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byejohn's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this book a lot more on my second read through. I must still admit that the characters are sometimes flatter and less interesting or important than the ~vibes~ but I didn’t really have a problem with that. I sympathized with all of them in a way and enjoyed their idiosyncrasies and foibles.
_traveler_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
misshoneybug's review against another edition
5.0
"'What makes us most normal', said Reiko, 'is knowing that we're not normal'"
(Couldn't write this review right away, I needed to let the emotions settle down first... )
The story is told by Toru Watanabe as a reminiscence of his past, starting from when he was 17 years old (Tokyo, 1960's). Watanabe is a semi transparent character that lets us see more about the people he interacts with than about himself. The story focuses mainly on his friendships, romances and sexual endeavors, a coming-of-age wrapped in existentialistic struggles, mostly by those around him. There are also plenty of references about other books and songs.
This is a story enjoyable not because of an original plot or unexpected turn of events, but because it takes you on an emotional trip. The characters constantly deal with their need for love and belonging, impermanence of life, tragedy and the struggle to find their place in a world that rejects and alienates them. The story is slow peaced, sometimes even dream like. The description of the scenery helps to set the mood of the story really well.
For me, the awesome part of this book is that it doesn't directly tell you what the characters feel but it evokes them in you. You experience their feelings by looking at the world through their eyes. You wont read that someone is depressed, instead it will tell you that the sky is gray, there is nothing to do outside and he cant even do laundry because of the rain, he is alone on a weekend.... you get that image in your head and can relate to the situation and the feelings it evokes: feeling down and wanting for that day to be over. You know how the character most be feeling because you are feeling it, not because it was said to you.
Trigger warning: if you are feeling depressed, lonely and highly sensitive, better not read this book. It is melancholic and portraits the tribulations of suicidal people in a close and accurate perspective.
(Couldn't write this review right away, I needed to let the emotions settle down first... )
The story is told by Toru Watanabe as a reminiscence of his past, starting from when he was 17 years old (Tokyo, 1960's). Watanabe is a semi transparent character that lets us see more about the people he interacts with than about himself. The story focuses mainly on his friendships, romances and sexual endeavors, a coming-of-age wrapped in existentialistic struggles, mostly by those around him. There are also plenty of references about other books and songs.
This is a story enjoyable not because of an original plot or unexpected turn of events, but because it takes you on an emotional trip. The characters constantly deal with their need for love and belonging, impermanence of life, tragedy and the struggle to find their place in a world that rejects and alienates them. The story is slow peaced, sometimes even dream like. The description of the scenery helps to set the mood of the story really well.
For me, the awesome part of this book is that it doesn't directly tell you what the characters feel but it evokes them in you. You experience their feelings by looking at the world through their eyes. You wont read that someone is depressed, instead it will tell you that the sky is gray, there is nothing to do outside and he cant even do laundry because of the rain, he is alone on a weekend.... you get that image in your head and can relate to the situation and the feelings it evokes: feeling down and wanting for that day to be over. You know how the character most be feeling because you are feeling it, not because it was said to you.
Trigger warning: if you are feeling depressed, lonely and highly sensitive, better not read this book. It is melancholic and portraits the tribulations of suicidal people in a close and accurate perspective.
zarametcalfe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
emmadilemmaf's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
carknapp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
keegansham's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.25
If you had asked me 5 years ago who my favourite author was I would without a doubt say Murakami. As time goes by and I read more of his works I find that his style of writing just doesn't hit with me anymore. Tonnes has been said about how he writes women and how perverted the man can get and this feels like the pinnacle of it all.
Where this does shine and where Murakami excels in particular is the sense of dread, longing and melancholy. The way he describes the world through the eyes of suffering characters is always incredible. Unfortunately this book is too perverted in a way that just made it uncomfortable. When a 31 year old has sex in a very graphic way with a 13 year old and then the only thing that comes from it is "I might be a lesbian", it makes me not want to continue an artists work
Where this does shine and where Murakami excels in particular is the sense of dread, longing and melancholy. The way he describes the world through the eyes of suffering characters is always incredible. Unfortunately this book is too perverted in a way that just made it uncomfortable. When a 31 year old has sex in a very graphic way with a 13 year old and then the only thing that comes from it is "I might be a lesbian", it makes me not want to continue an artists work
wtfrjk's review against another edition
3.0
ughhhhhh. Okay. Murakami's writing is often beautiful, and there were whole paragraphs and threads that were lovely and well-executed. But reading these 3-4 women tripping over themselves to be with this man was frankly exhausting.
About halfway through this book I thought "if this man does not burn something down by the last page I will be very disappointed." It surely could have gone in the direction of the song and I would have liked it much better.
About halfway through this book I thought "if this man does not burn something down by the last page I will be very disappointed." It surely could have gone in the direction of the song and I would have liked it much better.
stanleythrewbricks's review against another edition
4.0
Another slow-starter (I’m starting to think this is a me thing) and an incredibly odd book, nevertheless I really enjoyed it. Despite all its flaws, and believe me there were many, I would still definitely recommend this book.
Let’s start with the cons. Every single character was awful and had zero redeeming qualities. The main character was a selfish individual who only ever acted out of his own wants and desires, lying to the reader and the other characters throughout. The main female characters, Naoko and Midori, were just as awful, the former being portrayed by a wooden plank throughout and the latter being the dictionary definition of a pick me girl. Characters aside, the author himself is clearly also a questionable individual, using this book to fulfil his perverted sexual fantasies and fetishes.
Despite these drawbacks, the book has somehow managed to land the title of a very good book, in my eyes at least. The storyline is very compelling, similar to the Catcher in the Rye in the sense that it is also a Bildungsroman; meaning it follows an important experience in the young protagonist’s life during the transition between adolescence and adulthood. Murakami is clearly a talented author, disguising the themes amid a seemingly random ramble of strange events. I won’t say anymore as god forbid I spoil the plot, but I would like to finish by saying that I look forward to reading this again in the future from a new perspective with the ending in mind.
4 stars.
Bonus point: there’s a cat in it called seagull.
Let’s start with the cons. Every single character was awful and had zero redeeming qualities. The main character was a selfish individual who only ever acted out of his own wants and desires, lying to the reader and the other characters throughout. The main female characters, Naoko and Midori, were just as awful, the former being portrayed by a wooden plank throughout and the latter being the dictionary definition of a pick me girl. Characters aside, the author himself is clearly also a questionable individual, using this book to fulfil his perverted sexual fantasies and fetishes.
Despite these drawbacks, the book has somehow managed to land the title of a very good book, in my eyes at least. The storyline is very compelling, similar to the Catcher in the Rye in the sense that it is also a Bildungsroman; meaning it follows an important experience in the young protagonist’s life during the transition between adolescence and adulthood. Murakami is clearly a talented author, disguising the themes amid a seemingly random ramble of strange events. I won’t say anymore as god forbid I spoil the plot, but I would like to finish by saying that I look forward to reading this again in the future from a new perspective with the ending in mind.
4 stars.
Bonus point: there’s a cat in it called seagull.
diasdeveranomp3's review against another edition
2.0
hay frases y ideas muy chulas pero se me ha hecho larguísimo y han habido varías cosas q me han dejado tiesa pero en plan (derogatory). muchas escenas sexuales q no aportaban absolutamente nada y q me ponían más incómoda que otra cosa por no hablar de las menciones tan normalizadas de violaciones y pedofilia? bastante mal la vd, seguramente volveré a darle alguna oportunidad a otro libro de murakami pq el primero q leí si me gustó mucho pero este…