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notthatcosta's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.5
I love a short story collection and I found this one to be a great example of an all-killer, no filler collection. Even though I feel like some of the stories would have been even better as a full-length novella (particularly Samsa in Love), I don't think there was a single dud here.
Kino and Drive My Car were the standouts and the ones that stayed with me most, but all were immaculately conceived and bound by a striking and bold thread that perfectly captures a pervasive sense of melancholy and loneliness.
Kino and Drive My Car were the standouts and the ones that stayed with me most, but all were immaculately conceived and bound by a striking and bold thread that perfectly captures a pervasive sense of melancholy and loneliness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol
andyblv's review against another edition
5.0
Seven compact stories, all told with Murakami’s signature brevity, penchant for pop culture and melancholy. “Drive My Car” explores aging, loss and beauty. “Yesterday” explores dialect, regionalism and maturity. The other stories all yield not-quite-comfortable outcomes. “Men without Women” and “Samsa in Love” both explore love and loss in interesting and different ways.
unown's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
jdylharv's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.25
ryannyman's review against another edition
4.0
An ennui filled compendium of midsize to small short stories. Great for a rainy day. Not all of them really click, but they get better the further you get into the book.
pasta_al_limone's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.0
alisarae's review against another edition
I think only hardcore Murakami fans would like this book of short stories. I have read 11 books by him now, possibly more books than by any other author (Caroline Keene doesn't count cuz that was a shared pen name mmk), and I didn't even like it. Just give us what we want, Murakami: weird cults and cats.