Underground

Historical Context and Significance

The book «Underground» by Haruki Murakami is dedicated to the events related to the terrorist attack in the Tokyo subway carried out by the Aum Shinrikyo cult in 1995. This work is a collection of interviews with victims and participants of these events, as well as with cult members. Murakami aims to understand how and why this tragedy occurred and explores the psychological and social aspects that led to it. The book holds significant cultural and historical importance as it not only documents one of the most shocking events in modern Japanese history but also raises questions about the nature of evil, faith, and human vulnerability. «Underground» has influenced Japanese society by fostering a deeper understanding of terrorism and religious extremism, and it has sparked interest in studying the psychology of cults and their impact on people.