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bella613's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
I didn't love this book the way I loved Killing Commendatore. It was not quite what I expected, especially after hearing it was this book that exploded Murakami into fame. But I did connect with it. As it is with Murakami, there are some uncomfortable sections of the book. But there are some uncomfortable moments in life, so... it's sort of beautiful that he captures it so intensely?
I found myself most drawn to Naoko in this story. Midori as a character is someone I would probably not enjoy spending time with in real life, but added to the story in a mostly positive way. I didn't like Toru much in the same way that one might not like oneself. Listening from his pov felt like looking back on one's own life and seeing all the flaws and mistakes and self-centered choices that were made. But he was very real. That's one thing I also love about Murakami: all of his characters feel undeniably real.
My favorite part of the book was probably the long letter describing the sanatorium and the following visit to the sanatorium.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Rape, Alcohol, Sexual content, Suicide, Death, and Grief
annahollamby's review against another edition
- 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
1.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Grief, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Body shaming, Lesbophobia, Suicide, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, and Emotional abuse
kaylanoellesims's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Suicide, Lesbophobia, Pedophilia, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Self harm
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Panic attacks/disorders, and Infidelity
m4rtt4's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Death, Grief, Sexual content, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Medical content, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Violence, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Lesbophobia
daisiesandbees's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Suicide, Mental illness, Grief, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Pedophilia
Minor: Addiction
bcooper21's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Death, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Blood, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, and Forced institutionalization
zvy_02's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Death, Grief, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Sexism, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Bullying and Gaslighting
cutepatzie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Self harm, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
tawneylee's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Suicide, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Self harm, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Death
anotherbookwithtee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Eating disorder, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Death, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship