Reviews with content warning for Adult/minor relationship - Kafka en la orilla

This really is one of my favourite books if you skim over the oedipus complex. The incest and weird sexual moments felt extremely unnecessary and uncomfortable, and felt like it was a jarring insert in the books most of the time. Otherwise its a really beautiful book focused on the complexities of consciousness, individual experiences, and growing pains. Although Murakami heavily lacks in understanding or respecting of women in his books (which honestly i just feel numb to at this point.) Its pleasant to see how he handles trans identities and mental disabilities with care, considering this was written a couple decades ago.

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thequiltyreader's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Having finished this book I don't quite know what to make of it. I think I enjoyed it, it certainly kept me reading. I found it slow but intriguing. I also however felt there was unnecessary overuse of violence and sexual content. I was wondering how it was all going to come together in the end but I felt I got to the end and had no idea what happened. I think I need some time to dwell on the book and what I think of it.

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marsmartis's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

The sex scenes become more justified the more the book advances, but it still feels like not good enough of a reason for them to be there, let alone so detailed, let alone incest and rape.

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atabit's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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katsa6's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

Murakami is one of the most bizarre writers. On one hand he has some of the most poignant and beautiful prose then on the other he says some of the most disturbing and disgusting stuff that seems to make absolutely no sense in context to the story. Seems being the operative word. I'm sure there is a reason for it all but I'm not gunna study in depth for it. Nakata was a very unique character and without him I would have DNF'd this book as I absolutely hated Kafka.

Spoiler

he was so obsessed with his penis and sex. I get that its all some bizarre curse obscure stuff but did he really think that "dream" raping his sister and mother was supposed to be done with no consequences because it was "fated/cursed" to happen. I will probably give Murakami one more shot but really dont see what the hype is about.....

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