Scan barcode
shawez's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
My first Murakami novel. The characters live life to the fullest, which makes it especially interesting to read. It is shown how the love in this story comes with grief as well, its newer way of depiction of love for me as I grown up watching Bollywood movie, in which love is big source happiness . It's refreshing to read during anunwanted busy day.The story revolves around Mental health issues during teens and it's eye-opening to know how every character deals with it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
itsevie13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I honestly don't know how I feel about this book. I didn't hate reading it, in fact there were times I couldn't put it down, but I didn't like it either. The book mainly focuses around the proganists interactions with various 'tragic female characters' but I found most of these women very 1 dimensional, mainly written as objects of desire for a kind of boring man (the protagonist). I don't know if the novel is actually supposed to say something profound about youth but if so it went over my head. The novel is beautiful prose though but perhaps a little up its own backside, saying a lot without really saying anything at all. I did appreciate the atmospheric setting and there were good philosophical moments but this was overshadowed by the flatness of the supporting characters also I did not appreciate the jumpscare of a graphic sex scene with a minor so watch out for that. Overall just a very male book, attempting to write complex female characters but completely missing the mark and a bit depressing tbh (but not in an interesting way).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
thislunarbeauty's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer
j_eliza_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.0
Hated the way he writes women but liked the way he portrays loneliness and isolation
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicide
julia_rose's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
I really liked it and I think it’ll be a book that sticks with me. I can already tell it’s going to need a lot of processing to fully digest. For people who need plot I wouldn’t recommend, but I’m impressed how Murakami didn’t make me bored nonetheless.
I had my eyes peeled for the subliminal sexism the whole time and admittedly I didn’t spot what the fuss was about until the closing scene which was an eye roll moment for me. So minus points for that, but overall still one of my favourite reads of the year so far.
On the Trigger Warnings: There are a lot of suicides for one book, but I wouldn’t consider any of them described in graphic detail. For each one, the method of death is stated but not described after.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Suicide
Minor: Sexual violence
drymice's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
famaali's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, and Sexual content
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
kathleendayle's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Has none of the magical realism I go to Murakami for. The story itself was okay, but dreary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, and Alcohol
frasro's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicide
Minor: Rape
xsamwise's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-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
2.0
Honestly, this book would've been 4 stars if not for the ending.
The ending completely ruined my opinion of Watanabe and the book overall. Loss and grief are a key component of the story, and I found it very relatable. I was really glad I chose to read this book at this point in time in my life because it brought up thoughts and emotions that were challenging for me to work through.
I was already considering reading it again because so many of Watanabe's feelings mirrored my own (especially the "winding my spring" portion), but the ending was honestly.... disgusting. I found it so gross that Watanabe and Reiko sleep together, multiple times, following Reiko's suicide and Watanabe's realization that he loves Midori. I lost all respect for both characters. It felt like a complete betrayal. Especially how right after, he reaches out to Midori to profess his love? Like, you just slept with someone else the night before. I get he's young and grief effects people differently, but this is completely inexcusable to me. It's giving "boys will be boys".... ick.
There were so many important sections, especially near the end, that I bookmarked but it's so hard for me to overlook the ending.
The ending completely ruined my opinion of Watanabe and the book overall. Loss and grief are a key component of the story, and I found it very relatable. I was really glad I chose to read this book at this point in time in my life because it brought up thoughts and emotions that were challenging for me to work through.
I was already considering reading it again because so many of Watanabe's feelings mirrored my own (especially the "winding my spring" portion), but the ending was honestly.... disgusting. I found it so gross that
There were so many important sections, especially near the end, that I bookmarked but it's so hard for me to overlook the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Suicide
Moderate: Mental illness