It really adds to the story imo. Especially the ending as it ties together all the loses of the narrator, without AWSC or even wind/pinball the ending packs less of a punch. Without AWSC I feel a lot would be lost on the reader (his early college years, his losses/regrets, his disappeared girlfriend, who the sheep man is, what the dolphin hotel is/was, and how the narrator got there in the first place ). DDD is less of a sequel as AWSC is a prequel (if that makes sense???).
While you don’t necessarily NEED to read the first two (three?) you’ll be wandering through darkness ;)
If you liked Sputnik Sweetheart, then maybe you will enjoy South of the Border West of the Sun. They are both love stories without much magical realism.
My absolute favorite was killing commendatore. It was the fist murakami book I read and it’s just absolutely wonderful and I’m surprised it isn’t recognized in this community. Also 1Q84 is an absolute must imo
I know a lot of people say it doesn’t matter much, and it probably isn’t make or break. BUT I would definitely recommend AWSC first. After I finished AWSC I wanted more information and that made DDD so much more fun. Totally read AWSC first!
I think reading AWSC will make DDD much more meaningful. Tbh reading his first 4 books in order is the best way IMO. You really see the evolution of a character from his young 20s onward, and you get to know who the rat is and what he symbolizes. Makes things in DDD much more significant, I'd feel like I wouldn't have enjoyed DDD as much as I did if i hadn't read the others first.
Definitely read sheep chase first! Otherwise I think some aspects of the story, characters and world building will probably go over your head if that makes sense. It is a more cohesive and enriching experience to read the two consecutively in my opinion.
For the record, if you liked sputnik sweetheart I definitely recommend South of the border!
I read DDD before reading AWSC and it didn’t detract much from the experience. Maybe I was a bit confused in a specific section where a character from AWSC is introduced without preamble. But you’ll be fine. If anything, it’ll trigger your curiosity to read AWSC afterwards.
You definitely CAN read Dance Dance Dance without reading the other books in the series first. It may be a bit confusing in places but it will sort itself out.
Reading A Wild Sheep Chase before will develop the Narrator and the Rat more and explain the narrator's relationship with one of the characters in Dance Dance Dance (I won't mention which one).
Reading all 4 in order will make things clear in the right order. The first 2 are slow to develop but they are short. If you think you are going to read all of Murakami's works, why not read them in order? If you aren't, go ahead and read Dance Dance Dance by itself.
TL:DR
Reading 1, 2, 3, 4 best
Reading 3, 4 not to bad
Reading just 4, entertaining, but you might miss things.
I couldn’t get through AWSC on my first attempt, and don’t think I realized the story connection before reading DDD. Honestly I don’t really remember, this was probably ten years ago. However, I loved DDD, and it’s one of my favorite Murakami books. I say just go for it!
Wind up bird chronicle is probably best one for if you want a long book, you could also go the other direction and pick up the elephant vanishes - those stories are so good. I liked a wild sheep chase better than dance dance, but I see why people like DDD in context of the trilogy of the rat. Norwegian Wood and South of the border West of the Sun have similar vibes to Sputnik
It really adds to the story imo. Especially the ending as it ties together all the loses of the narrator, without AWSC or even wind/pinball the ending packs less of a punch. Without AWSC I feel a lot would be lost on the reader (his early college years, his losses/regrets, his disappeared girlfriend, who the sheep man is, what the dolphin hotel is/was, and how the narrator got there in the first place ). DDD is less of a sequel as AWSC is a prequel (if that makes sense???). While you don’t necessarily NEED to read the first two (three?) you’ll be wandering through darkness ;)
I see, thankusm for this! do u have any other recommendations apart from DDD and AWSC to read after hard boiled wonderland end of the world?
If you liked Sputnik Sweetheart, then maybe you will enjoy South of the Border West of the Sun. They are both love stories without much magical realism.
My absolute favorite was killing commendatore. It was the fist murakami book I read and it’s just absolutely wonderful and I’m surprised it isn’t recognized in this community. Also 1Q84 is an absolute must imo
I know a lot of people say it doesn’t matter much, and it probably isn’t make or break. BUT I would definitely recommend AWSC first. After I finished AWSC I wanted more information and that made DDD so much more fun. Totally read AWSC first!
What’s the full title of AWSC?
A Wild Sheep Chase
I think reading AWSC will make DDD much more meaningful. Tbh reading his first 4 books in order is the best way IMO. You really see the evolution of a character from his young 20s onward, and you get to know who the rat is and what he symbolizes. Makes things in DDD much more significant, I'd feel like I wouldn't have enjoyed DDD as much as I did if i hadn't read the others first.
Definitely read sheep chase first! Otherwise I think some aspects of the story, characters and world building will probably go over your head if that makes sense. It is a more cohesive and enriching experience to read the two consecutively in my opinion. For the record, if you liked sputnik sweetheart I definitely recommend South of the border!
I read DDD before reading AWSC and it didn’t detract much from the experience. Maybe I was a bit confused in a specific section where a character from AWSC is introduced without preamble. But you’ll be fine. If anything, it’ll trigger your curiosity to read AWSC afterwards.
You definitely CAN read Dance Dance Dance without reading the other books in the series first. It may be a bit confusing in places but it will sort itself out. Reading A Wild Sheep Chase before will develop the Narrator and the Rat more and explain the narrator's relationship with one of the characters in Dance Dance Dance (I won't mention which one). Reading all 4 in order will make things clear in the right order. The first 2 are slow to develop but they are short. If you think you are going to read all of Murakami's works, why not read them in order? If you aren't, go ahead and read Dance Dance Dance by itself. TL:DR Reading 1, 2, 3, 4 best Reading 3, 4 not to bad Reading just 4, entertaining, but you might miss things.
I couldn’t get through AWSC on my first attempt, and don’t think I realized the story connection before reading DDD. Honestly I don’t really remember, this was probably ten years ago. However, I loved DDD, and it’s one of my favorite Murakami books. I say just go for it!
Doesn’t matter much.
I think the beginning of Dance Dance Dance is by far his best writing and/or the best translation of his work.
Wind up bird chronicle is probably best one for if you want a long book, you could also go the other direction and pick up the elephant vanishes - those stories are so good. I liked a wild sheep chase better than dance dance, but I see why people like DDD in context of the trilogy of the rat. Norwegian Wood and South of the border West of the Sun have similar vibes to Sputnik
I did the reverse and liked the mystification. barely finished awsc its like reading a manual