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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
relaxing
sad
slow-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:
No
“Memory can give warmth to time.”
A painter loses his wife and his inspiration to paint. A dear friends offers him to reside in his father's mountain house, who also happened to be a famous painter. After many peaceful and recovering days of painting go by, he becomes wrapped up in the complicated and mysterious story of Menshiki, his neighbour, and the ghosts of the past that still seem to haunt the mountain house.
I am very much in two minds about this book. Some of the symbolism certainly was not lost on me. However, it took about 400 pages for the story to really take off and that is far too long. There were some interesting pieces here and there before that but very little. It could be at least 200 pages shorter, in my opinion. Another thing that annoyed me more than anything was the constant repetition of plot elements and historical events. Some were explained over and over again, as if we had not read about them before. What was most disappointing was that Murakami at some point felt the need to use such an insultingly basic plot device. He had Menshiki relate something about a historical event on the phone to the painter who clearly had already acknowledged that he was aware of this event and what it was about. I really do not expect that type of exposition from someone like Murakami and it baffled me a bit.
Sure, there is a great deal of symbolism going on in the book. An insane amount if you know where to look. But it really just was not my thing. Some parts were written so well, I felt myself sucked into the scene and it felt like I was there. Other parts, I struggled so much to even continue to read it. I normally fly through a Murakami book but this one was tough. Perhaps I read it at the wrong time or took to long inbetween readings that I muddled things? Either way, not an overly positive response from me at this time. Perhap I will try it again in the future.
A painter loses his wife and his inspiration to paint. A dear friends offers him to reside in his father's mountain house, who also happened to be a famous painter. After many peaceful and recovering days of painting go by, he becomes wrapped up in the complicated and mysterious story of Menshiki, his neighbour, and the ghosts of the past that still seem to haunt the mountain house.
I am very much in two minds about this book. Some of the symbolism certainly was not lost on me. However, it took about 400 pages for the story to really take off and that is far too long. There were some interesting pieces here and there before that but very little. It could be at least 200 pages shorter, in my opinion. Another thing that annoyed me more than anything was the constant repetition of plot elements and historical events. Some were explained over and over again, as if we had not read about them before. What was most disappointing was that Murakami at some point felt the need to use such an insultingly basic plot device. He had Menshiki relate something about a historical event on the phone to the painter who clearly had already acknowledged that he was aware of this event and what it was about. I really do not expect that type of exposition from someone like Murakami and it baffled me a bit.
Sure, there is a great deal of symbolism going on in the book. An insane amount if you know where to look. But it really just was not my thing. Some parts were written so well, I felt myself sucked into the scene and it felt like I was there. Other parts, I struggled so much to even continue to read it. I normally fly through a Murakami book but this one was tough. Perhaps I read it at the wrong time or took to long inbetween readings that I muddled things? Either way, not an overly positive response from me at this time. Perhap I will try it again in the future.
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book could as well have been lesser than half its size!
The extra pages never seemed to add much value to the story in itself.
The story though, was quite intriguing. But the pace was too slow and there weren't many moments where I was curious to know more.
The extra pages never seemed to add much value to the story in itself.
The story though, was quite intriguing. But the pace was too slow and there weren't many moments where I was curious to know more.
okay, listen.. Muakami is a writing GENIUS but this particular one was above my pay grade. there was no storyline, it was a storyCIRCLE (think circle of life) and it sort of frustrated me. in the end I was both in awe and very confused at the journey of an artists "re-birth" in to the world. if you enjoy abstract ideas, metaphors, and are a history buff then I would highly recommend it - because it was super well done! just never again lol
انگار موراکامی به کسی پول داده تا کارهایش را کپی کند. استفاده از همان چیزها و همان الگوها. شاید هم موراکامی سوراخ دعای خواننده راپیدا کرده و به ترکیب برنده دست نمی‌زند. مردان تنها، زنان عجیب، موجودات خیالی، راه‌های طولانی، ارتباطات عقیم، موسیقی کلاسیک، دیالوگ‌ها طولانی، درهایی که باز می‌شوند. کتاب ناامید کننده است و جاهایی شاید بخواهید آن را کنار بگذارید. امیدوارم نا امید نشید.
Such a good good book. Really weird how fixated he is on sex and that he keeps talking about a 13 year old like that. Other than that though superb.
Magical really fits it. It slots so well into the story and the themes. I love his transformation over the book. I love how he talks about art in it. I love the message on the transient aspect of meaning. Just very good. Murakamis style works really well for portraying kind of boring dreary people. It’s good
Magical really fits it. It slots so well into the story and the themes. I love his transformation over the book. I love how he talks about art in it. I love the message on the transient aspect of meaning. Just very good. Murakamis style works really well for portraying kind of boring dreary people. It’s good
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No