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mamaquiereleer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
marenovidia's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Suicide
binca's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I am giving my 2 stars for the beautiful writing style (Murakami does have his way with words, at times he's quite poetic) and the general dealings with grief, death and the struggle with mental illness that felt honest and authentic (even though it was also romantisized at times, but I could somehow look past that).
However, the rest of the book (plot, characters, content) is wildly problematic. Murakmai tells a tale of toxic masculinity, meaning that women are constantly objectified and are even objectifying themselves. Sex and sexual content is thrown into every situation, and has its focus in pleasing the male. The average male character has sexual relationships with ALL of the featured female characters, despite not caring for their needs and wants very much. There is another male character that gives off Barney Stinson vibes as in sleeping around with women right, left and center, while having a girlfriend that stays at his side despite everything. What I thought for the majority of the book to be the display of a consentual non-monogomous relationship, turns out in the end to be actually just the men taking what he wants while his girlfriend claims that she has been hurt by his action all these years. But of course, she couldn't leave him. Because she is a passive women in a world that only features passive women.
There is another whole aspect of a grown up women having sexual relations with a minor who she is giving piano lesson. Not only is there a very long and graphic description of their sexual acts, but Murakami presents the situation as if the 13-year-old girl has all the agency and is practically raping the adult women who experiences immense pleasure from it. This is later not judged or frowned upon in any way other than whether the piano teacher is gay or not. Not in any way is she called out for what she is: a paedophile.
Maybe Murakami wants to tell the story of a great male fantasy gone to the extreme. Maybe it is all on purpose. But even then, why is this story necessary? Why repeat and add to all the abuse and objectification of women (and minors)? Is that an acomplishment? Does this look back at society and comment on it cleverly? The reader might decide for themselves but I found it too unrealistic, too much male gazed fantasy, too artificial to make any real commentary on the real world.
Murakami writes beautifully but I do wish that he would write about something else entirely. Therefore, I think I will try another of his books, but will be on the look out for sexist attitudes and weak character building - because I honestly can't make it through another book like this!
However, the rest of the book (plot, characters, content) is wildly problematic. Murakmai tells a tale of toxic masculinity, meaning that women are constantly objectified and are even objectifying themselves. Sex and sexual content is thrown into every situation, and has its focus in pleasing the male. The average male character has sexual relationships with ALL of the featured female characters, despite not caring for their needs and wants very much. There is another male character that gives off Barney Stinson vibes as in sleeping around with women right, left and center, while having a girlfriend that stays at his side despite everything. What I thought for the majority of the book to be the display of a consentual non-monogomous relationship, turns out in the end to be actually just the men taking what he wants while his girlfriend claims that she has been hurt by his action all these years. But of course, she couldn't leave him. Because she is a passive women in a world that only features passive women.
There is another whole aspect of a grown up women having sexual relations with a minor who she is giving piano lesson. Not only is there a very long and graphic description of their sexual acts, but Murakami presents the situation as if the 13-year-old girl has all the agency and is practically raping the adult women who experiences immense pleasure from it. This is later not judged or frowned upon in any way other than whether the piano teacher is gay or not. Not in any way is she called out for what she is: a paedophile.
Maybe Murakami wants to tell the story of a great male fantasy gone to the extreme. Maybe it is all on purpose. But even then, why is this story necessary? Why repeat and add to all the abuse and objectification of women (and minors)? Is that an acomplishment? Does this look back at society and comment on it cleverly? The reader might decide for themselves but I found it too unrealistic, too much male gazed fantasy, too artificial to make any real commentary on the real world.
Murakami writes beautifully but I do wish that he would write about something else entirely. Therefore, I think I will try another of his books, but will be on the look out for sexist attitudes and weak character building - because I honestly can't make it through another book like this!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Rape
libbyuma's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
sofia_gomes's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, and Suicide
akormas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, and Toxic friendship
zarathustraslostchild's review against another edition
3.0
Auf der Rückseite steht, Murakami würde die Qualitäten Stephen Kings, Franz Kafkas und Thomas Pynchons vereinen - wer hat sich das denn bitte ausgedacht?
An sich war es eine lesenswerte Geschichte, mit einem schönen Umgang mit psychischen Problemen der Protagonist:innen und einem wirklich bildhaften Schreibstil.
