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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.
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, and Stalking
Moderate: Infidelity, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death
sagelikesscats's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The magical realism is very well done and the writing is exquisite. The female characters are objectified but are complex.
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Grief, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Rape and Death of parent
spookily's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death of parent
itsneira's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I finished this book a few weeks ago and wanted to wait to write a review until I got to think about it a little bit more. The thing is, though, that I didn’t really think much of it at all. I was really excited to start reading Murakami because I have heard nothing but great things about his writing, but I don’t think this lived up to what people have said about his works. That’s not to say the book was bad by any means (it was actually quite good), but it was just not what I was expecting. The pacing at the beginning is really slow but it picks up quick and you get pretty attached to the characters. The writing style is great in terms of lyricism and imagery, but I’m not one for mystery, so if I could go back I would start somewhere else with Murakami. Overall, not bad, just not my favorite thing :)
Moderate: Kidnapping and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
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