Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - La ballade de l'impossible

I am giving my 2 stars for the beautiful writing style (Murakami does have his way with words, at times he's quite poetic) and the general dealings with grief, death and the struggle with mental illness that felt honest and authentic (even though it was also romantisized at times, but I could somehow look past that).

However, the rest of the book (plot, characters, content) is wildly problematic. Murakmai tells a tale of toxic masculinity, meaning that women are constantly objectified and are even objectifying themselves. Sex and sexual content is thrown into every situation, and has its focus in pleasing the male. The average male character has sexual relationships with ALL of the featured female characters, despite not caring for their needs and wants very much. There is another male character that gives off Barney Stinson vibes as in sleeping around with women right, left and center, while having a girlfriend that stays at his side despite everything. What I thought for the majority of the book to be the display of a consentual non-monogomous relationship, turns out in the end to be actually just the men taking what he wants while his girlfriend claims that she has been hurt by his action all these years. But of course, she couldn't leave him. Because she is a passive women in a world that only features passive women.

There is another whole aspect of a grown up women having sexual relations with a minor who she is giving piano lesson. Not only is there a very long and graphic description of their sexual acts, but Murakami presents the situation as if the 13-year-old girl has all the agency and is practically raping the adult women who experiences immense pleasure from it. This is later not judged or frowned upon in any way other than whether the piano teacher is gay or not. Not in any way is she called out for what she is: a paedophile.

Maybe Murakami wants to tell the story of a great male fantasy gone to the extreme. Maybe it is all on purpose. But even then, why is this story necessary? Why repeat and add to all the abuse and objectification of women (and minors)? Is that an acomplishment? Does this look back at society and comment on it cleverly? The reader might decide for themselves but I found it too unrealistic, too much male gazed fantasy, too artificial to make any real commentary on the real world.

Murakami writes beautifully but I do wish that he would write about something else entirely. Therefore, I think I will try another of his books, but will be on the look out for sexist attitudes and weak character building - because I honestly can't make it through another book like this!

Content Warnings

luxicides's review against another edition

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dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

murakami said so much and yet so little. was i absolutely enraptured by what he had to say? yes. did i take away anything at all from the book? i have literally no idea. but it was a satisfying read. also, there was way too much sex in it for my liking - murakami describes women in a strange way.....

Content Warnings