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erikajoy's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Grief
danielleboldry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Grief
thislunarbeauty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer
julia_rose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
I really liked it and I think it’ll be a book that sticks with me. I can already tell it’s going to need a lot of processing to fully digest. For people who need plot I wouldn’t recommend, but I’m impressed how Murakami didn’t make me bored nonetheless.
I had my eyes peeled for the subliminal sexism the whole time and admittedly I didn’t spot what the fuss was about until the closing scene which was an eye roll moment for me. So minus points for that, but overall still one of my favourite reads of the year so far.
On the Trigger Warnings: There are a lot of suicides for one book, but I wouldn’t consider any of them described in graphic detail. For each one, the method of death is stated but not described after.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Suicide
Minor: Sexual violence
ur_moms_fav_child's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
klaralyle's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
jessiemcg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
sinfell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have read several of Murakami’s stories, but I feel his more realistic works have their own sort of surrealism to it that any fantastical plot points feels completely unnecessary.
Plus Midori is in this book, so that should be reason enough to give it 5 stars.
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
bella613's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
I didn't love this book the way I loved Killing Commendatore. It was not quite what I expected, especially after hearing it was this book that exploded Murakami into fame. But I did connect with it. As it is with Murakami, there are some uncomfortable sections of the book. But there are some uncomfortable moments in life, so... it's sort of beautiful that he captures it so intensely?
I found myself most drawn to Naoko in this story. Midori as a character is someone I would probably not enjoy spending time with in real life, but added to the story in a mostly positive way. I didn't like Toru much in the same way that one might not like oneself. Listening from his pov felt like looking back on one's own life and seeing all the flaws and mistakes and self-centered choices that were made. But he was very real. That's one thing I also love about Murakami: his main characters feel undeniably real. He's not great at writing women, but since he usually writes from a male ego perspective, this doesn't bother me nearly as much as it seems to bother others. Read any contemporary romance and you'll see that most women are terrible at writing men, too.
My favorite part of the book was probably the long letter describing the sanatorium and the following visit to the sanatorium.
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
esv_'s review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Car accident