A Wild Sheep Chase

A Wild Sheep Chase was definitely an interesting read! Although, I thought the story started off slow didn't understand why the book was called A Wild Sheep Chase, I soon couldn't stop reading it and it became very apparent why the book holds that title. Murakami is a very strange author. The way this book is laid out is very different from any other story I've ever read. I thought it was a strange choice to not name any of the characters throughout the entire story. I liked how every part introduced a new character that the narrator had to encounter. The sheep that the narrator ends up looking for is this paranormal-like being that takes on hosts in order to influence them. The novel has a constant theme of identity which is why I'm assuming Murakami didn't give any of the characters names. The sheep would take over characters and then their identity would be challenged if not taken. In the story, the Sheep Professor wonders how much of himself is him and how much is the sheep. The Rat takes on many different identities as he moves from place to place. The narrator admits that he forgot he even had a name after the Chauffeur says the name of the cat in the novel. This theme of identity really made me think about how important it really is. The narrator doesn't seem to think so and even goes so far as to question the importance of names. I feel that when one has a strong sense of their identity that they are more likely to be more sure of who they are. I think that in search of the sheep this is something that changes in the narrator. As he comes across friends from the past and other characters who are having identity crises, I think it helped change him for the better. He starts off the book as this dull character. He is self absorbed and mediocre in every way. But in the end of the book, the narrator faces his weaknesses head on and is able to overcome the sheep. This book was about change and identity and it was a really good read I think it makes you as the reader self reflect a little bit and think about how comfortable you are with yourself and with change.

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