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louiseimaquarium's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
It was also very annoying that Toru had to sleep with EVERY woman in this book??
The whole Reiko storyline was so so weird
This book didn't make me feel a lot. But I had an okayish time reading it
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death and Suicide
ahnminjim's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Minor: Infertility, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Sexual harassment
ninaaaaa's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment
libbymoony's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, and Sexual harassment
marinarc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Ableism
krxshan'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
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Sexual harassment
rebeccabattin'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? It's complicated
2.0
Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
mimosakettunen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Lesbophobia, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
emisbooks'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
2.5
Toru was a pain at times. He was a typical self-loathing, tiresome man. The coming of age aspect wasn't very strong because I felt there was little character development. I struggled to picture him as anything but a sad, middle-aged man despite him being 19-20.
There was far too much s*ic*de in this book, not that it was personally triggering to me, but it was just an overdone plot device. I felt like everyone was dying at their own hand with little explanation. We never found out why Kizuki committed, nor Nakao's sister, nor Hatsumi - though I have my assumptions as to why she did it, it was left unanswered. Naoko's death occurring made sense as her mental health was actually explored, but everything else felt like it was being used just to make Toru's life more sad without any reasoning.
I didn't like how everyone was cheating on their partners. Nagasawa was a terrible boyfriend, I kept forgetting that Midori even had a boyfriend considering she was so attached to Toru and giving him sexual favours all the time, and Toru was torn between two girls whilst also sleeping with strangers. Why did no one actually love anyone in this book? Hatsumi seemed to be the only one who actually had respect for her partner and wasn't cheating 24/7 like everyone else. Hatsumi's ending was rushed and I wanted to know more about her. The constant disloyalty in relationships in this book makes me realise that none of them were really good people after all.
As for things I did enjoy, my favourite character was Hatsumi. Though she was rarely brought up, I loved her personality and she felt like a good person. She definitely deserved a better boyfriend. Nagasawa treated her awfully. I'm glad she stuck up for herself after so long of being pushed to the side by him. Murakami's writing style is wonderful and I enjoyed the similies and descriptions he used. The pace of the book was alright considering the chapters were so long. The characters felt very realistic.
Overall, an average book. It's unlikely that I will read it again any time soon. For anyone who wants to read this, be prepared for a slightly annoying main character. Also check the content warnings before you read.
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Sexual harassment
libbyuma's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment