charitza's review against another edition
2.0
This book was very eagerly recommended to me by a friend and claimed that it was life changing.
However, I did not experience this at all. Most of the time I kept reading expecting something to happen, a climax, but it never truly came. So much of it feels like it was written to fill up pages, and although the writing is done with such detail, it was also bland, just like the main character.
However, I did not experience this at all. Most of the time I kept reading expecting something to happen, a climax, but it never truly came. So much of it feels like it was written to fill up pages, and although the writing is done with such detail, it was also bland, just like the main character.
vee615's review against another edition
3.0
This is the fourth book by this author that I have read, the other three were amazing. This one was just kind of meh. It follows a typical Murakami main characater, a man who is lacking in any interests, quiet, fairly handsome, single. Tazaki has suffered a great loss, his friends mysteriously stopped talking to him. This has a profound effect on his life and sixteen years later with a push from a woman he ventures out to find out why. I liked him discovering what had transpired with his friends but I found the rest of the book a bit a ramble. Usually Murakami is very good at tying up loose ends, explaining phenomena or at the very least giving it some kind of point in the story. He seemed to fail to do it hear. I would not recommend this book if you are just starting to delve into Murakami, 1Q84 or The Wind Up Bird Chronicle would be better to start.
jjb21's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Starting to learn that Japanese writing is very poetic and often like a parable. Writing style starts very ethereal but ends quite concrete - like the character. Clever. But the plot is barmy and hard to believe. I like the bit in Finland.
ahsansenan's review against another edition
4.0
Murakami is finally growing up, isn't he? This is his most mature book I've read, and I've read most. At the age of 66, he has finally started to write like a 30 year old. Can't wait to find out what the 40s hold. He may finally come into his own.
elisabeth1st's review against another edition
5.0
My first Murakami. I was afraid to read his larger novels. Now I can dive in!
pancakesandpaperbacks's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly Helsinki was mentioned in this book.
mscherer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25