Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

406 reviews

busra425's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

isal's review against another edition

Go to review page

inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

It’s overly sexual even when it’s not necessary for the plot or to understand the characters. Some relationships and their sexual activities made me extremely uncomfortable. I wish the women in this book had more of a role than just being there to pleasure the guy. 
But I like Murakamis way of writing and there is always something or someone to relate to (even when it’s just in one line).
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

andriaspyrou's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

stuckduck's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark 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? It's complicated

3.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

akami's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

hanami_sui's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

This is a really engaging book and the open ending leaves space for numerous interpretations. Personally, I think that the last part of the book is not included in the flashback like the rest of the narrative. Instead, it is based in the present and connected to the first chapter of the book where Watanabe lands in Germany and 'Norwegian Wood' playing on the speakers pushes him to face his past memories. After the entire recalling of his past story, he calls Midori in his present. This is why it is such a confusing call and she ends up asking 'Where are you?' Toru being clueless about his location means he's been lost all along due to being influenced by
Naoko's death
and finally realizes that he needs saving. All in all, I loved the book and I think that it'll stay with me for a long time. :') The lesson is to keep living, no matter what. ❤️
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

m4rtt4's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Naoko❤️‍🩹 I truly loved her.
Actually I really liked all the female characters, though they all more or less were also used as vessels for fulfilling the author's sexual fantasies — especially Midori, her personality at times was so pick-me-girly for the sole purpose of getting Watanabe's sexual attention.

This one was a re-read, and I must say I felt it so much more now at 20 — the main characters' age — than when I first read it at 16 years old. I've read all Murakami's novels, and even though I kind of miss the magical realism that was almost nonexistent in this book, it didn't really need it either as it was deep enough just like this. I just wish the metaphor of the "well" Naoko talked about in the beginning had appeared later on in the story, it should have had a greater purpose. Overall a very melancholic yet great reading experience, but for your own good, do consider skipping this if things related to suicide trigger you.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

wuasti's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

redflyingbook's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.25

This was my first murakami novel - I did recognize some problematic aspects but altogether it was a stunning rendition of what might be some of the most formative years of a life. It beautifully depicts complex personalities and struggles that hit quite close to home, exploring topics like love, friendship and mental health in utterly poetic and emotional ways. I really did like the writing style.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

4str0's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging tense fast-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

2.0

questo libro potrebbe chiamarsi: le ragazze che toru watanabe si è scopato per dimenticarsi i suoi traumi e sarebbe la stessa cosa
Expand filter menu Content Warnings