souperswagster's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
andreadyba's review against another edition
3.0
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of this book, which is why I’m giving it three stars and not one, though that’s probably what it deserves. I’ve read enough Murakami by now to know a few things like:
1. His stories often don’t make sense.
2. His stories often don’t go anywhere.
3. He’s obsessed with sex.
So I knew what I was in for, and I’m mostly okay with that as long as it stays interesting. His writing style and philosophical discussion is captivating enough to forgive a lot of sins, but not this time. This book took a weird and disgusting turn about halfway through. It’s bad enough that a fifty-year-old woman has sex with a fifteen-year-old boy, but I draw the line at incest. It’s even worse when you try to justify it.
1. His stories often don’t make sense.
2. His stories often don’t go anywhere.
3. He’s obsessed with sex.
So I knew what I was in for, and I’m mostly okay with that as long as it stays interesting. His writing style and philosophical discussion is captivating enough to forgive a lot of sins, but not this time. This book took a weird and disgusting turn about halfway through. It’s bad enough that a fifty-year-old woman has sex with a fifteen-year-old boy, but I draw the line at incest. It’s even worse when you try to justify it.
tripleslick's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.0
tatoopette's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
damieu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
The single best thing I have read in my life. It cultivates a feeling in you that is impossible to describe.
notrg's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
jackiedreadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
haniah's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
feeling... conflicted. i wish i knew i was getting into a book where the story follows a boy who is prophesized to sleep with his mom and sister. that would have been nice to know before, rather than finding out midway through and being like,, oh. the writing can be beautiful, but I find murakami to be so clinical (for lack of a better word) when it comes to dialogue. Idk if its the translation or what, but every time characters interact I am just like huh people don't talk this way. ESPECIALLY when those people are women. i've said it before and i will say it again. murakami cannot write women.
that being said, it was a beautifully confusing book that continued to compel me. I was slightly disgusted but needed to finish it to see how the stories intertwined. and you know what? they barely did. the ending was so confusing, and almost unsatisfying, but it still intrigued me. so back to my original point, i feel conflicted. I think this is definitely a book you read twice, but I almost got fined by the library for having this book out for too long so it is not in the cards for me to read this twice now.
that being said, it was a beautifully confusing book that continued to compel me. I was slightly disgusted but needed to finish it to see how the stories intertwined. and you know what? they barely did. the ending was so confusing, and almost unsatisfying, but it still intrigued me. so back to my original point, i feel conflicted. I think this is definitely a book you read twice, but I almost got fined by the library for having this book out for too long so it is not in the cards for me to read this twice now.
pedroelizabeth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Incest, Abandonment, Cursing, Transphobia, Death, Sexual content, and Medical content