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cecinestpasnicc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
mindgunk's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
jessi_2000's review against another edition
3.0
“The whole terrible fight occured in the area of imagination. That is the precise location of our battlefield. It is there, that we experience our victories and defeats.”
maddieoggero's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
honnari_hannya's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars
I generally prefer Murakami's weird novels to his realistic works, simply because I think the latter move far too slow. Which is probably the point because so many of his characters experience and struggle with ennui to varying degrees, but that doesn't rescue many of his novels from feeling underdeveloped.
However, I think many of the gripes I have about his full length realistic novels work extremely well in this collection. The brevity of these six stories successfully carried those themes of emptiness, aimlessness and claustrophobia without dragging on for 200 pages too long. And if you find a character insufferable to the nth degree, you have the satisfaction of knowing that their story is going to end soon and you'll never have to think of them again.
A lighter read than his other realistic novels, with fewer elements that could be deemed problematic. Recommended for fans of contemporary fiction looking for a starter-Murakami book hesitant to get into his weird magical realism novels (though that's where all the good shit is).
I generally prefer Murakami's weird novels to his realistic works, simply because I think the latter move far too slow. Which is probably the point because so many of his characters experience and struggle with ennui to varying degrees, but that doesn't rescue many of his novels from feeling underdeveloped.
However, I think many of the gripes I have about his full length realistic novels work extremely well in this collection. The brevity of these six stories successfully carried those themes of emptiness, aimlessness and claustrophobia without dragging on for 200 pages too long. And if you find a character insufferable to the nth degree, you have the satisfaction of knowing that their story is going to end soon and you'll never have to think of them again.
A lighter read than his other realistic novels, with fewer elements that could be deemed problematic. Recommended for fans of contemporary fiction looking for a starter-Murakami book hesitant to get into his weird magical realism novels (though that's where all the good shit is).
noahpech's review against another edition
The audiobook wasn't for me. I don't enjoy when the male narrator has to do women's voices.
jess_mango's review against another edition
5.0
"After the Quake" is a collection of 6 short stories that are each in some way loosely connected with the massive 1995 earthquake in Japan. Most of the characters in the stories are in the midst of soul-searching. Murakami is one of my favorite authors and this collection did not disappoint. These stories are further evidence for why I love Murakami---they were fresh and original.
language's review
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
flammetiger's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0