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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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:
Yes
This was strange and also a little unsettling. I’ve got a lot to say and think about but it all becomes a big mush of clay when I try to get it out of me. This unraveled and had themes that I think about almost every day. It’s interesting how much of everyday life I saw in this.
3.75/5⭐️
3.75/5⭐️
Strange and thoughtful.
Murakami's writing is a mixture of mundane and insightful, which creates an unusually moving reading experience.
This collections has five short stories revolving around the idea of Desire as the title suggests. The essence of and trigger for that emotion in each narrative is radically different, be it inexplicable hunger, love at first sight, birthday wishes, sexual cravings... Yet all these stories come back to relationships and how, as humans, we rely on others to meet those yearnings.
As with most of Murakami's work, this collection came through as a reflection on the human condition. I would recommend it to anyone dwelling into those waters.
Murakami's writing is a mixture of mundane and insightful, which creates an unusually moving reading experience.
This collections has five short stories revolving around the idea of Desire as the title suggests. The essence of and trigger for that emotion in each narrative is radically different, be it inexplicable hunger, love at first sight, birthday wishes, sexual cravings... Yet all these stories come back to relationships and how, as humans, we rely on others to meet those yearnings.
As with most of Murakami's work, this collection came through as a reflection on the human condition. I would recommend it to anyone dwelling into those waters.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Today I realised that I hadn't read any Murakami in a criminally long time, and I've rediscovered what makes him such an incredibly talented author. There are few books that can actually dig themselves into my brain and sit there, slowly stewing whilst I get on with my day and this collection, specifically the last story, has done just that. I've felt very recognised by the man, who lives life as though he was following a 'well-laid-out highway', not entirely having a handle on why he's doing things, just an understanding of what other people expect. It's phrasing like this that make realise how much I've been missing out on when I leave Murakami for too long. I feel like I unlock a new understanding of bits of myself when I read his books. More than anything, reading this hurt more than I thought it would. This afternoon has been populated by a strange sense of catharsis, reading other experiences of relationships. The time for SOME of Murakami's ideas has come (loving people actively?? Absolutely.) but his musings on inevitability can take a backseat. People aren't made to be constantly in the orbit of that 'one love' that Murakami sticks on a pedestal. Life goes on. So will not be taking your teachings on that, sorry Haruki. And will be leaving it a good couple of months before reading Sputnik :)
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot