Murakami novel that I ever read, as I don't think it would have grabbe dme enough to want to read his other work. That said, there is something about the story, that even though nothing much is happeninf, makes you want to continue reading. I do enjopy the surealness of it...who would not think it odd to have a funeral for a telephone circuit box?
Thnaks for sharing, I will contact the next person on the list.
Posted to azurite yesterday. Hope it gets there ok, I do worry as I am not allowed to use an envelope of my choice and have to hand over packages unsealed for inspection.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
Wow this is the first time I get a BC book from China!! And it's from the Nanhai District, where my ancestors come from (the town of Xiqiao) (though I've never been). How exciting!
I haven't seen this Japanese book size for a long while. I used to love them because they are so easy to carry around.
I am reading 1Q84 right now, it will take me a while to finish, it's so long, but hopefully I can get to this in a reasonable time.
I haven't seen this Japanese book size for a long while. I used to love them because they are so easy to carry around.
I am reading 1Q84 right now, it will take me a while to finish, it's so long, but hopefully I can get to this in a reasonable time.
I was hoping to finish 1Q84, then read something else, before starting on another Murakami. But 1Q84 is so darn long I am still reading it, and I don't want to hold up the ring. Fortunately this story is short and simple enough I finish it without confusing the two books.
I enjoy the book enough, although it's not quite my favorite among Murakami's work.
Somehow I haven't heard back fm K00kaburra so I sent her another pm just now. Should be able to get it moving next week. Thanks again everybody for passing this book on.
ETA 7/2 K00kabura wants to skip so I just pm'ed nimrodiel.
I enjoy the book enough, although it's not quite my favorite among Murakami's work.
Somehow I haven't heard back fm K00kaburra so I sent her another pm just now. Should be able to get it moving next week. Thanks again everybody for passing this book on.
ETA 7/2 K00kabura wants to skip so I just pm'ed nimrodiel.
This made it here to Evanston safely. I'm in the middle of a multi book ray with a book and a half to finish before I can get to this book. I do expect to pick it up in a week or two :)
This was such a meloncholy and sweet short story. I actually had to take a day away from it about halfway through it which happens a lot with books by Murakami when I read them. i did enjoy seeing The Rat a character I loved in Wild Sheep Chase and Dance Dance Dance.
I have a hankering to try and figure out which box to dig my copy of The wind up Bird Chronicle now...
I have a hankering to try and figure out which box to dig my copy of The wind up Bird Chronicle now...
Book is traveling to cinnycat in New York
Well, this book made it to the last person on list! A BIG thank you to Lizzy-stardust for sharing a book that I know is a bit rare. And also a BIG thank you to everyone who actually made the bookray successful (and for the post office for not losing it!) Let me know what you want to happen with this book next, Lizzy-stardust!
I really just want to read anything Murakami, and I really appreciate the chance to read this one. I started reading it today...
I really just want to read anything Murakami, and I really appreciate the chance to read this one. I started reading it today...
As this is one of Haruki Murakami's first books (over 30 years ago!), I didn't expect something so good. But I can see why I'm such a fan of Murakami's and I will definitely continue to be. I've heard he has another book coming out within the next few months! Yes, the many Murakami cats, cigarettes and wells were present even in the first books. But he has such a wonderful way with words. I'm also surprised that even in his earliest books Murakami almost knew he would be an internationally famous writer (he is now the most famous Japanese writer) --it seems like his writing itself tries to encompass world culture and not just Japanese culture. But maybe this is one of the reasons he IS the most famous Japanese writer -- he is universal.
Here, the Rat (in three other books) and another nameless main character are now a bit lonely after their lives converge after their obsessions with pinball. There are other people in their lives, but it still doesn't seem the same. I would almost think that both of these characters are the same person, but they live in different places and have different girlfriends (one of them is dating twins.) Or maybe it's the same person from different times in their life? I have no idea! It's short and quirky and excellent. I'm looking forward to reading all of Murakami's other books I haven't read yet, since his earlier writing is so amazing.
I can't thank enough -- Lizzy-Stardust and everyone who sent this book on its journey for me to be able to read it! If anyone sees this and wants to read it, send me a message!
Here, the Rat (in three other books) and another nameless main character are now a bit lonely after their lives converge after their obsessions with pinball. There are other people in their lives, but it still doesn't seem the same. I would almost think that both of these characters are the same person, but they live in different places and have different girlfriends (one of them is dating twins.) Or maybe it's the same person from different times in their life? I have no idea! It's short and quirky and excellent. I'm looking forward to reading all of Murakami's other books I haven't read yet, since his earlier writing is so amazing.
I can't thank enough -- Lizzy-Stardust and everyone who sent this book on its journey for me to be able to read it! If anyone sees this and wants to read it, send me a message!
