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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
I have a lot of complicated feelings about this book. Murakami has been one of my most beloved authors for most of my life and there are elements to this book that I absolutely love, including typical Murakami tropes like lonely, magical introspective journeys, creepy and hilarious spirits, a cast of bizarre characters, perfect setting and mood (seriously, reading about living on a remote mountain while chugging to my 9-5 on a packed streetcar was a neccessary escape.) But - and I say this with a heavy heart - I can't love his books anymore. If at all.
Murakami has always been terrible at writing women but in this case, they are hopelessly flat, one-dimensional afterthoughts with sexual encounters so deeply uncomfortable and morally compromised I almost had to put the book away (several times). It's not like the characters get this or learn from it or that the morally ambiguous sexual situations are told with any complexity or nuance. The protagonist learns nothing from his actions (I actually think he grows to appreciate them, which is fucked up.) And aside from being objects of desire (platonic or not, it's uncomfortably unclear), the women here exist to be mostly charming but not total beauties or flat chested teens who have the gumption to talk about their body with men they barely know. I cringe just thinking about it.
I've always been reluctant to recommend Murakami, mostly because his books are kind of long and very weird and while I absolutely love that, he's not for everyone. But if you adored him and grew up with him like I have, be cautious if you want to read this book. It took a lot for me to shelve my discomfort and just let the story unfold and if I'm honest, when I did that, I really enjoyed it. But that decision came at a pretty high cost, mostly a betrayal to myself and risking total disillusionment with an author and a body of work that helped define my love of literature.
So like 3 stars I guess?
Murakami has always been terrible at writing women but in this case, they are hopelessly flat, one-dimensional afterthoughts with sexual encounters so deeply uncomfortable and morally compromised I almost had to put the book away (several times). It's not like the characters get this or learn from it or that the morally ambiguous sexual situations are told with any complexity or nuance. The protagonist learns nothing from his actions (I actually think he grows to appreciate them, which is fucked up.) And aside from being objects of desire (platonic or not, it's uncomfortably unclear), the women here exist to be mostly charming but not total beauties or flat chested teens who have the gumption to talk about their body with men they barely know. I cringe just thinking about it.
I've always been reluctant to recommend Murakami, mostly because his books are kind of long and very weird and while I absolutely love that, he's not for everyone. But if you adored him and grew up with him like I have, be cautious if you want to read this book. It took a lot for me to shelve my discomfort and just let the story unfold and if I'm honest, when I did that, I really enjoyed it. But that decision came at a pretty high cost, mostly a betrayal to myself and risking total disillusionment with an author and a body of work that helped define my love of literature.
So like 3 stars I guess?
I don't know what to think or feel about this book ?
I was not a fan ?? What is happening ?
I was not a fan ?? What is happening ?
This might be the most unusual book I’ve ever read; not for the faint of heart. I loved the setting in Japan & learning more about Japanese landscape, art & culture.
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was easy to read and drew me in a lot, however after reading it I’m still a little confused about the ending and the more supernatural parts of the story. Things didn’t seem to connect or be explained as much I wished. The story follows the main character, a portrait painter, at a turn in his previously uneventful life. He lives in a new home and meets a mysterious neighbor who commissions him to paint his portrait. The neighbor reminds me a little of Gatsby, doing absurd and over the top things to get close to one person in particular. And then there is what feels like a whole other plot dealing with a supernatural figure and an underground world. It wasn’t completely unrealistic, but it seemed a little lazy at the end, like the climax came at maybe the last 200 pages, when I think it could of came much sooner and made for a quicker, shorter read. Overall though very engaging and brought up some unique questions for the reader.
wouldve been 5 stars if he painted something cute like a frog or maybe a mushroom :P