Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
This is a belated review because I finished this 2 months ago. This book was such a slow burn and hard to get into, but was worth the effort and it was entertaining along the way although the plot felt slow. It was just the right departure from reality and suspended belief for me. So much happens in the last quarter of the book after building up for so long, but it comes full circle and I think the ending was satisfying. I loved the creative deep dives and how the meaning of the titular work revealed layers and layers over time, connecting a lost history with a found present. I loved the odd but realistic characters and I think I took away some life lessons, including that we can choose to believe, even if it doesn’t come naturally or we have doubts. The gray area will have you not disappointed but never happy, in perpetuity!
3,5.
Rakastin mystistä, mutta toiveikasta ja taianomaista tunnelmaa ja kirjailijan taitoa kuvata ns. arkisia tapahtumia ja elämää kiinnostavasti ja kauniisti. Tähän mahtui paljon tärkeitä aiheita, kuten läheisen dementia, joka puhutteli mua. Ei tuntunu yhtään 800 sivulta ja sopi tähän kevääseen, kun oon käyny maalauskurssilla!
Jos tästä poistais kaikki sketchyt kuvailut lasten ja teini-ikäisten tisseistä vois olla ainakin 4,5 tähteä. En tajua miks tämmöst piti ees tunkee tänne, mutta oon vähän kuullu, että samanlaista löytyy muistaki Murakamin kirjoista, mikä ärsyttää, koska muuten tykkäsin tästä niin hitosti ja haluun lukee lisää... Alan googlailee jos joku sen kirjoista ois vähemmän setämiesmäinen
Rakastin mystistä, mutta toiveikasta ja taianomaista tunnelmaa ja kirjailijan taitoa kuvata ns. arkisia tapahtumia ja elämää kiinnostavasti ja kauniisti. Tähän mahtui paljon tärkeitä aiheita, kuten läheisen dementia, joka puhutteli mua. Ei tuntunu yhtään 800 sivulta ja sopi tähän kevääseen, kun oon käyny maalauskurssilla!
Jos tästä poistais kaikki sketchyt kuvailut lasten ja teini-ikäisten tisseistä vois olla ainakin 4,5 tähteä. En tajua miks tämmöst piti ees tunkee tänne, mutta oon vähän kuullu, että samanlaista löytyy muistaki Murakamin kirjoista, mikä ärsyttää, koska muuten tykkäsin tästä niin hitosti ja haluun lukee lisää... Alan googlailee jos joku sen kirjoista ois vähemmän setämiesmäinen
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
After receiving this novel as a highly-anticipated christmas present, I skimmed several reviews from respected literary critics, many of whom mourned Murakami's "loss" of his narrative genius. As a result, I began reading with few expectations. However, despite having read and enjoyed the majority of Murakami's works, I couldn't disagree more with such articles. I am not the first to admit that his pacing and stylistic choices will not satisfy or entertain every reader, and I found this particularly true for Killing Commendatore. In fact, I rarely recommend his writing to others. But for those who are familiar with Murakami and seek a novel which manages to inspire and intrigue while addressing themes of identity, memory, and the very nature of artistry and reality itself, I humbly implore you to give your time to this title.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
3.5 stars rounded down...
My uncle gave this to me because the main character is a painter and so am I.. but that’s all we have in common.
The writing of Murakami is rightfully scandalized because of his portrayal of women... the adult male protagonist engages in conversation about a 12 y/o girl’s breasts.. WITH HER ? And the wife.. a flat character. Other than the odd writing of women, the plot is drawn out, very peculiar, and doesn’t pick up until half way through the already very long novel. I will say though, once it starts it doesn’t stop. I was fully engaged for the last 200 pages ( which makes me wonder what the first 300 pages said..) The latter half of the novel is like a trip on shrooms, (not that I’d know), but still the ending left me dissatisfied
I did love the writing of the protagonist painting and his work flow as well as the neighbor character. An odd but interesting book if your looking for a slow one
My uncle gave this to me because the main character is a painter and so am I.. but that’s all we have in common.
The writing of Murakami is rightfully scandalized because of his portrayal of women... the adult male protagonist engages in conversation about a 12 y/o girl’s breasts.. WITH HER ? And the wife.. a flat character. Other than the odd writing of women, the plot is drawn out, very peculiar, and doesn’t pick up until half way through the already very long novel. I will say though, once it starts it doesn’t stop. I was fully engaged for the last 200 pages ( which makes me wonder what the first 300 pages said..) The latter half of the novel is like a trip on shrooms, (not that I’d know), but still the ending left me dissatisfied
I did love the writing of the protagonist painting and his work flow as well as the neighbor character. An odd but interesting book if your looking for a slow one
Unfortunately I found this book pretty dull in comparison to other Murakami books. Also, I've always had my issues with how Murakami portrays women, but this book was really on another level. The way he wrote about the twelve-year-old girl made me extremely uncomfortable and felt very unrealistic, real “her breasts boobed boobily down the stairs” type stuff.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes