Hi, all,

Up till now, I thought the strangest Japanese novel I'd ever read was
"The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" by Haruki Murakami*. I'm reading
"Sayonara, Gangsters" by Genichiro Takahashi, which reads more like the
diary of a pre-schizophrenic than a novel. I recommend them both
highly, if you're into getting your brains scrambled. I would say
Murakami's closer to Kafka with some Joe Frank thrown in. Takahashi
reminds me of Kurt Vonnegut, jr.with bits of Fire Sign Theatre (or is
it Fire Sign Theatre with bits of Vonnegut?). I haven't finished the
book yet... so this is just a post card from the middle of the trip.

Looking forward to your suggestions for more fun-house type reads
(manga, anime, and movies too).

*Mind you, this is not the same Murakami who wrote "69," "Audition,"
and "Coin Locker Babies." That's Ryu Murakami, no relation, same age
cohort.

miriam