Reviews

Note: I listened to about the first 60% as an audiobook (which was very well done!), but then I realized that I could read it faster than I'd listen to it, so I bought it physically and read the rest.

Very good book, there's a lot a lot to unpack here. Murakami says that it requires multiple readings, and yeah it's very that.

More than anything, it's a very surreal story. And in a way that I very much enjoy, I love stories that throw everything at the wall--some things symbolically, some just for fun. It's very cool.

I finished the book satisfied, but there are still some questions I need to answer, and I'm fine with that.

Even without the more esoteric content, this was a very enjoyable listen/read. I love Nakata and Hoshino and Oshima, all great characters. It's just a good coming of age story at its core, and there's a lot to dig into alongside that.

Some moments like the uh Johnny Walker cat chapter and some of the sex stuff are unpleasant and a bit excessive. But it does all kinda contribute to the flow of the story?

So hang pretty baller book. Will probably read again someday

Content Warnings

sheparmy's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

A coming of age and then some in the style of Murakami. Depression and loneliness are just a couple of themes presented here, along with the mystery and significance of dreams. A wild ride and slow burn, but if you read to the end you will feel like a part of yourself has been changed. A handful of very weird parts but overall a beautifully crafted story.

jamesroberthershaw's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious reflective 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

2.5

_traveler_'s review against another edition

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mysterious 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

elevnthflr's review against another edition

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4.0

I feel conflicted about the ending. I was on the verge of giving this one 3 stars, but thinking back on this entire reading journey, I was enthralled by Murakami from beginning to about a few pages before the anticlimatic conclusion. My favorite chapters would be from Mr. Nakata and Hoshino’s journey. They are such a great duo and I can’t help but feel taken by their dynamic. So, I’m giving this a 4, all-in-all.

janetpants's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

oliviaquinn's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

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