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sagelikesscats's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The magical realism is very well done and the writing is exquisite. The female characters are objectified but are complex.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Grief, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Rape and Death of parent
kyoe983's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-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
3.75
The definition of a good story. I'm not referring to Murakami's writing style, but to the quality of the tale itself. Murakami brought back successful tropes that he mastered in past novels before this one, however, the ending seems to me so well crafted that I don't mind the repetitiveness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Sexual violence
Minor: Rape
itsneira's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I finished this book a few weeks ago and wanted to wait to write a review until I got to think about it a little bit more. The thing is, though, that I didn’t really think much of it at all. I was really excited to start reading Murakami because I have heard nothing but great things about his writing, but I don’t think this lived up to what people have said about his works. That’s not to say the book was bad by any means (it was actually quite good), but it was just not what I was expecting. The pacing at the beginning is really slow but it picks up quick and you get pretty attached to the characters. The writing style is great in terms of lyricism and imagery, but I’m not one for mystery, so if I could go back I would start somewhere else with Murakami. Overall, not bad, just not my favorite thing :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping and Grief
Minor: Death of parent