lauraborkpower 's review for:

Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche by Haruki Murakami

4.0

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I recently re-read this book because I'm teaching it in one of my composition classes. My students reacted so well to it and gave me a lot of new things to think about. They also all agreed that Part 2 interviewing the cult members not directly involved with the attack was unnecessary and not as compelling or well structured as Part 1 (with the victims). I agree with their assessment in part, though I think it's a necessary part of the story. Just be aware of the two different parts and decide for yourself!

Update February 15: Read it again and it got better. Murakami's prefaces and afterword for part 1 are brilliant, humble, and just plain beautiful.