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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
I still dislike reviewing short story collections. I can say that the stories with magical realism were my favorites among these, and that all of them were interesting in seeing how the men and women behaved and thought. I found a couple to end earlier than I wanted, but reflection kinda showed me why they did. Interesting stories, even if they weren't overall super amazing.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
1. Drive My Car
2. Kino
3. Yesterday
4. Scheherezade
5. And Independent Organ
6. Samsa in Love
7. Men Without Women
2. Kino
3. Yesterday
4. Scheherezade
5. And Independent Organ
6. Samsa in Love
7. Men Without Women
I'm a fan. This is the first work that I have read of Murakami.
There's some strange elements in a few of these short stories but I don't mean that in a disparaging way. Life is strange, and there are elements that Murakami captures so well. I wouldn't say that everyone would agree, and to those that don't, they probably won't enjoy these on a personal level.
Murakami has this way of capturing male thoughts about women that are honest without simply being perverse, although, I'm sure some would still be offended by his exploration of thoughts that surface in some characters.
I'm still mulling over the story: Kino. There's a distinct shift in this one, to an almost supernatural tone, but also a shift in the stories that follow. There are so many ways to interpret the symbolism that's there, I was left almost disoriented. In the way he executed the ending, I loved it.
I wouldn't recommend this book to just anyone, but there's definitely a few out there perceptive enough to really appreciate it. I look forward to reading more of his books.
There's some strange elements in a few of these short stories but I don't mean that in a disparaging way. Life is strange, and there are elements that Murakami captures so well. I wouldn't say that everyone would agree, and to those that don't, they probably won't enjoy these on a personal level.
Murakami has this way of capturing male thoughts about women that are honest without simply being perverse, although, I'm sure some would still be offended by his exploration of thoughts that surface in some characters.
I'm still mulling over the story: Kino. There's a distinct shift in this one, to an almost supernatural tone, but also a shift in the stories that follow. There are so many ways to interpret the symbolism that's there, I was left almost disoriented. In the way he executed the ending, I loved it.
I wouldn't recommend this book to just anyone, but there's definitely a few out there perceptive enough to really appreciate it. I look forward to reading more of his books.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
Per the usual, Murakami demonstrates his proficiency at putting the reader in the middle of a story without offering either a beginning or an end. Very Hemingwayesque indeed. In this collection, that’s often charming, particularly in “Sansa in Love”.
Parfait pour lire dans la nuit, quand le bébé s’endort tranquillement après un boire.
Meh. I really liked “Samsa in Love”and the first story, “Drive my Car,” held my interest, but the others just meandered and then ended. He writes wonderful descriptions and prose, but really this was quite disappointing.
Out of all the stories in this collection, I think "Men Without Women" is my favorite.
It is a very quick compilation of 7 stories that Haruki Murakami made. It discusses 7 different experiences of men who are considered to be losing a piece of their life and would want to look for it. I really connected with the characters and even if the stories itself may be very short, it is very much an impactful and provides entertaining and metaphorically enriched with ideas about life. :))
The short story collection was a perfect book to start with. The fast-paced bursts of stories helped me avoid boredom and drop reading. Even if there wasn't anything extraordinary about it, I don't regret finishing it.