sacin's review against another edition
5.0
It's been about a minute since I read the last sentence of this book. A very simple sentence, not one that inspires or depresses all that much and yet I'm left with this sense of awe, over the course of this masterwork I've experienced so much. Just looking back on it is so divine and otherworldly, it's true unlike any piece of art I've ever experienced. It's a sprawling epic, and yet it's such a simple story. If this wasn't a novel and someone were to just observe Toru Okada's life play out — all they'd see a sad and peculiar man looking for a place in this world. But from his perspective, this story is the biggest one ever written. Give this one a read! It contains none of Murakami's failings as an author and perfectly displays what his abilities are and it also captures what you can do with "magical realism". First book that I think I could confidently give 5 stars and I'm glad it's this one.
r2wend2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
2.0
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle started is an intriguing mystery. I found myself wondering what was going on in this world and how all the divergences were interconnected. It was captivating and interesting. But by the end I was disappointed. Major characters were introduced who then vanished. Their motives were completely omitted from the novel and by the second half I found myself wishing for it to just end.
I'd expected that given the length of this book there would be time for resolution. Instead the story just continued to get more and more convoluted and the final wrap-up didn't provide the reward that I was looking for in sticking with the book. The protagonist's weird journey is kind of resolved, but the side characters are just set pieces to enhance his story. They conveniently show up, offer and air of mystery and then are largely forgotten. The forays into the past are interesting, and perhaps that's why the side characters were inserted but nothing wraps up neatly. Yes, the past affects us all, but after spending hours reading about events that had previously happened as they affected side characters lives to just have the side characters discarded and not tightly couple these events back to the plot was a bit frustrating.
Don't get me wrong, the back stories were interesting and the side characters telling them were also interesting. But they way that they are conveniently inserted into the life of the protagonist leaves room for their stories to be more interconnected - or for the connections to be stronger.
I'd expected that given the length of this book there would be time for resolution. Instead the story just continued to get more and more convoluted and the final wrap-up didn't provide the reward that I was looking for in sticking with the book. The protagonist's weird journey is kind of resolved, but the side characters are just set pieces to enhance his story. They conveniently show up, offer and air of mystery and then are largely forgotten. The forays into the past are interesting, and perhaps that's why the side characters were inserted but nothing wraps up neatly. Yes, the past affects us all, but after spending hours reading about events that had previously happened as they affected side characters lives to just have the side characters discarded and not tightly couple these events back to the plot was a bit frustrating.
Don't get me wrong, the back stories were interesting and the side characters telling them were also interesting. But they way that they are conveniently inserted into the life of the protagonist leaves room for their stories to be more interconnected - or for the connections to be stronger.
valerief's review against another edition
2.0
Everyone raves about Murakami, so I figured I would give him a second chance after Norwegian Wood. This book took me what felt like an eternity to read. The only good thing I have to say is that he discusses events during WWII that it seems the Japanese are not as willing to acknowledge.
anicea's review against another edition
4.0
I've been thinking of this book a lot in the last week-and-half since I finished it, and am amazed to find that as beautiful as it reads (which is very beautiful), it is still a grower. This is my first Murakami, and I love the way he finds beauty in the mundane, in the simple things. There are moments, just paragraphs, that made my heart fall through my chest when I read them, and it would be silly to try to describe the passages themselves, but as time wears on that feeling just grows, like my love for this book does...
The friend who lent me this book told me that 'not much happens', but I think that he was wrong - there is a persistent longing in Okada's quest for Kumiko that drives this book forward, but also a slow simplicity that allows every sentence to be relished. Easy five stars.
The friend who lent me this book told me that 'not much happens', but I think that he was wrong - there is a persistent longing in Okada's quest for Kumiko that drives this book forward, but also a slow simplicity that allows every sentence to be relished. Easy five stars.
kpopzter's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
butterflystrawberry's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
megaclite's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
directorpurry's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Animal death, Blood, Death, Medical content, Injury/injury detail, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, Gun violence, and Rape
Moderate: Abortion
kimblackman's review against another edition
5.0
A classic book within the Haruki Murakami universe, with themes ranging from finding your purpose in life, to reincarnation, to Japanese history & the signature brand of Murakami quirk/sexual undertones. This is one of my more favorite books from his catalog. Highly recommend.