Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Vieterilintukronikka by Haruki Murakami

32 reviews

blau_elmo's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This book, to me, is Murakami at his best. Minimal weird, contrived sex scenes that are uncomfortable to sit through. Instead, there is a focus on the story line, which is filled with that magical realism mysticism, in which the quirky, memorable characters act together cohesively to drive the plot forward.

The book uses subtle occurrences, like the disappearance/reappearance of the main character's pet cat Noboru, as a catalyst for other stranger occurrences in the book. Everything is tied together in this convoluted but enthralling web, and Murakami keeps pulling his signature twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.

I would describe this more as a collection of character stories bound together to form one cohesive novel. Every story, from the Lieutenant's war story to Nutmeg's disability, to Okada and May and Creta's unique personalities, creates the blend of adventure and introspection that Murakami does so well.

The comparison between the main character and

the actual Noboru Wataya

is particularly interesting; especially in the framing of "goodness" and "evil" as something shared between the two characters, their similarities driving their rivalry. 

An adventure through and through; my favourite Murakami book for sure.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual content

risemini's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and War

kanderson246's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, and Blood

Moderate: Child death and Abortion

eljarvo's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Abortion

shannanigans's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

directorpurry's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Abortion

maybealexisreading's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

Minor: Sexism and Xenophobia

ireneac's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Sexual content, and Blood

saskia6's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

after i finished this book i was sobbing hysterically but i couldn’t possibly say why. this hit me so hard.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Torture, Kidnapping, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion

Minor: Cursing, Death, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

m4rtt4's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A new drinking game: take a shot every time Murakami mentions someone's breasts.

I read this in English a couple years ago and it didn't hit me quite as hard as Murakami's other thicker novels, thought it was just a language issue and now re-read it in my native tongue. Turns out it wasn't the language, it was the story or maybe me. Not bad this time either, a solid more-than-three-stars, even better if you exclude the excessive #menwritingwomen scenes Murakami's unfortunately known for – and this time, sexualising a minor?? Poor Mei/May. My favourite scenes were the ones set around the war times Lieutenant Mamiya's story and Akasaka Muscot's childhood, though I also liked the Kano sisters and Mei/May a lot and let's be honest, plot-wise there wasn't much to dislike, just not much to really love either. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Abortion, Murder, and War

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Misogyny