No matter how clear things might become in the forest of story, there was never a clear-cut solution, as there was in math. The role of a story was, in the broadest terms, to transpose a problem into another form. Depending on the nature and the direction of the problem, a solution might be suggested in the narrative. Tengo would return to the real world with that solution in hand. It was like a piece of paper bearing the indecipherable text of a magic spell. It served no immediate practical purpose, but it contained a possibility.
Haruki MurakamiWhat's really important here," I whispered loudly to myself,"is not the big things other people have thought up, but the small things you, yourself have
Haruki MurakamiSymbolism and meaning are two separate things. I think she found the right words by bypassing procedures like meaning and logic. She captured words in a dream, like delicately catching hold of a butterflyโs wings as it flutters around. Artists are those who can evade the verbose.
Haruki MurakamiJudging the mistakes of strangers is an easy thing to do - and it feels pretty good.
Haruki Murakami