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squizzyglizzy's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The characters’ thoughts and relationships reflect the feeling of longing, love, loneliness, and loss. There’s lowkey a love “circle,” like the narrator (K) loves Sumire romantically, but Sumire and Miu loves each other (and Sumire loves K,
but in my mind her feelings are platonic towards him). Miu is that girl no wonder Sumire went gay for her 💁♀️ but I feel bad for what Miu went through 😿 and then there’s K lol. Bro is down bad but he doesn’t mind it as long as Sumire is still his BFF. There are also aspects of surrealism where people travel or see visions from a different realistic “world.” Felt like I was easily immersed when reading this book because it’s a very “in the moment” type of book.
but in my mind her feelings are platonic towards him).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
robinks's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
As far as I know, this is the only Murakami novel with queer representation, so that’s why I decided to give it a read. The lesbian sexual content was definitely written for the male gaze, and it was mostly nonconsensual, which is problematic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, and Stalking
Moderate: Infidelity, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death
mollyfmurphy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Deftly weaves a story of love, friendship, loneliness, trauma, and creativity. I loved how it combined beautiful tangible descriptions of character and place with more surreal elements. I’ve never read anything quite like it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Animal death and Infidelity
abbivaux's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
paradicsomleves's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
valkyrie12's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
baruss666's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
ccassandra_travel's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I'm not 100% sure how I feel about it so I will come back to edit this.
When I finished this book, it took me a minute to know what I felt.
I really liked the first half and the depiction of loneliness and desire. The plot was also interesting. However in the second half, I think I lost a bit my way, I wasn't sure where this was going and I thought some the passages were not necessary and made me a bit uncomfortable.
The writing style is beautiful and the description of the feelings and emotions really acurate.
I think this book from him was just not for me, maybe I'll read some others and be surprised.
I really liked the first half and the depiction of loneliness and desire. The plot was also interesting. However in the second half, I think I lost a bit my way, I wasn't sure where this was going and I thought some the passages were not necessary and made me a bit uncomfortable.
The writing style is beautiful and the description of the feelings and emotions really acurate.
I think this book from him was just not for me, maybe I'll read some others and be surprised.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
caseyreadslol's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
someone needs to make murakami mad libs. maybe me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
theotherallie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault