zafireads's review against another edition
5.0
My first hm book and I'm so happy to say that I loved it. There were parts that I didn't love, but well, this book overall was just for me. Even though it's basically a depressing diary of a guy but I loved the details and the vibes of it sm. Asian culture and literature is always interesting and intriguing to me. The ending caught me off guard and made me wonder a lot. I'm excited to read more book by hm and this was just a great start.
Note―it left me feeling empty and provoked thougts in a good way.
Note―it left me feeling empty and provoked thougts in a good way.
mangocats's review against another edition
4.0
his writing is so unbelievably beautiful and dreamy it makes you feel at peace..even with a story imbued with such loneliness and sorrow.
another L for how he always portrays women tho
another L for how he always portrays women tho
elizae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
rhiannonfarquhar's review against another edition
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
evadienke's review against another edition
3.0
Really enjoyed the odd interactions between characters. It felt foreign but not unrealistic.
Do believe that the extreme focus on sex was too much. The extensive and weird descriptions did not add to the depth of the story at all. I understand that sex is a part of the character's frame of reference since he's an adolescent. However, it was overkill.
All in all - this book moved me, there were a few phrases that left me gasping for air. The themes are dark, the amount of sadness is overwhelming and it is quite unlikely that 3 of the already few people in your life commit suicide, but overall I am very impressed with Marukami's ability to engage me, given the numbness and depressed feeling that comes with reading this novel. I would read it again (if it were not for the 2000 other books I want to read).
Do believe that the extreme focus on sex was too much. The extensive and weird descriptions did not add to the depth of the story at all. I understand that sex is a part of the character's frame of reference since he's an adolescent. However, it was overkill.
All in all - this book moved me, there were a few phrases that left me gasping for air. The themes are dark, the amount of sadness is overwhelming and it is quite unlikely that 3 of the already few people in your life commit suicide, but overall I am very impressed with Marukami's ability to engage me, given the numbness and depressed feeling that comes with reading this novel. I would read it again (if it were not for the 2000 other books I want to read).
jayden_mccomiskie's review against another edition
3.0
I love Murakami, adore him, but this was bad. I think this is my first 1 star rating...
milokronenburg's review against another edition
Ik kom op een of andere manier echt niet doorheen. Het is heel droog geschreven en ik leef me niet in in de karakters. Ik ga nu toch maar het boek wegleggen.
itsanaturaldisaster's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide