Murakami on the Shore

(While I was on a mini holiday on the beach in Shimoda, I finally cracked open some overdue summer reading.)

“I’ve always been conscientious about my work, and I’ve never had any major problems with my clients. I’m proud of this, as a professional. I’m happy with my private life, too. I have a lot of friends, and have stayed healthy up till now. I’m enjoying life. But still these days I’ve often wondered, Who in the world am I? And very seriously at that. If you took away my career ... and the happy environment I’m living in, and threw me out into the world, with no explanation, and with everything stripped away—what in the world would I be?”

– AN INDEPENDENT ORGAN, HARUKI MURAKAMI