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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
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:
Yes
I only have been read Murakami once, Norwegian Wood. And I remember I wasn’t impressed. The plot was flat, the characters were confusing, in short, the book was dull. I don’t know what drew me into Killing Commendatore but I’m not regretting it. In fact, I fell in love. Murakami has a spellbinding way to narrates the events in the painter’s life (I was almost halfway through when I realize, the main character’s name was never mentioned). If I have to use one word to describe this book, it’s BIZARRE. The lines between reality and fantasy were thin, in one chapter the painter seemed to enjoy his solitude in Tomohiko Amada’s house, in the next chapter one of the character in the painting Killing Commendatore came to life and sat on his living room sofa. There was also a backstory of Tomohiko Amada, how his past intertwined with an event in World War II. Wataru Menshiki and Mariye Akikawa also added a mysterious vibe to the storylines.
To be honest, I don’t really grasp the events on the few last chapters but still, I really enjoyed reading this book, I even easily absorbed in curiosity to the uniqueness of every character, of their emotions. This is true; I lay awake at night try to brought the painting Killing Commendatore into my mind. I was in awed whenever the painter narrated his way of painting, how he moved subjects in his mind into a blank canvas. This book convinced me that I need to reread Norwegian Wood, even read another Murakami’s work (I think the smooth translations also held a great role in me falling in love with Murakami).
“That sometimes in life we can’t grasp the boundary between reality and unreality. That boundary always seems to be shifting. As if the border between countries shifts from one day to the next depending on their mood. We need to pay close attention to that movement, otherwise we won’t know which side we’re on.” -page 206.
“There are things people are better off not knowing. That’s all I can say.” -page 227.
“When you get to be my age, you’ll understand how I feel. How much loneliness the truth can cause sometimes.” -page 280.
“There are plenty of things in history that are best left in the shadows. Accurate knowledge does not improve people’s lives. The objective does not necessarily surpass the subjective, you know. Reality does not necessarily extinguish fantasy.” -page 301.
“Memory can give warmth to time. And art can – when it goes well – give shape to that memory, even fix it in history.” -page 407.
“…that you felt you’re just a vehicle receiving a set of genes from one generation and transmitting it to the next. And beyond that duty, you’re no more that a clod of earth.” -page 428.
To be honest, I don’t really grasp the events on the few last chapters but still, I really enjoyed reading this book, I even easily absorbed in curiosity to the uniqueness of every character, of their emotions. This is true; I lay awake at night try to brought the painting Killing Commendatore into my mind. I was in awed whenever the painter narrated his way of painting, how he moved subjects in his mind into a blank canvas. This book convinced me that I need to reread Norwegian Wood, even read another Murakami’s work (I think the smooth translations also held a great role in me falling in love with Murakami).
“That sometimes in life we can’t grasp the boundary between reality and unreality. That boundary always seems to be shifting. As if the border between countries shifts from one day to the next depending on their mood. We need to pay close attention to that movement, otherwise we won’t know which side we’re on.” -page 206.
“There are things people are better off not knowing. That’s all I can say.” -page 227.
“When you get to be my age, you’ll understand how I feel. How much loneliness the truth can cause sometimes.” -page 280.
“There are plenty of things in history that are best left in the shadows. Accurate knowledge does not improve people’s lives. The objective does not necessarily surpass the subjective, you know. Reality does not necessarily extinguish fantasy.” -page 301.
“Memory can give warmth to time. And art can – when it goes well – give shape to that memory, even fix it in history.” -page 407.
“…that you felt you’re just a vehicle receiving a set of genes from one generation and transmitting it to the next. And beyond that duty, you’re no more that a clod of earth.” -page 428.
It's unclear whether the author has anything new to convey; I would have rather reread an early book. The handling of women characters in this one is especially cringey.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
I used to love Murakami, but not so much anymore. I found the writing bloated and tedious (he desperately needs an editor), the plotting tedious, and the characters flat and boring. The same old themes are present, even rehashed in similar forms (a deep pit to contemplate, a quirky pre-adolescent girl who befriends an older man, even ‘little people’- they have all appeared in other, better Murakami novels…). It saddens me to say this, but I am over him.
I couldn’t be sure if I had moved forward or fallen behind, or if I was just circling over the same spot.
Un tanto decepcionante, la verdad. Empezó por buen camino cuando evocaba la misma sensación que [b:Crónica del pájaro que da cuerda al mundo|3392482|Crónica del pájaro que da cuerda al mundo|Haruki Murakami|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348296785s/3392482.jpg|2531376], e incluso por ese personaje que homenajea a [b:El gran Gatsby|539319|El gran Gatsby|F. Scott Fitzgerald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347906393s/539319.jpg|245494], pero el argumento da vueltas sobre sí en el último tercio, alargando la historia innecesariamente para llegar a un final indiferente, cuanto menos. Se entrevé algo de la prosa ambigua y evocadora de Murakami a ratos, pero la historia simplemente se pierde en sus personajes vacíos e insípidos (por no mencionar los ya conocidos fetiches del autor).
Un tanto decepcionante, la verdad. Empezó por buen camino cuando evocaba la misma sensación que [b:Crónica del pájaro que da cuerda al mundo|3392482|Crónica del pájaro que da cuerda al mundo|Haruki Murakami|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348296785s/3392482.jpg|2531376], e incluso por ese personaje que homenajea a [b:El gran Gatsby|539319|El gran Gatsby|F. Scott Fitzgerald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347906393s/539319.jpg|245494], pero el argumento da vueltas sobre sí en el último tercio, alargando la historia innecesariamente para llegar a un final indiferente, cuanto menos. Se entrevé algo de la prosa ambigua y evocadora de Murakami a ratos, pero la historia simplemente se pierde en sus personajes vacíos e insípidos (por no mencionar los ya conocidos fetiches del autor).
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book, but to be honest, after finishing it I still can’t really explain what it was about. I can remember all the pieces and how it made me feel, but it’s very difficult to put any real name to what the book is. A summary of events that happen makes it sound like a silly story and yet it’s strangely powerful. I think it’s meant to be like a great painting, one that you have to let sink in for a long time. Some parts of the book go into almost uncomfortable detail but the descriptions are also what I loved most about the authors writing. Clearly the work of an artist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Child death, Sexual violence, Dementia, Grief, Murder
Minor: Genocide, Infidelity, Rape, Suicide, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
It's definitely a unique mix of mystery, romance & spirituality. I thought the end was a bit drawn out (namely Mariye's recalling of events) and the wrap-up of the story quite unsatisfying.
However, I am eager to check out other titles by this author. His style is intriguingly special.
However, I am eager to check out other titles by this author. His style is intriguingly special.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated