mistermetadata's review against another edition
4.0
In some ways found me at the perfect time, in others it found me ten years too late. Kind of what the book is about, I think.
tavi_vse's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
cheyenneisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Murakami is always using his imagination to the extreme. Kafka on the shore is remarkable in the way that it draws you away from reality and allows you to confront a new sense of the term. This was a captivating, strange yet still wonderful novel to leisurely enjoy. Actually all of Mutakami's books I have read so far have that affect. His characters are both simple but their stories are extremely complex.
piccola_el's review against another edition
5.0
Another book to be stored in the "books I wish I wrote" shelf.
rchrissi's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
- Strong character development? No
3.75
mknobloch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ashhes's review against another edition
3.0
Finally I never have to hear about Kafka's dick again
So I'll be honest this book wasn't bad. I don't regret reading it but I can't look past some very obvious issues for me personally. I don't know why he had to have sex with a 50 year old woman and his mom (?) at that. And there was also his potential sister that was way too old for him as well and then he raped her in a dream why?? I just hated Kafka throughout the book which isn't necessarily a bad thing if it's intentional but I feel like it wasn't. On another note it was really cool that there was a trans character but the way characters kept referring to him as a woman was unnecessary. Maybe there was something off in the translation but I didn't think it was handled very well. I don't hate this book at all but it's not something I would ever reread. There were parts of the story that I really enjoyed, like the talking cats and the whole mystery of what happened with Nakata. Pretty much his whole story line is what kept me reading the book. Okay that's enough complaining for me I definitely will be checking out Murakami's other books soon!
So I'll be honest this book wasn't bad. I don't regret reading it but I can't look past some very obvious issues for me personally. I don't know why he had to have sex with a 50 year old woman and his mom (?) at that. And there was also his potential sister that was way too old for him as well and then he raped her in a dream why?? I just hated Kafka throughout the book which isn't necessarily a bad thing if it's intentional but I feel like it wasn't. On another note it was really cool that there was a trans character but the way characters kept referring to him as a woman was unnecessary. Maybe there was something off in the translation but I didn't think it was handled very well. I don't hate this book at all but it's not something I would ever reread. There were parts of the story that I really enjoyed, like the talking cats and the whole mystery of what happened with Nakata. Pretty much his whole story line is what kept me reading the book. Okay that's enough complaining for me I definitely will be checking out Murakami's other books soon!
sweetchoas's review against another edition
4.0
This book felt like a fever dream. Surreal, weird at times, strangely addictive & beautiful.
Reading it was definitely an amazing experience and I felt completely immersed.
Murakami makes the unusual feel usual, irrationality feel rational.
I had so many emotions after reading the last page, overwhelmed by the beauty of Murakami’s storytelling, its strangeness and that feeling of not having understood anything while having in fact understood.
I’m getting some sort of melancholy, even sadness thinking back at it. Like I actually lived this very story and it has now come to an end.
Definitely a great book.
Reading it was definitely an amazing experience and I felt completely immersed.
Murakami makes the unusual feel usual, irrationality feel rational.
I had so many emotions after reading the last page, overwhelmed by the beauty of Murakami’s storytelling, its strangeness and that feeling of not having understood anything while having in fact understood.
I’m getting some sort of melancholy, even sadness thinking back at it. Like I actually lived this very story and it has now come to an end.
Definitely a great book.
mankickingbaby's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
annikamcgraw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25