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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I think this might be my second favourite Murakami novel to date, following After Dark. Everything is so exquisitely written. Leaving my favourite quote here (best understood with context but still beautiful without):
It is through the subtle and unending oscillation between those two poles that he seeks to find the meaning of his own existence. I have no such need, though, to challenge my life in such a troublesome (or, at the least, unnatural) way. That is because I am endowed with the capacity to believe. I believe in all honesty that something will appear to guide me through the darkest and narrowest tunnel, or across the most desolate plain
It is through the subtle and unending oscillation between those two poles that he seeks to find the meaning of his own existence. I have no such need, though, to challenge my life in such a troublesome (or, at the least, unnatural) way. That is because I am endowed with the capacity to believe. I believe in all honesty that something will appear to guide me through the darkest and narrowest tunnel, or across the most desolate plain
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The plot was interesting but sometimes slow to get through besides where it picked up at the end. My favorite parts were the ones with the Killing Commendatore painting and characters. I liked seeing the similar themes from Murakami’s other books (especially the part with the pit) but looking back it was quite similar to another book of his. Some parts were a bit uncomfy and the MC reminded me a bit of the MC from the Wind-Up Bird Chronicles. Not my favorite Murakami book
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
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
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Peak mediocrity. There were a lot of things I disliked about this book, but none of them were so annoying that I felt compelled to put it down. It was waaaaaaay too long- there were huge swathes of story that could have been edited out with no impact on the story, in my opinion. Truthfully, the most exciting parts of the book probably take up only 300 pages. The length also goes hand in hand with the repetition. I don’t get why, but Murakami would repeat whole refrains of various plot points multiple times. The plot was also not all that compelling, although the last 200 ish pages were entertaining. My absolute least favorite part however, was Murakami’s tendency to include multiple sudden and graphic sexual encounters (the purpose of which I still can’t fathom) that made me rather uncomfortable while reading. Some of these seemed to have more plot relevance than others. Even worse was the repeated discussion of a literal child’s breasts.
These things reluctantly put aside, the scenes in which Murakami discusses painting and art are intriguing and well done. I also surprisingly enjoyed the more “slice of life” bits, although those sections could easily have been removed.
Generally would not recommend, but I’m not totally upset I read it.
These things reluctantly put aside, the scenes in which Murakami discusses painting and art are intriguing and well done. I also surprisingly enjoyed the more “slice of life” bits, although those sections could easily have been removed.
Generally would not recommend, but I’m not totally upset I read it.