As early writings of Murakami's these works set the foundation for what will be Murakami's writing style. Personally, they lack some of the spark that developed in Murakami's later works, but the exploration of identity and belonging was nonetheless impactful. ( )

What can you say about two novels that the author himself admits are not up to scratch in his foreword? As with Go Set a Watchman, I guess the only reason for reading this book is to experience the nascent activity of an ultimately famous writer.

The book consists of two novellas, both concerning an unnamed narrator and his friend the Rat.

The Rat character returns to feature in two of Murakami's better known novels, A Wild Sheep Chase and Dance, Dance, Dance. To be honest though, it's so long since I read either that I'm unable to discern any connections between these first novellas and those novels, so I can only judge this book as a standalone work.

In that sense, I'd have to say it is pretty unsatisfying. Wind has the benefit of being punchy and concise, but the layout has padded it a great deal, and it's really just an extended short story. The narrator spends the entire story boozing with the Rat and pursuing a girl with nine fingers. It's pretty shallow stuff really, nothing to write home about. Pinball is a bit meatier and the prose is denser and more philosophical. The Rat is a bit more rounded a character here, and the narrator's romantic entanglements are interspersed with a growing awareness of his youth passing with no achievements to show for it, like a pinball game.

Some of the Murakami tropes are evident already, especially the inscrutable women drifting in and out of the orbit of befuddled and ineffectual guys. It is a lot less believable here, especially the narrator's relationship with twins in Pinball. This is such a profoundly unequal relationship and they tolerate so much crap from him that it warrants an explanation, which the author never gives. This key relationship is so unlikely that it mars the entire story. ( )

Having read several current books by this author I had high expectations. He has the talent to create memorable characters, unusual plots and weave fantasy elements within the story fabric. None of these are exhibited here. Instead the stories meander aimlessly, and there's little to grasp or engage with. I read the first story and was so disappointed I didn't bother with the second. He obviously evolved substantially as a writer since these early stories ( )

I think I picked the wrong book to try reading Murakami. Maybe I'll try again later. Much later. ( )

On the back of my edition there is a review by The Guardian saying: “Early Murakami isn’t Murakami-in-the-making, it’s already and entirely Murakami”
The statement can be either very flattering or entirely dismissive of Murakami’s personal growth and writing development. Equally I understand it and comprehend it at two distinct levels as well. For I do agree with the statement to some extent. Namely it is Murakami’s distinct style that is so entirely itself, which is apparent in the language, the storyline and even in the way the novels are divided. What seems to lack in, my opinion, is some sort of a higher goal. Of course that is partly Murakami’s goal. Nevertheless the word novel, novella and other just don’t fit the works. They are more like chronicles. ( )