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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
If you described this book’s entire plot to me, I would roll my eyes and decide it wasn’t worth the read. However, that is so far from the case. Murakami’s novel is beautifully written, and I was so invested in even the banalities of the main character’s life. I felt I was going on a spiritual and magical journey far before I realized it. Murakami’s thesis that transformation comes in many forms is beautifully explained through metaphor—and I mean this in more ways than one (no spoilers!) Killing Commendatore made me feel so deeply my chest hurt, and I cried as I finished, growing so attached to all of the characters and their journeys that I cried not only because I would miss them, but also out of joy and pride for the strides they had made. As an avid avoider of long novels (in fact, I put this down several times simply when life for in the way) this is definitely worth the almost 1000 pages.
I finished this book which I consider an achievement. It just wasn't for me. I found the characters flat and just the book overall was strange to me. The audio book was well cast.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I have always been a huge fan of Murakami's novels and though I'd heard controversy surrounding his depictions of women, I was either a) too young to notice these issues when reading his novels in the past or b) was yet to come across it, but alas, the time has come where I have seen it all. Honestly, I'm so upset that I wasted so much time reading 400 pages of this novel, just to realise I simply could not stand another description of a 12 year old girl's breasts. Every single male character in this novel is interesting, heroic and full of great back story, whereas every female character feels like they are simply there to propel Murakami's inappropriate fantasies. The only thing I have come to know about any of the female characters in this novel, is what their breasts look like. It got to the point where I was quite literally cringing at certain statements or passages in this book.
It is disappointing because the story line of this book was incredibly intriguing and the imagery was vivid and delightful. Murakami is an incredible author and I have enjoyed many of his novels in the past, but I fear this one might be my last.
It is disappointing because the story line of this book was incredibly intriguing and the imagery was vivid and delightful. Murakami is an incredible author and I have enjoyed many of his novels in the past, but I fear this one might be my last.
I've read Murakami before, and liked him. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this one but I found this drawn out and boring. The details of everything were killing me, and if I had to hear him talk about a pre-teen's breasts one more time, I think I would have given up.
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated