Something that most critics agree on is this major theme. Magic realist literature tends to read at an intensified level. Taking One Hundred Years of Solitude, the reader must let go of pre-existing ties to conventional exposition, plot advancement, linear time structure, scientific reason, etc., to strive for a state of heightened awareness of life's connectedness or hidden meanings. Luis Leal articulates this feeling as "to seize the mystery that breathes behind things,"[32] and supports the claim by saying a writer must heighten his senses to the point of "estado limite" ('limit state' or 'extreme') in order to realize all levels of reality, most importantly that of mystery.[33]
You'd think it would be impossible to obtain such a keen idea of a scent without actually using your nose, but Süskind's novel shows that in the right hands you can. His historical fantasy, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, delves into the world of fragrance through a man who has a keen affinity for it. Growing up as an orphan in Paris, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille has no desire to follow a conventional path in life. Rather, he is infatuated by his exceptional sense of smell, and makes it his mission to become the greatest perfumer in history. His obsession with finding the most unsurpassed scent leads to some callous actions (namely murder), but Süskind relays his journey in a way that keeps you deeply entranced by both his character and his work. Long-lasting perfumes are wonderful, but this book is guaranteed to linger on the mind for much longer than anything ever could on the skin. Faye Fearon
sense raw haruki vol 5 18
Set in the Irish Midlands in the 1850s The Wonder is inspired by the true cases of 'fasting girls'. A psychological thriller about a child's murder threatening to happen in slow motion before our eyes, it pits all the seductions of fundamentalism against sense and love, and is a searing examination of what nourishes us, body and soul.
In recent years, reading and studying on electronic devices has become more common. Although electronic devices have benefited mankind tremendously, they cause eyestrain and headaches1,2 and lead to poor reading comprehension3,4. The link between visual environment and cognitive performance has been reported in basic research5,6. The decline in comprehension when reading from an electric device might be due to poor concentration levels or different sensory processing circuits, which might be associated with physiological states, including brain and physiological activity levels. Even if the content of the text is the same, reading comprehension may be different depending on the visual context. Because vision has a dominant influence on other senses when it comes to sensory integration or cross-modality7,8,9, visual input might also affect brain state and physiological condition. As such, brain activity and physiological changes likely exist as mediating variables in the relationship between the visual environment and cognitive performance.
We focused on respiration and brain activity as potential mediators. Previous research indicates that overactivity in the brain is associated with poor narrative content comprehension10,11,12. Many studies have reported associations between respiration and various cognitive functions. In these studies, a reciprocal relationship between respiration and cognitive function was found. Respiration is affected by cognitive load13,14 or emotion (stress and anxiety)15, which alters the depth and rhythm of breathing. Conversely, respiratory patterns affect frontal cortex and hippocampus functions and, consequently, the formation of memories16,17,18. Attention to breathing has also been shown to enhance memory performance19. Furthermore, brain activity is entrained to the respiratory cycle20. However, no studies have examined the relationship between the visual environment and respiration. According to inter-sensory integration mechanisms, it is known that visual information can alter information from other senses (touch, taste, smell, and auditory). However, information from other senses rarely affects visual sense7,8,9. These findings indicate that vision is dominant over other senses, and it is quite possible that visual environments influence various functions including that of the respiratory system.
Prior to my read, I used to be able to read books in a single sitting. I would get lost for hours and devour whichever book I was holding. Norwegian Wood changed me in the sense that ever since I started reading that book, I have been unable to finish something in one go. I wanted to savor the story and bathe in it and never leave. I did not know a story could suck me in like this. I would read a couple pages at a time, because I did not want it to end: that is how beautifully written this story is.
I read Dance Dance Dance before the trilogy, so a lot did not make sense to me back then. Even though I have not had the chance to reread it yet, I do feel like a lot more has become clear to me. I highly recommend everyone to read Dance Dance Dance AFTER reading the trilogy. I think the whole set of four books from this trilogy are about death. This might sound obvious, especially considering the scene with the six skeletons, but there is more to my theory. I think our protagonist has been dead all along: that would explain how the whole storyline evolves from being very realistic in Hear the Wind Sing (#6) to spiritual in Dance Dance Dance. Admittedly, this is a theory that would require in-depth analysis and more rereading, but I do think I am onto something.
The thing about Murakami is that his writing style is very easy to follow and his stories are even easier to get lost in. He is capable of writing stories filled with emotions and unexpected twists that still make sense and do not feel out of place. Reading a Murakami gives me a thrill. He manages to teach his readers about the various phases of life without making these lessons taste bland, cliché, or obvious. His idea of romance is not toe-curling or sappy, but very organic and relatable. He creates characters that have multiple dimensions to them despite the fact that he presents them as very plain. Minor female characters like May or even bigger female characters such as Midori have stolen my heart because of their quirkiness and vision. Murakami makes me feel when I read and appreciate the details of life, which is why I consider him one of my heroes. 2ff7e9595c
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