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jenny_hedberg's review against another edition
5.0
Tengo and Aomame. What could these characters, seemingly worlds apart, have in common? I want to liken Murakami's storytelling to a river; he traces two small streams to where they join and manages to do so through 800 pages without losing his reader's attention (at least not mine!). In the beginning, we know almost nothing about our two protagonists, but more is revealed as the chapters alternate between telling their respective stories. Murakami provides no exposition but lets his reader explore the story and how the different characters and events connect - successfully, I might add. Magical realism features prominently in the story but does not make it silly and does not distract from the story. Rather, it encourages the reader to be openminded and look beyond the obvious.
I might add to this later.
I might add to this later.
aribarrio's review against another edition
2.0
no me he enterado de nada, la historia me daba igual y solo quería acabarla
por no decir que la forma en la que habla de las mujeres me da tanta grima que no puedo
por no decir que la forma en la que habla de las mujeres me da tanta grima que no puedo
mrmysteryfox's review against another edition
5.0
Re read of one of the novels that got me into Murakami.
“If you can’t understand it without an explanation, you can’t understand it with an explanation”
The characters themselves almost summing up Murakami’s work! Surreal and entertaining read with a back and forth storyline between the two main characters. Glad I re read this as it’s reminded me how much I enjoyed this book the first time around. What’s not to like the story has; a female assassin, secretive religious cult(s), story within a story, unrequited love and the surreal “little people”…
Like
-Like the alternating main character narrative - builds good suspense and anticipation of if the two will cross
-Very different main characters and storyline which keeps the book interesting
-Challenges religions/cults and the impacts on upbringing of children
-The image of two moons and transferring to an alternate world will always haunt me (same as how I’ll always hear a magpie call and think of the bird call from wind up bird chronicle)
Dislike
-Sometimes a bit over sexualised (albeit think that is the point of breaking stereotypical norm or Japanese women)
-Clearly should just be read as a single extended book (this is how I first read it anyway)
To remember
“Once you pass a certain age, life becomes nothing more than a process of continual loss.”
On creating a meaningful bond with someone
“To think that such a close connection could only be formed through violence was almost too much for Aomame to bear.”
“If you can’t understand it without an explanation, you can’t understand it with an explanation”
The characters themselves almost summing up Murakami’s work! Surreal and entertaining read with a back and forth storyline between the two main characters. Glad I re read this as it’s reminded me how much I enjoyed this book the first time around. What’s not to like the story has; a female assassin, secretive religious cult(s), story within a story, unrequited love and the surreal “little people”…
Like
-Like the alternating main character narrative - builds good suspense and anticipation of if the two will cross
-Very different main characters and storyline which keeps the book interesting
-Challenges religions/cults and the impacts on upbringing of children
-The image of two moons and transferring to an alternate world will always haunt me (same as how I’ll always hear a magpie call and think of the bird call from wind up bird chronicle)
Dislike
-Sometimes a bit over sexualised (albeit think that is the point of breaking stereotypical norm or Japanese women)
-Clearly should just be read as a single extended book (this is how I first read it anyway)
To remember
“Once you pass a certain age, life becomes nothing more than a process of continual loss.”
On creating a meaningful bond with someone
“To think that such a close connection could only be formed through violence was almost too much for Aomame to bear.”
justkirstie's review against another edition
i haven't picked this book up in two years because i just didn't want to read it
being brave enough to say i won't finish it
being brave enough to say i won't finish it
grahammcgrew's review against another edition
3.0
I allowed myself to read the first sentence. Then the first paragraph. Then I searched up Janacek's Sinfonietta and gave it a listen. For years we wanted Dylan's next Blonde On Blonde, then for decades his next Blood On The Tracks . . . can Murakami once more scale the heights of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle?
Having finished the book . . . No, he can't. Poor man's Wind-Up Bird, but better than Kafka On The Shore.
Having finished the book . . . No, he can't. Poor man's Wind-Up Bird, but better than Kafka On The Shore.
henrikv's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
livvvvh777's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.75
ssulpiride's review against another edition
4.0
Por suerte, este no ha sido el primer libro con el que me enfrento a Murakami. Digo esto porque, a pesar de que me parece una obra maravillosamente construida, me ha dejado un regusto amargo en la boca; un sabor diferente al que siempre me deja Murakami al acabar sus novelas. En 1Q84 me he encontrado con un Murakami diferente: quizás más maduro en su prosa, más centrado en la estructura. La narrativa, como siempre, me ha atrapado. Es innegable que tiene una capacidad increíble para describir lo cotidiano de un modo poético. Sin embargo, me ha fallado la historia en sí. Todas sus obras contienen elementos fantásticos y surrealistas -aunque siempre en el seno de un ambiente de cotidianeidad-, con eso ya contaba, pero en esta todo está envuelto en una especie de aura excesivamente romántica, bajo mi punto de vista. No me convence el modo de justificar las acciones finales de los personajes, aunque considero que estos están brillantemente construidos.
No se encuentra entre mis favoritos dentro de su bibliografía, y sin duda no lo recomendaría para iniciarse en su literatura, pero sí para aquellos que, como yo, disfrutamos intensamente de las obras de Murakami. Aun con todo, me gustaría leer la tercera parte para poder tener una opinión al completo de la obra.
No se encuentra entre mis favoritos dentro de su bibliografía, y sin duda no lo recomendaría para iniciarse en su literatura, pero sí para aquellos que, como yo, disfrutamos intensamente de las obras de Murakami. Aun con todo, me gustaría leer la tercera parte para poder tener una opinión al completo de la obra.
kalliste's review against another edition
3.0
This was a long ride. I can't believe it took me 5 weeks to get through it all. I can imagine being disappointed if I only had book 1 as it cuts off suddenly at the 50% mark.
I'm not really sure how I feel about this book, it's quite unusual and there is a whole lot more sex and boobs than I expect. I probably didn't need to know that Aomame's morning routine involved checking that her breasts and pubic hair remained much the same as always.
As other reviews have said it seemed much too long and nothing much really seemed to be resolved over the 2 books. I'm not sure if I can push through the 3rd or not but I definitely won't be doing it straight away.
I'm not really sure how I feel about this book, it's quite unusual and there is a whole lot more sex and boobs than I expect. I probably didn't need to know that Aomame's morning routine involved checking that her breasts and pubic hair remained much the same as always.
As other reviews have said it seemed much too long and nothing much really seemed to be resolved over the 2 books. I'm not sure if I can push through the 3rd or not but I definitely won't be doing it straight away.