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fbarros'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
2.0
This book only has death and sex in it, but death is not explored as it should be, and sex is explored too much.
The main character has nothing going for him, and every time a woman appears in his life, it's only to give him sexual pleasure of some kind. The characters aren't lovable or relatable and are vague even though they seem to talk a lot.
The two stars are only given because I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of places as well as the flow of the plot and the way the author writes.
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
bexdot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, Sexism, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
ritte_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexism, and Alcohol
bunitsu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
dizzymissliz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
the writing was genuinely beautiful and the translation had a reflective flow that demonstrated the author's way with words. the only reason my rating is so low is because the book was a bit boring TO ME. i think it was a good book, and i liked the way that toru changed throughout the years. but the treatment of women was really nauseating and the story didnt go anywhere! it was just depressing- in a thoughtful way, ill say that, - and i felt no empathy with any of the characters.
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Toxic relationship
daria_mm's review against another edition
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual harassment
nonorora01'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? No
3.0
Minor: Ableism, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
hapalyn's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual harassment
soleilnigro's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
i did NOT enjoy this novel, and by halfway in, i couldn't get through it without skipping or skimming pages. i can agree that the writing is beautiful in some ways, and that the overall feel of murakami's writing can really immerse the reader, but what he writes ~about~ didn't pull me in at all. this book is filled with misogynistic and pedophilic undertones, and is so clearly made by a man, for men.
<(((SPOILER - basically all of the women in this book are sex objects, and then die.)))>
i didn't feel any emotion while reading this, which sucked as it's meant to be about death and grief. i was and still am disturbed by the abrupt and graphic descriptions of sex, i felt grossed out and uncomfortable because of sex scenes happening directly after tense/sad scenes. trigger warning for tense and upsetting sex scenes, and brief jokes about r*pe.
not much about this book was enjoyable and i don't understand the hype. being talented should never excuse being a misogynist.
if you're interested in a great book about death and grief, i recommend "everything i never told you" by celeste ng.
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape
rebeccajben's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
P.S. it should be noted that Sofia did not enjoy the book she just made me read it bcuz she did and she feels the same way I do. #redeemed
Graphic: Biphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying