{...} he made it a rule never to touch a book by any author who had not been dead at least 30 years.That's the only kind of book I can trust, he said.It's not that I don't believe in contemporary literature, he added, but I don't want to waste valuable time reading any book that has not had the baptism of time. Life is too short.
In "Norwegian Wood" by Haruki Murakami, the protagonist reflects on his approach to reading literature. He expresses a strong preference for books written by authors who have been dead for at least 30 years. This principle stems from his belief that only time can validate a work's worth and impact.
He believes that contemporary literature, while potentially valid, lacks the historical perspective that helps sift through transient trends. For him, reading is a precious use of time, and he seeks works that have endured the test of time, providing a trustworthy and meaningful engagement with literature.
