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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
This dragged on... I LOVE Haruki, don’t get me wrong. He’s one of my favorite authors, IF not my favorite. This book was hard, it didn’t feeeeeel like a Murakami book. It felt more like a short story that just kept going, and going, and going, and....it just didn’t improve. It didn’t leave me wanting more. It left me asking when I was going to finish... oh well.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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:
N/A
This may be my favorite Murakami book; it felt smooth, like he is perfecting the reader's entrance into his partial dream worlds. Once in, I didn't notice time passing as I read, I'm left with a clear picture of the landscapes and the painting studio. I have a picture in my head of the pit and the little bell, and most of all I have a feeling, the feeling the book left me with, and it is pleasant; complicated, subdued, persistent, comfortable, and unhurried. I appreciate my experiences with Murakami and look forward to reading this one again.
681 pages of subtle brilliance. the different storylines weave together so masterfully and seamlessly into the mind and story of the narrator (who, oddly and intriguingly, remains nameless throughout the text). a study of art, a foray into history, a bringing together of disparate worlds or realms of experience - this novel is, finally, a touching and compelling portrait of humanity. i always felt, until the final chapter, that the story was inly just beginning. bravo!
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
The last fiction Murakami book I read was in 2014, when I read [b:Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage|19288239|Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage|Haruki Murakami|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1409000450s/19288239.jpg|24593525]. (My review is here.) At that time, I think I had reached a bit of a burn-out point on Murakami. I had read various books of his &, overall, quite enjoyed his writing. But, many (all?) of his fiction books contain the same elements & themes. Over & over again. Some books were stronger, others weaker. At that point, I felt like Murakami was resting on his laurels rather than trying something new & different. (His fame & popularity would give him the freedom to branch out into new & different areas, in my opinion. I still wish he would take that chance.)
Perhaps a four-year break from his fiction helped out. I greatly enjoyed Killing Commendatore even though, once again, it contains all the same elements & familiar tropes. So, while there's nothing really new here, I feel like he created a relatively unique combo for this story; the painting/artist aspect probably helped because that's something that particularly appeals to me. I'm a bit confused by some of the online references that have said this book is in reference/homage to [b:The Great Gatsby|4671|The Great Gatsby|F. Scott Fitzgerald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1528221267s/4671.jpg|245494] -- I'm not sure I really see much of a connection there. (Perhaps it is over my head?)
Murakami tends to slowly unfold the story & revisit topics, especially in his longer books (of which this is one). I think slightly tighter editing (just slightly) could have produced a better overall novel. Still, it was pleasing & kept me engaged with the story -- a good book.
If you're not a Murakami fan, I don't think this book will convert you. If you are a Murakami fan, there is plenty to like or even love here.
**Thanks to Alfred A. Knopf publishers for sending me an early reader copy to review.**
Perhaps a four-year break from his fiction helped out. I greatly enjoyed Killing Commendatore even though, once again, it contains all the same elements & familiar tropes. So, while there's nothing really new here, I feel like he created a relatively unique combo for this story; the painting/artist aspect probably helped because that's something that particularly appeals to me. I'm a bit confused by some of the online references that have said this book is in reference/homage to [b:The Great Gatsby|4671|The Great Gatsby|F. Scott Fitzgerald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1528221267s/4671.jpg|245494] -- I'm not sure I really see much of a connection there. (Perhaps it is over my head?)
Murakami tends to slowly unfold the story & revisit topics, especially in his longer books (of which this is one). I think slightly tighter editing (just slightly) could have produced a better overall novel. Still, it was pleasing & kept me engaged with the story -- a good book.
If you're not a Murakami fan, I don't think this book will convert you. If you are a Murakami fan, there is plenty to like or even love here.
**Thanks to Alfred A. Knopf publishers for sending me an early reader copy to review.**
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Good, definitely revisited ideas and themes from his earlier novels - not in a particularly different way. Commendatore was cute, but very reminiscent for me of Colonel Sanders from Kafka on the shore.
I feel like someone needs to stand behind him as he writes with a spray bottle of water and spritz him with it every time he talks about underage girls breasts because what the actual fuck my guy.
I feel like someone needs to stand behind him as he writes with a spray bottle of water and spritz him with it every time he talks about underage girls breasts because what the actual fuck my guy.
Fantastic read! A harmonious blend of reality and fantastical elements that only a master writer such as Murakami could ever compose. Though a little stretched out at times, it makes up for it with simple, yet masterful descriptions of life on a mountain. As with most of his books, I struggle to pinpoint what exactly I took from it. However, I know that it definitely gave me a new emotional perspective that does not need to be put into words.