A review by andrew_t
Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I will admit that I am not overly familiar with Murakami's works but the first one I read was Kafka on the Shore. And, while it wasn't a bad book, I didn't enjoy it, but I enjoy this one much more.
There's a certain quality to Sputnik Sweetheart that I felt in Kafka on the Shore but felt it was overshadowed by some of the things I was at odds with. However, that quality is much more present in Sputnik Sweetheart with less of the bad and it makes the book incredibly amazing and special.
The book was short, sweet, and enjoyable from beginning to end. Sure there was the occasional rough spot but they were small enough that they were very easy to get through, the rather explicit descriptions of characters' bodies that are often found in Murakami's works are kept to a minimum in this one and for that I am thankful.
The book does slow down a little in the middle but man I loved the ending, it was brief and left the future of the story to the imagination of the reader, and I have to say that I was smiling ear to ear reading it. Given the character's previous interactions it almost felt like the most appropriate ending the book could have.
Overall I'd say that this is a very enjoyable book that you could just pick up and read in a few days and extract a great amount of enjoyment from it.
And if you're a fan of Murakami and haven't read this one, give it a try, it's always good to fill in your catalog of completion for an author.
There's a certain quality to Sputnik Sweetheart that I felt in Kafka on the Shore but felt it was overshadowed by some of the things I was at odds with. However, that quality is much more present in Sputnik Sweetheart with less of the bad and it makes the book incredibly amazing and special.
The book was short, sweet, and enjoyable from beginning to end. Sure there was the occasional rough spot but they were small enough that they were very easy to get through, the rather explicit descriptions of characters' bodies that are often found in Murakami's works are kept to a minimum in this one and for that I am thankful.
The book does slow down a little in the middle but man I loved the ending, it was brief and left the future of the story to the imagination of the reader, and I have to say that I was smiling ear to ear reading it. Given the character's previous interactions it almost felt like the most appropriate ending the book could have.
Overall I'd say that this is a very enjoyable book that you could just pick up and read in a few days and extract a great amount of enjoyment from it.
And if you're a fan of Murakami and haven't read this one, give it a try, it's always good to fill in your catalog of completion for an author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Rape