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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I usually enjoy Murakami works, but this one fell flat for me. There was plenty there to take away, and I may change my rating over time, but this initial reaction I want to capture. The collection isn’t bad, most of the stories are well written, they just lack any sort of pull. (That also might be why it took me a little while to finish the book.) If you’re a Murakami fan, yes, I would say give this a go. If this is your first venture into his works, I would recommend something else—depending on your tastes.
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Picked this up at a hotel ‘left behind’ bookshelf and it was an enjoyable quick one day read collection of Murakami’s short stories, translated by several different folks. (How appropriate after just finishing Extinction of Irena Rey!) Many of them are stories within stories, which still manages to work despite their brevity.
Selected quotes:
P21 “This was something sure to be crammed full of warm secrets, like an antique clock built when peace filled the world.”
Selected quotes:
P21 “This was something sure to be crammed full of warm secrets, like an antique clock built when peace filled the world.”
P75 “Maybe working on the little things as dutifully and honestly as we can is how we can stay sane when the world is falling apart.”
P85 relates so much to the last book I read, about translations and retellings and cult of Author “…I’ve changed some of the facts, though this doesn’t have a bearing on the overall story. Still, o think things took place pretty much as set out. I say this because though I might have forgotten some of the details, I distinctly recall the general tone. When you listen to somebody’s story and then try to reproduce it in writing, the tones the main thing. Get the tone right and you have a true story on your hands. Maybe some of the facts aren’t quite correct, but that doesn’t matter - it actually might elevate the truth factor of the story. “
P85 relates so much to the last book I read, about translations and retellings and cult of Author “…I’ve changed some of the facts, though this doesn’t have a bearing on the overall story. Still, o think things took place pretty much as set out. I say this because though I might have forgotten some of the details, I distinctly recall the general tone. When you listen to somebody’s story and then try to reproduce it in writing, the tones the main thing. Get the tone right and you have a true story on your hands. Maybe some of the facts aren’t quite correct, but that doesn’t matter - it actually might elevate the truth factor of the story. “
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
I bought this small book on a whim whilst camping for one night in Lincolnshire. I was taken by its small form (6 x 4 inches, 128 pages) and writer. I've not read any Haruki Murakami before but my wife has and she found him good but not easy.
I very much enjoyed it. I'm not sure I could take a whole novel of his but dipping into this over the last few months has been very nice. I couldn't help but wonder if these writings, translated by three different translators, would authentically carry his voice but they style seemed consistent.
The stories are curious little pieces on desire of several sorts. Quite hum-drum and day to day but quite affecting.
Glad i read it.
I very much enjoyed it. I'm not sure I could take a whole novel of his but dipping into this over the last few months has been very nice. I couldn't help but wonder if these writings, translated by three different translators, would authentically carry his voice but they style seemed consistent.
The stories are curious little pieces on desire of several sorts. Quite hum-drum and day to day but quite affecting.
Glad i read it.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Haruki Murakami has a way of telling stories that makes you feel like you're listening to someone recount a dream—calm, a little surreal, and deeply personal. This short story collection explores different shades of human longing: hunger, love, loss, dreams, and the quiet ache of wanting something just out of reach.
It's almost cinematic, A little offbeat, a little melancholic, but also filled with humor and warmth.
The sense of recognition in these stories is comforting, a feeling that you’ve thought these thoughts before, that you’ve wrestled with similar feelings and reading how others carry their own. There’s peace in that.
Murakami’s signature oddness is here, of course. His characters are wonderfully imperfect, and that makes them even more memorable. They’re not larger-than-life; they’re people you might meet, people you might be.
Reading Desire was a reminder of why I love Murakami—his ability to make me laugh, to make me reflect, and to leave me with small, beautiful moments.
It's almost cinematic, A little offbeat, a little melancholic, but also filled with humor and warmth.
The sense of recognition in these stories is comforting, a feeling that you’ve thought these thoughts before, that you’ve wrestled with similar feelings and reading how others carry their own. There’s peace in that.
Murakami’s signature oddness is here, of course. His characters are wonderfully imperfect, and that makes them even more memorable. They’re not larger-than-life; they’re people you might meet, people you might be.
Reading Desire was a reminder of why I love Murakami—his ability to make me laugh, to make me reflect, and to leave me with small, beautiful moments.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I didn’t think any of the stories were that noteworthy but was impressed by how often balls were mentioned