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robinks's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
As far as I know, this is the only Murakami novel with queer representation, so that’s why I decided to give it a read. The lesbian sexual content was definitely written for the male gaze, and it was mostly nonconsensual, which is problematic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, and Stalking
Moderate: Infidelity, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death
mollyfmurphy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
Deftly weaves a story of love, friendship, loneliness, trauma, and creativity. I loved how it combined beautiful tangible descriptions of character and place with more surreal elements. I’ve never read anything quite like it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Animal death and Infidelity
spookily's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death of parent
literarytaurean's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Racism, and Rape
pang's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Misogyny
Minor: Animal death
cheesepuppy's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book was a weird one to read. The whole first half of the book is just character building and no plot. I did not enjoy it until over halfway through the book. And even then, it wasn’t super exciting.
I feel like the woman in the story only exists to make the man have feels. It’s weird how the main character feels like a side character.
This author writes with so so so many metaphors. It’s like he just learned what a metaphor is and wanted to use them to practice. I feel like I almost forget what I was reading by time I get done reading the metaphor.
Also, the sex/turned on scenes felt so weird and out of place. So weird. They would pop up without warning.
Then at the very end of the book, the plot is resolved with almost no rhyme nor reason. I still have no clue what happened.
I feel like the woman in the story only exists to make the man have feels. It’s weird how the main character feels like a side character.
This author writes with so so so many metaphors. It’s like he just learned what a metaphor is and wanted to use them to practice. I feel like I almost forget what I was reading by time I get done reading the metaphor.
Also, the sex/turned on scenes felt so weird and out of place. So weird. They would pop up without warning.
Then at the very end of the book, the plot is resolved with almost no rhyme nor reason. I still have no clue what happened.
- In many parts, I felt like there were a lot of words to say basically nothing and others felt rushed
best lines in the book 😂
I asked her straight out. That’s me — never beat around the Bush. How much of your hair is white?
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Sexual assault, and Sexual content