Underground is a novel written by Haruki Murakami. It was first published in Japan in 1999 and translated into English in 2001. The book tells the story of Satoru Nishimi, a fifteen-year-old boy who joins a religious cult called Aum Shinrikyo by joining its inner circle.
Murakami draws parallels between the silent mass suicide at the end of World War II and the attacks on Tokyo. He conducts an investigative report from his personal experiences with the perpetrators, as well as interviews over 100 people whom he has communicated with over time. The book’s scope includes a range of topics such as the psychological effects of terrorist acts, the relationship between individual and society, and how technology affects communication.
Underground is a best-selling novel by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, published in English translation in 1995. The book was one of Murakami’s earliest major works, and was one of the first successful works in a new genre known as “suspense fiction” by Japanese authors. The book also sparked controversy for its depiction of violence, dealing with themes such as terrorism and emotional repression.
About Underground Book
In a journalistic style, Murakami presents the story behind the Tokyo gas attack by the Aum Shinrikyo cult on March 20, 1995. In the first part, he interviews victims, while in the second, he focuses on the perpetrators.
Haruki Murakami presents the story behind the Tokyo gas attack by cult member Shoko Asahara in this fictional tour de force. Murakami takes readers on a tour of Shinjuku station in Tokyo, where six people were killed and thousands more were injured in an explosion believed to be undetectable by human senses. The author discusses all aspects of human behavior, from those who survived the incident to the police investigators who promised to find the culprits.