Allerdings ist es wirklich übersexualisiert. Von 4 Frauen, die zu Wort kommen, schläft der Protagonist mit 3. Das ist an sich noch kein allzu großes Problem, aber die Art, in welcher Frauen dargestellt und sexualisiert werden, ist doch höchst fragwürdig, zum einen aus feministischer Perspektive, zum anderen aber auch, weil es einfach irgendwie nervt und der Geschichte einen merkwürdigen Anstrich verleiht. Ständig tauschen irgendwelche intien Szenen als Lückenfüller auf, die nicht selten einfach unangenehm zu lesen sind.
An sich war es eine lesenswerte Geschichte, mit einem schönen Umgang mit psychischen Problemen der Protagonist:innen und einem wirklich bildhaften Schreibstil.
Allerdings ist es wirklich übersexualisiert. Von 4 Frauen, die zu Wort kommen, schläft der Protagonist mit 3. Das ist an sich noch kein allzu großes Problem, aber die Art, in welcher Frauen dargestellt und sexualisiert werden, ist doch höchst fragwürdig, zum einen aus feministischer Perspektive, zum anderen aber auch, weil es einfach irgendwie nervt und der Geschichte einen merkwürdigen Anstrich verleiht. Ständig tauschen irgendwelche intien Szenen als Lückenfüller auf, die nicht selten einfach unangenehm zu lesen sind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness and Grief
Minor: Lesbophobia
libbyb's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Overall the book is HEAVILY influenced by the male gaze!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexism, Suicide, and Grief
tanah04's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexism
literalottie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"I don't know, it's stupid being 20," she said. "I'm just not ready. It feels weird. Like somebody's pushing me from behind."
I'll start with the positive - without a doubt, Murakami's writing style is beautiful. What finally encouraged me to pick up this book was seeing the above quote out of context, and I can say that there were many moments that this book really captured the feeling of being lost at that age, the feeling of being stuck while others around you seem to move through life effortlessly. That's something that really resonates with me, and I really appreciated how Murakami captured it so well. I found the characters to all feel very believable and human - although there is definite room for improvement in how Murakami writes women... from what I've heard though, this is a prevalant issue in his work.
However, I disliked the way this book handled sex. Sex, of course, is a natural and healthy part of life, and given that this book could be boiled down in simplest terms to a "love triangle" romance, sex is somewhat of a given, but this book seemed to hyperfocus on it to a fault, and presented sex as an inevitable or necessary part of any male-female relationship or friendship. This particularly came into play at the end, which I won't elaborate on because of spoilers, but suffice to say I felt disappointed at what happened in that last chapter.
And while we're on the topic of sex, there is also a strange, highly disturbing passage in the middle of the book (view spoiler). It was just so unnecessary, had it not been there my rating could have very well been a whole star higher.
This isn't to say I would never want to read a Murakami again - again, he writes beautifully. I do feel like there was a lot to love about Norwegian Wood, but unfortunately it was held back by some more unsavoury aspects that I struggled to look past. I know this is somewhat of an outlier in his bibliography, as he's known for more "surreal" works, which I would definitely be interested in.
I'll start with the positive - without a doubt, Murakami's writing style is beautiful. What finally encouraged me to pick up this book was seeing the above quote out of context, and I can say that there were many moments that this book really captured the feeling of being lost at that age, the feeling of being stuck while others around you seem to move through life effortlessly. That's something that really resonates with me, and I really appreciated how Murakami captured it so well. I found the characters to all feel very believable and human - although there is definite room for improvement in how Murakami writes women... from what I've heard though, this is a prevalant issue in his work.
However, I disliked the way this book handled sex. Sex, of course, is a natural and healthy part of life, and given that this book could be boiled down in simplest terms to a "love triangle" romance, sex is somewhat of a given, but this book seemed to hyperfocus on it to a fault, and presented sex as an inevitable or necessary part of any male-female relationship or friendship. This particularly came into play at the end, which I won't elaborate on because of spoilers, but suffice to say I felt disappointed at what happened in that last chapter.
And while we're on the topic of sex, there is also a strange, highly disturbing passage in the middle of the book (view spoiler). It was just so unnecessary, had it not been there my rating could have very well been a whole star higher.
This isn't to say I would never want to read a Murakami again - again, he writes beautifully. I do feel like there was a lot to love about Norwegian Wood, but unfortunately it was held back by some more unsavoury aspects that I struggled to look past. I know this is somewhat of an outlier in his bibliography, as he's known for more "surreal" works, which I would definitely be interested in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Terminal illness and Grief
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism