looking for two books

I can't remember the names of either of them, but can give a vague description. The first one is about a man who finds himself in a town that he can't leave, his shadow is taken from him and he is given a job at the library to read the history of the town. There's a forest in the story as well, with a blacksmith or something. His shadow is locked away and tries to get the man to escape with him. The other story all I can remember is that it takes place during the Japanese occupation of Mongolia...I have a feeling one of them may be Haruki Murakami, but they are both in the same style of writing. Any help would be appreciated.

I can't help you, but check with DacaZ at Neomega.. He owns a bookstore, and seems to sell some rare books, also.

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Originally Posted by Koyaanisqatsi

I can't remember the names of either of them, but can give a vague description. The first one is about a man who finds himself in a town that he can't leave, his shadow is taken from him and he is given a job at the library to read the history of the town. There's a forest in the story as well, with a blacksmith or something. His shadow is locked away and tries to get the man to escape with him.

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Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami.

Thanks, figures the only book by him I was pretty sure it wasn't it was, and of course one I don't have. I'm sure the other book was Murakami as well.

The only other book of his I've read is Wild Sheep Chase, and I can definately say that isn't your second book.

I think it is one of the short stories from The Elephant Vanishes.

The first book is definately Hard Boiled Wonderland. As for the second book it's probobly The Wind Up Bird Chronicle, as it has parts relating to the ocupation of Manchura. Actually Im about 90% positive it's wind up bird, which is by the way one of my absolute favorites. They are both in print and should be easy to find, try the library...they kick ass.

Reading Murakami eh? Good for you, spread the word!

Hmmm... these sound interesting? Exactly what genre would you place them in? Worth reading?

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Originally Posted by Tragic

Worth reading?

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Yes. Go buy them. Right now. I swear to god I'll smack you if you don't.

Wild Sheep Chase was good but underwhelming after Hard Boiled Wonderland. I was expecting more after my first read of his so I came away a bit disappointed though it was no fault of the book itself.

Murakami is definately one of my favorite authors. I would strongly reccomend reading Wind-Up Bird, Wild Sheep Chase and Norweigan (sp?) Wood. Then read everything that Vonnegut has ever written, then Huxtley.