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The City and its Uncertain Walls: A Reflection on Murakami’s Labyrinth of Closure

Few authors can weave a narrative tapestry as intricate and evocative as Haruki Murakami. For years, I have been captivated by his works, drawn to the way he blurs the boundaries between reality and fantasy. The City and its Uncertain Walls is no exception. While it may not rank among my personal favourites, it lingers in my mind long after the final page – a testament to its provocative themes and enigmatic storytelling. Yet, this lingering comes with frustration, as the ambiguous ending leaves much to the reader’s imagination, a choice that may not satisfy everyone.

Themes: Reality, Fantasy, and the Quest for Closure

If you are familiar with Murakami’s writing style, the themes in this book will feel familiar: reality versus fantasy, life versus death, the juxtaposition of parallel worlds, and the fluid interchange between them. Many reviewers have branded this book as a love story, but I believe that sets the wrong expectation. The City and its Uncertain Walls begins with the thread of an unfulfilled teenage love story but quickly morphs into something far more complex. Think of the narrative as a road trip where the journey matters more than the destination. Here, there is no singular destination – just a series of poignant pit stops.

Subplots and the Frustration of Incomplete Resolutions

The overarching theme that ties the book’s subplots together is the quest for closure. Like in real life, closure doesn’t necessarily equate to happy endings. Instead, it might mean accepting the unattainable and embracing transformation. This raises an essential question: does this make a good story? I’m not so sure. The two love stories in the book frustrated me immensely, as neither seemed to reach any meaningful resolution. However, the book did leave me with much to reflect upon.

Interpretation: Walls as Subconscious Defenses

Here’s how I interpret the story: the walls represent the defensive mechanisms of our subconscious. A walled city could symbolize a mental refuge, a space for “what-ifs,” and a tool for finding resolution and closure. However, as the book’s characters demonstrate, this sanctuary can become a trap. A 40-something man remains fixated on his long-lost teenage lover, frozen in time. A ghost lingers over memories of his deceased wife and child. A young man with unique gifts disappears, spirited away by forces beyond understanding. These characters show that indulging too deeply in fantasy or alternate realities can blur the line between what is real and imagined, potentially trapping us in an endless loop of longing.

The Origins and Evolution of the Story

Originally published in the Japanese literary magazine Bungakukai in 1980, this story was something Murakami refused to republish for decades. Yet, during the pandemic, he revisited and expanded it into The City and its Uncertain Walls. It’s evident that his craftsmanship has evolved over the years. Yet, for all its technical brilliance, the book falls short for me because I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. The lack of likeable characters sometimes left me disengaged from the unfolding story.

Final Thoughts: A Brilliant but Imperfect Journey

The book’s conclusion also feels incomplete. Most subplots are tied up – including the protagonist bidding farewell to his teenage love – but I am unconvinced by his motivation for leaving the walled city. Is his decision driven by a desire to return to his new, asexual girlfriend, who suffers physical pain whenever she has sex with her ex-husband? Is this connection or his new job as head of librarian in a small town enough for him to return to the real world? What is it in for him? And finally, could the narrative delve deeper into this second relationship after the closure of the first? I believe it could and should.

While The City and its Uncertain Walls may not ascend to the ranks of Murakami’s greatest works, it’s undeniably thought-provoking. It challenges readers to confront their own walls, their own refuges, and consider whether they, too, risk losing themselves in the spaces between reality and fantasy.

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