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hsunflower's review against another edition
3.0
2.5/3 ⭐️
I truly have mixed feelings about this book. it was my first Murakami book and let me tell you, his writing is amazing, but I dont feel super connected and didnt enjoy much the story itself, therefore I was in between giving a 2.5 or 3 stars, but have it 3 because I feel like it still a nice book, but not a fav one.
I truly have mixed feelings about this book. it was my first Murakami book and let me tell you, his writing is amazing, but I dont feel super connected and didnt enjoy much the story itself, therefore I was in between giving a 2.5 or 3 stars, but have it 3 because I feel like it still a nice book, but not a fav one.
malu_penafort's review against another edition
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? Yes
1.0
rubywaitweg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Really enjoyed the general reading experience of this book but also felt quite unsure and a bit confused a lot of the time.
Why is everyone obsessed with Toru?? Almost all of the characters (maybe apart from Stormtrooper?) find him to be extraordinary in some way. In reality he seems to have a pretty average (and kinda boring?) personality. He’s also pretty emotionally distant and has sex with every woman in the book when they’re in extremely vulnerable states? Made me feel quite uncomfortable, especially bc they all seem to have amazing sexual experiences?? Just didn’t seem realistic to me and made me question the male (/just misogynistic?) perspective
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual violence
rkiveoflyn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
3.5
josephinemosely's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.25
socraticreader's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jacobblake's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
A quiet and reflective slice of life which explores the themes of death and love.
I really like the way murukami can provide a sense of routine then very suddenly disrupt it. This happens multiple times in the book and is always effective.
It was quite strange reading this after wind up bird chronicle as there are so many overlapping themes and images that I had a sense of de ja vu, especially when staring the book.
I did find some of the ways the character interacted with and thought about women to be a bit objectionable at times- but the character is 19 and the books is fairly old, so it makes sense for the time. I don't think it's so egregious that it ruined the experience.
I really like the way murukami can provide a sense of routine then very suddenly disrupt it. This happens multiple times in the book and is always effective.
It was quite strange reading this after wind up bird chronicle as there are so many overlapping themes and images that I had a sense of de ja vu, especially when staring the book.
I did find some of the ways the character interacted with and thought about women to be a bit objectionable at times- but the character is 19 and the books is fairly old, so it makes sense for the time. I don't think it's so egregious that it ruined the experience.
bkvirn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
radwa_mousa's review against another edition
4.0
That was a rollercoaster of a read! I went back and forth between really enjoying it and feeling totally exasperated by it.
I clearly don't know how to rate books anymore but since it was my first Murakami, let's leave it at a 3 for now.
I clearly don't know how to rate books anymore but since it was my first Murakami, let's leave it at a 3 for now.