K, so I finally read A Wild Sheep Chase this week. Although I really loved the story, I got the feeling that there was some mythology that I was missing out on, as if I would have gotten more out of it had I been up to speed on some things that I'm not up to speed on. Is an evil sheep a thing in some Eastern myths? Either way, I couldn't put it down. I read his most recent one the previous week, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage. Wouldn't recommend it, I don't think. But that's the thing; I don't really know. It left me with a feeling like I couldn't tell if I liked it or hated it. I kept turning the pages in anticipation, but then it just kinds of ends with whimper.
Shintoism - that is a big part of any underlying "mythology" you may sense, it also factors into why no characters except the cat (spoiler!) have names. I don't think that there's anything specific about evil sheep in Shinto, however. I like Wild Sheep Chase because I think it's a bit of a mind-bender. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I personally would really like to read Norwegian Wood as I've heard very good things about it.
NW is nothing like his other writings. It lacks the supernatural component that is present in most of his other novels. It's not entirely devoid of metaphysics, but it's first and foremost a love story. You can read it in a weekend if you have some free time, but I doubt it will blow your mind. If you want a love story that also will punch you in the stomach, then read 1Q84. At 1000 pages, it's a bigger commitment than any of his other novels, but the payoff is tenfold. A+.
Nothing against the book, but A Clockwork Orange was one of a very few instances where I have read the novel and seen the movie where the movie comes out way ahead. This isn't to denigrate Burgess, as the book is a very good read, but more a testament to what a fucking freak genius Kubrick is.
I actually specifically want to revisit the slang/slangworld in the book, so you see I have a rather specific reason to reread Clockwork specifically other than, you know, just story. I am reviewing a poetry book for Kenning where the author experiments with words/portmanteaus and it reminded me enough of Clockwork that I wanted to revisit it. I agree however, the movie is fantastic. I saw it long before I read the book and it does remain one of my favorites. Now I am thinking I should rewatch...
You should rewatch, for nothing other than the sake of watching a fantastic movie. As for the slang, it's really interesting to read that book and find that you're reading it with no problem after about 20-30 pages. We're more adaptable than we realize sometimes.