kennedylamb's reviews
337 reviews

The City and Its Uncertain Walls: A Novel by Haruki Murakami

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2.75

Haruki Murakami's The City and Its Uncertain Walls is a novel that captivates with its beautiful language and intriguing concept. Murakami's prose is often poetic, with many passages that are a joy to read. The author's unique style and imaginative ideas shine through, making the book a compelling experience on many levels.

However, while the language and concept are strong points, the story's flow left something to be desired. At times, the narrative felt disjointed, with certain sections becoming repetitive. This disrupted the pacing and made it challenging to stay fully engaged. Additionally, the world-building in some parts of the book felt underdeveloped. 

Another aspect that stood out was the portrayal of female characters. Unfortunately, I found the way Murakami writes his female characters to be lacking in depth and nuance. This detracted from the overall experience and left me wanting more well-rounded and realistic portrayals.

In summary, The City and Its Uncertain Walls is a novel with beautiful language and a fascinating concept, but it struggles with pacing and world-building. Murakami's portrayal of female characters also leaves room for improvement. Despite these flaws, fans of Murakami's writing style may still find much to appreciate in this book.
Run: A Novel by Blake Crouch

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

4.0

Blake Crouch masterfully crafts a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The novel delves into the dark aspects of human nature and society, offering thought-provoking commentary on how quickly civilization can unravel under extreme stress. The stark, brutal realism of the story is both terrifying and compelling.

As a seasoned storyteller, Crouch excels in creating tension and suspense. His vivid descriptions and dynamic pacing ensure that "Run" is a book that readers will find hard to put down. The novel is more gory and intense compared to some of his other works, but it remains a standout in the apocalyptic thriller genre.

In conclusion, "Run" is a must-read for fans of apocalyptic thrillers. Its relentless pace, intriguing exploration of human behavior, and Crouch's exceptional storytelling make it a memorable and thought-provoking read. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping and chilling adventure that will linger in their thoughts long after the final page.
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

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3.75

Some of the stories were so strong, but several fell flat for me 
The Finest Print by Erin Langston

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3.0

I think I might not be a fan of historical romance