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bendebec's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a really strange book. Looking back at it, it seems like little actually ended up happening, the logic behind the events is very difficult to discern, and there isn't a real conclusion.
Despite this, I was quite well engaged throughout the book, so clearly the author is doing something right.
It often feels like a lot of the things happening in the book are a metaphor, rather than to be taken literally, maybe I'm dumb, maybe I haven't thought enough about it, but I can't conclusively figure out what is meant.
The little side stories that go on however are really compelling, especially the lieutenant's story.
I also would be remiss to not mention how Murakami seems to like to write about the shiftless, jobless 30 something guy, who every woman he meets seems to find him fascinating.
Overall, I enjoyed it, although I would have a hard time recommending it to someone, due to the abstract nature, as well as the total lack of a hook.
Despite this, I was quite well engaged throughout the book, so clearly the author is doing something right.
It often feels like a lot of the things happening in the book are a metaphor, rather than to be taken literally, maybe I'm dumb, maybe I haven't thought enough about it, but I can't conclusively figure out what is meant.
The little side stories that go on however are really compelling, especially the lieutenant's story.
I also would be remiss to not mention how Murakami seems to like to write about the shiftless, jobless 30 something guy, who every woman he meets seems to find him fascinating.
Overall, I enjoyed it, although I would have a hard time recommending it to someone, due to the abstract nature, as well as the total lack of a hook.
zachghalayini's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
rkaufman13's review against another edition
1.0
[This review is rated R for language.]
Okay.
My first Murakami experience was with 1Q84. My somewhat ambivalent review of THAT experience is here. Without going back and reading that word for word, what sticks out for me from 1Q was the psychic whore (although I guess she didn't take money, did she?) and the annoying ugly private investigator who shows up 2/3 of the way through the book. And just the general atmosphere of weirdness, which was great in parts and in other parts just bewildering.
Oh, this wasn't his best work, people said. Read some of his earlier stuff. they said. Okay, so I picked up Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.
...And there's a fucking psychic whore and the SAME GODDAMN PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR.
I am upset, y'all. I am upset with all y'all for talking me into reading this and I am upset with myself for being talked into it. I'm sorry. I know Murakami is "great." But I can't deal. I can't deal with all the sexy ladies healing men through sex and I can't deal with all the women, even the "strong" women, being super sexy and thinking about being raped all the time, and I can't deal with this wack-ass brand of magical realism that just serves to make the story weirder rather than, you know, tell us something useful about the characters or advance the plot.
I realize this may be my personal failing but I am over Murakami.
Okay.
My first Murakami experience was with 1Q84. My somewhat ambivalent review of THAT experience is here. Without going back and reading that word for word, what sticks out for me from 1Q was the psychic whore (although I guess she didn't take money, did she?) and the annoying ugly private investigator who shows up 2/3 of the way through the book. And just the general atmosphere of weirdness, which was great in parts and in other parts just bewildering.
Oh, this wasn't his best work, people said. Read some of his earlier stuff. they said. Okay, so I picked up Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.
...And there's a fucking psychic whore and the SAME GODDAMN PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR.
I am upset, y'all. I am upset with all y'all for talking me into reading this and I am upset with myself for being talked into it. I'm sorry. I know Murakami is "great." But I can't deal. I can't deal with all the sexy ladies healing men through sex and I can't deal with all the women, even the "strong" women, being super sexy and thinking about being raped all the time, and I can't deal with this wack-ass brand of magical realism that just serves to make the story weirder rather than, you know, tell us something useful about the characters or advance the plot.
I realize this may be my personal failing but I am over Murakami.
sydknee3000's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
matthwecam's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lievedwh's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
bantwalkers's review against another edition
3.0
I like a lot of things about this book. Its strangeness. Its search for a real truth and a real reality. Its brutalness. But it's also a hard book to wrap one's head around. Where is it going? What does it mean? And sometimes it meanders almost cruelly to nowhere.
However, the characters are strong, and amidst the strangeness there are a few good mysteries that kept me rapt.
And it does try to address more important things than, say, a Dan Brown novel. I just think it was a little too frustrating for most readers. Me included.
However, the characters are strong, and amidst the strangeness there are a few good mysteries that kept me rapt.
And it does try to address more important things than, say, a Dan Brown novel. I just think it was a little too frustrating for most readers. Me included.
dcunitz's review against another edition
4.0
"If I'm pessimistic, then the adults in this world who are not pessimistic are a bunch of idiots."
tonycarr72's review against another edition
3.0
Yeah....weird and not sure if i liked it or if i think it is so-so,.....