A review by sspaghettiboness
Popular Hits of the Showa Era by Ryū Murakami

dark sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I’m adding to this review months later to express how much I loved this book. I have never been the type to have particular emotional attachment to characters, but there was just something here that felt like home. Imagining these horribly awkward initial attempts at parties that slowly become imbued with little rituals and “common” gestures becoming groundbreaking moments of human interaction… If you’ve ever felt like the outcast only understood by your equally outcasted mates, I dare you not to feel immersed in their bizarre lives which Ryū wrote so effortlessly they seemed unremarkable.

Even though you know it’s coming, the build up of absurd violence reminded me of the road runner and Wiley coyote. So silly and crazy, no matter who you are vying for (clearly I was team boys, no matter what), you can’t help but laugh out loud at what they’re doing. Here is where I will add the warning that this book gets gory and does not shy away from the specific details.

I cannot speak highly enough of this book, or of Murakami, who is my all time favourite author. Popular Hits is unexpected, disgusting, hilarious, and very weird. It’s perfect.

And if you’ve read this book, absolutely you should check out From The Fatherland, With Love. 
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