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sherlys's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
aimee_faithx's review against another edition
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? Yes
2.5
There were good parts but overall it was pretty meh. None of the characters are particularly likeable or fully fleshed out. The way women are written about in basically only a sexual manner and often related to kids was icky.
I finished the book but I do not understand why it’s so popular and couldn’t recommend.
I finished the book but I do not understand why it’s so popular and couldn’t recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide, Death of parent, and Sexual content
circleofgrace's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
This book was fine - but that is perhaps the best thing I can say about it. It commutes a crime almost worse than being bad, it made me feel apathetic. The plot became repetitive and the characters bit thin. I enjoy sex in books as much as the next person, but in this book it didn’t quite illicit heart thumping anticipation but rather mild embarrassment for both author and characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
kippn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
giving it higher because of the writing but was not the best read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Pedophilia, and Sexual content
janainthebooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
3.0
I understand it is the perspective of a 19 year old boy but the way women are viewed and described in this book is extremely superficial, overtly sexual and plane boring. This one sided and objectifying way of storytelling takes away from the depth of the story and the of the characters. The story itself is rather slow paced and at times hard to get through, but gets more interesting in the last third. All in all its an intriguing plot and some passages are beautifully poetic, but it could've been executed better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Grief, Suicide, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Minor: Classism
scraticeage's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
bmnayr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Tremendously heavy subject matter for what is apparently considered "just a love story" from Murakami. I suspect this will be the first of several of his works I find myself stuck into. Relatively straightforward prose until it isn't anymore. Some of the imagery is striking in a way that's a little painful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, and Mental illness
bendebec's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-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
4.25
I found the emotional journey travelled by this book to be very engaging.
This author has an excellent method of delivering an emotional gut punch.
The characters are complex and engaging, and I was very invested in seeing how things developed.
While in some ways the ending is fitting, I personally did not like it, and it hampered some of my enjoyment of the book.
This author has an excellent method of delivering an emotional gut punch.
The characters are complex and engaging, and I was very invested in seeing how things developed.
While in some ways the ending is fitting, I personally did not like it, and it hampered some of my enjoyment of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide
lac35's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
. Coming of age novel. Set in Japan. Reflections on life and death. Lyrical .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Suicide
vanghosts's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide