From the Bookshelf of Pick-a-Shelf…

The Elephant Vanishes

Haruki Murakami,

Jay Rubin (Translator),

Alfred Birnbaum (Translator)

Find A Copy At

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Sep 03, 2015 Rosemary rated it liked it · review of another edition

I enjoyed these stories, although not as much as his novels. Favourites were the dancing dwarf, the vanishing elephant and the one about the different Chinese people the main character had known. The stories have two translators - Jay Rubin or Alfred Birnbaum. I found Birnbaum a little too keen to adapt things for the American market - talking about hamburger stands, which I cannot imagine in 1980s Japan, or eating spaghetti, which would surely have been Japanese noodles. Jay Rubin's translation ...more

Like · see review

Mar 20, 2023 Joanna rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: short-stories, rws-2023-spring, 2023-read

These stories were something of a mixed bag. But I always enjoy Murakami's writing and these gave me the chance to revisit his work without committing to a full novel. Also, this book has been sitting on my shelf for far too long.

Only recommended for those who are already Murakami fans looking to read his back catalog. Otherwise, go read Norwegian Wood for a non-fantastical but wonderful story or The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle for a more typical magical Murakami experience. ...more

Like · see review