Reviews

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

lina973's review against another edition

5.0

I cannot express how much I love Murakami’s writing. I loved how in depth each character was explored and felt completely immersed in this surreal and unusual story. The mundane events of everyday life are slightly warped to take on a whole other meaning and journey.

cjvphd's review against another edition

challenging funny mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

pepper_roni8's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.25

michael_taylor's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective

3.5

This book really runs the gamut of how I feel about Murakami. Sometimes I love him. When he's weaving together threads of semi connected surrealism I'm all in.  Gimme those weird dreams and half-visions and cats with crooked tales!

Sometimes I can't be bothered with his digressisions. Why were Creta & Malta Kano in this book? They all but vanish and then kinda (maybe?) matter towards the end. Sometimes, the side plots are far, FAR more compelling than the main story (Loved the Lt. Well stuff.

I think he's an author with a unique prose that isn't much concerned with how (or even if) the reader picks up what he's putting down. In this particular case, it didn't work as well for me as it could have. 

sillytoiler88's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark inspiring mysterious reflective 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

4.25

theogb451's review against another edition

I read two Murakami books in the early 2000s - Hard Boiled Wonderland and Kafka on the Shore. I enjoyed them both a lot. But I think in the intervening years I've changed, I've become more aware of a certain sort of male writing style and I have less patience with it. I got 50% through this according to Kindle and it's not a short book but I couldn't go any further. The women are all weird caricatures and one at least tells a tale of abuse that is horrific but is treated by her and the main character as if it's just a matter-of-fact.

callikat's review against another edition

slow-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? Yes

3.25

tomasveiga's review against another edition

4.0

História muito interessante, peca um pouco pela extensão da obra. Na minha opinião é demasiado extensa e cansativa apesar da história ser muito boa, umas das melhores de Murakami.

jenniey3's review against another edition

2.0

There were some very weird sex scenes, kinda felt like it was written by a male whose a fake ally and likes fantasy books and loves chess and is a ginger. Really could be anyone I guess.

boucan's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25