Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World (世界の終わりとハードボイルド・ワンダーランド, sekai no owari to hādoboirudo wandārando) is a 1985 novel by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami. A strange, dreamlike novel, chapters alternate between two bizarre seemingly unrelated narratives.

Related Topics:
1985 - Novel - Japan - Haruki Murakami

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The odd numbered chapters take place in the ?Hard-Boiled Wonderland,? where the narrator is a ?Calcutec,? a human data processor/encryption system that uses the unique characteristics of his or her mind as the encryption key. The Calcutecs (perhaps short for Calculating Technician) work for the quasi-governmental System, as opposed to the criminal Semiotecs who work for the Factory and who are generally fallen Calcutecs. The relationship between the two groups is simple: the Calcutecs protect data, typically by. The Semiotecs try to steal data. The narrator completes work for a mysterious scientist, who is exploring ?sound reduction.? He works within a laboratory protected by a series of labyrinths within Tokyo?s sewer system. This setting borrows heavily from cyberpunk.

Related Topics:
Encryption - Tokyo - Sewer - Cyberpunk

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The other set of chapters deals with a newcomer to a strange, walled-off town far away from other civilization - it is depicted in a map as being surrounded by forest - and which is called "the End of the World". The character, in the process of being accepted into the village, has his shadow cut off. He becomes the resident "dreamreader" and goes to the Library every evening to read dreams from the skulls of the unicorns that live in the city with the help of the Librarian.

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In both narratives, none of the characters are named, which is somewhat typical of Murakami?s work. They are referred to by their occupation or a general description, such as "the librarian" or "the big guy."

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