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dikshya's review against another edition
reflective
sad
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? Yes
2.5
nadia32's review against another edition
4.0
In a shocking turn of events, I loved Murakami. Very easy to get into and read, very much as filled with sexual women as people say, but surprisingly not as obtuse as expected. I enjoyed this a lot, and having a book club discussion helped me enjoy it even more.
benee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
michellechien930's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first Murakami, and I fell in love. I don't know what particularly drew me to this story- perhaps it was the simple descriptions of everyday life that reflected a universal truth: that everyone was lonely in one way or another.
debanjana_haldar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
zaneworlf's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
elusorius's review against another edition
2.0
I finished reading this book while I was sick and honestly, I didn't really like it.
The plot was boring, not much was happening and therefore nothing compelled me to keep reading.
I didn't like any of the characters. The main character was very bland. He seemed pretentious and whiny, and I could not understand why all the women were so into him. Speaking of the women, some parts were quite sexist. A direct quote: "A beautiful, young girl like you has got to have a man to hold her and make her happy."
Additionally, all women were needy, pick-me girls. They all had trauma that was sexualized. The main character didn't have any women he was simply friends with. Every single relationship, romantic and platonic alike, was harmful in some way and there was a lot of infidelity that was considered normal.
And during the sex scenes, comparisons to young girls would be made. Even outside of the sex scenes, there were just so many descriptions of breasts.
Now, the book did have some good parts. The best part was its prose. Murakami's writing is truly beautiful, and he draws you into his world with ease. Some parts of the story also had deep messages that resounded with me, about death and grief.
In the end, I would give this 1.5 stars. But I will round it up to 2/5.
The plot was boring, not much was happening and therefore nothing compelled me to keep reading.
I didn't like any of the characters. The main character was very bland. He seemed pretentious and whiny, and I could not understand why all the women were so into him. Speaking of the women, some parts were quite sexist. A direct quote: "A beautiful, young girl like you has got to have a man to hold her and make her happy."
Additionally, all women were needy, pick-me girls. They all had trauma that was sexualized. The main character didn't have any women he was simply friends with. Every single relationship, romantic and platonic alike, was harmful in some way and there was a lot of infidelity that was considered normal.
And during the sex scenes, comparisons to young girls would be made. Even outside of the sex scenes, there were just so many descriptions of breasts.
Now, the book did have some good parts. The best part was its prose. Murakami's writing is truly beautiful, and he draws you into his world with ease. Some parts of the story also had deep messages that resounded with me, about death and grief.
In the end, I would give this 1.5 stars. But I will round it up to 2/5.
lennart_arvid's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
maxreads1720's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ohh, Murakami, you’ve done it again (for me, at least). This was a lot different from Kafka on the Shore, but it was really another great book. It left me feeling so heavy, the whole book being really sad, but it was great read. Obviously, that scene was really screwed up, and it’s hilarious that Toru sleeps with pretty much every woman he’s involved with. Also, why was one chapter ~90 pages long?? Anyway, to conclude, I love Murakami’s writing style, and I feel like I get sucked into this world he builds for us. I couldn’t put this book down! I enjoyed it a lot, and I definitely recommend this book.
folklorestan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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
4.5