Coin Locker Babies

The strange and fun journey through the lives of two boys abandoned in train station coin lockers at birth. More engaging story than Almosy Transparent Blue, the only other Ryu Murakami book I've read, although the language (possibly because of translation) isn't at the same level.

It is hard to describe this book without giving the plot away. Yet, I can say that once you start reading this book it will be hard to put down. I read that there was a movie in the works for this book but I have not heard anything about it for a while now. Its probably better that they don't turn this book into a movie. It will take away its intensity. The translation of this book is pretty good for the most part but every once in a while you will come up with something that might sound a little bit off. If you have lived in Japan before or are famliar with Japanese culture this will make sense to you. If you are not these minor things do not affect the story overall. This book is very graphic and some of the violence and even the sexual acts in here might gross some people out. Keep in mind this is the same writer that gave us Audition and Almost Transparent Blue. I recommend this book 100%. Ryu Murakami is awesome!

I first heard of this book when Michael Wong, of Ideagist, visited my Japanese Literature Challenge 2 blog and asked me if I had a copy. I told him I'd buy him one, which I did, but when it arrived from amazon.com I had to see what it was about. After reading a few pages, I ordered him another, and sat down to immerse myself in this story. Like so much Japanese literature I've read, there's a quality of fantasy that's hard to put one's finger on. Is it the author's imagination run wild? Or, as in a John Irving novel, is the bizarre not so bizarre after all? Somehow, after the first hundred or so pages, the reader doesn't even mind if strange creatures come into the characters' lives, or absurd thoughts present themselves to the characters' stream of consciousness. It all seems perfectly natural, somehow, in a piece of well written literature. Coin Locker Babies is about two babies who are abandoned by their mothers in train station coin lockers. "Two troubled boys spend their youth in an orphanage and with foster parents on a semi-deserted island before finally setting off for the city to find and destroy the women who first rejected them. Both are drawn to an area of freaks and hustlers called Toxitown. One becomes a bisexual rock singer, star of this exotic demi-monde, while the other, a pole vaulter, seeks his revenge in the company of his girlfriend, Anemone, a model who has converted her condominium into a tropical swamp for her pet crocodile. Together and apart, their journey from a hot metal box to a stunning, savage climax is a brutal funhouse ride through the eerie landscape of late-twentieth-century Japan." (front cover flap) The theme of abandonment, and the pain that causes, runs throughout this novel. Regardless of culture, or life style choices, the distress which comes from knowing that their mother has left them becomes almost unbearable for these two young men. We see their choices, most of them which are self-destructive, in their pursuit for self-acceptance. Secondary, to me, was the plot line which in itself is enthralling; I chose to dwell on their emotional aspects first rather than the physical ones. This novel looks at what it means to be a child and an abandoned one at that. It is heartbreaking and insightful, especially to those readers who may have been adopted themselves. Regardless of culture, regardless of age, regardless of reason, being adopted is painful. Yet there is comfort in exploring the issue, in knowing that other adoptees have similar feelings. I found this an incredibly profound work, as well as a fascinating look into the Japanese world.

I’d been waiting years to find this book. Years of reading reviews about how the story is quintessential foreign fiction - and maybe it is - I found it a haul to get through - and more than a wee bit fantastical - as in fantasy of every day events as seen through the deranged viewpoint of boys who were abandoned in a coin locker by their mother. I’m not sure what I was expecting- something with a quicker pace maybe? As always, the fault lays upon this reader, not the book. I had unrealistic expectations, or I just wasn’t ready for the story. I’ll try it again though.

One of the stranger books I've ever read. Murakami doesn't disappoint. Bizarre characters and situations abound. The rough and tumble narrative purrs along at a steady pace and it wears it's 80's punk lit credentials like a badge of honor. Not a classic but a good and fun read.

Severely twisted tale of two boys who ended up in the adoption process in Japan, only to embark on wildly different and interesting lives before they decide to take vengeance on the mothers who abandoned them inside coin lockers when they were infants. Truly imaginative, vividly written novel with the highest recommendation to anyone with an interest in Japanese culture or a fascination with dark, unpredictable stories. Highest recommendation!!! Murakami's IN THE MISO SOUP is also a really kickass book.

Book (used) was in great condition, arrived promptly, and was a weird ass delightful read. Found this more engaging than In the Miso Soup.

I was very excited about getting this book, my first book by Ryu Murakami! So when I got it, I dove right into it. This book has its pros and cons, like most books, of course. First, the characters are so insane but lovable, I find myself (even after finishing the book) thinking about them. This books hows the true grittiness of Tokyo, Japan. Sex, drugs, and music make a perfect match, don't they? Sometimes I DID get annoyed with some of the characters because of their actions, because this book is very twisted, very dark, most of their actions weren't very....good. I couldn't put it down for the first few days, but as I reached towards the middle, I realized: Wow, this book kinda drags on. Yes, the book goes a bit slow, and there can be boring parts...I put the book down for almost two weeks without reading it. Then I picked it back up and became engrossed again. So it took me a little while to finish it. But in the end, the book was fantastic and now I'm a strong supporter of Murakami. Please note that this book is highly disturbing and have sex and drugs in it, so it's not good for children. I know wish they'd make this book into a movie, because I'd definitely watch it! I suggest getting this book if you're into deep, dark, psychological books with meaning. :)