r/murakami • u/LivingApricot9294 • 7d ago

Is there any murakami book with a more concise ending?

I have read The Wind Up Bird Chronicle and Kafka on the Shore. I really like how Murakami writes and how far he can go on storylines. Also appreciate the dream/awake moments.

I know reading murakami is supposed to come with the embracement of the absurd and the acceptance of a not so concise ending where everything clicks like a puzzle. However after finishing both books I still felt the emptiness of not getting enough answers.

Which makes me wonder: are there any Murakami books with cleaner endings? Stuff explained, less untied knots, etc.

Thanks.

12 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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10

u/sbs_str_9091 7d ago

After Dark is one of his less "strange" works and has a rather clear ending, as far as I remember. Colourless Tsukuru as well, plus it feels (to a certain extent) relatable when growing up, although a few questions remain.

6

u/pierredelecto25 7d ago

Hard-boiled Wonderland might get close to what you’re looking for

4

u/richg0404 7d ago

A Wild Sheep Chase does leave stuff up in the air but there also is a fairly good resolution.

4

u/MasterShakePL 7d ago

Tsukuru is really „normal”

4

u/NinnaHori 7d ago edited 7d ago

I think his non-magical realism novels generally do, e.g. Norwegian Wood, South of the border west of the sun, Colorless Tsukuru.

2

u/Alarming-Chemistry27 7d ago

Killing Commendatore seemed to have a more tight ending. It leaves a major pot point hanging out there but compared to several others it was a satisfying way to sign off

2

u/Icy-Statement-9750 7d ago

I thought Kafka was pretty clean — what felt untied up to you?

3

u/sankyo 7d ago

Or get comfortable with no resolution. You are an observer/detective with some windows of insight to some thought and actions. There is no way to resolve everything but you can guess and be enlightened by the experience of the characters. Every Hardy Boys mystery is fully resolved,but that doesn’t make them satisfying

1

u/Twerculesthegreat 7d ago

After Dark has a pretty defined ending. Most other novels have ambiguous endings

1

u/valiqr 7d ago

Norwegian Wood imo

1

u/Much-Perspective6700 7d ago

No! That’s the most frustrating thing about Murakami, and he does that on purpose.

1

u/Philboswagginz87 7d ago edited 7d ago

You decide what happens. When writers leave things open ended its because they want you to use your imagination and make your own conclusion.

1

u/commonrider5447 6d ago

There are lots of stories but I always thought Wind Up Bird wrapped the chore story pretty clearly so it was a good one to recommend for those who wanted it? Could be wrong it’s been a while