Scan barcode
bella613's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I didn't love this book the way I loved Killing Commendatore. It was not quite what I expected, especially after hearing it was this book that exploded Murakami into fame. But I did connect with it. As it is with Murakami, there are some uncomfortable sections of the book. But there are some uncomfortable moments in life, so... it's sort of beautiful that he captures it so intensely?
I found myself most drawn to Naoko in this story. Midori as a character is someone I would probably not enjoy spending time with in real life, but added to the story in a mostly positive way. I didn't like Toru much in the same way that one might not like oneself. Listening from his pov felt like looking back on one's own life and seeing all the flaws and mistakes and self-centered choices that were made. But he was very real. That's one thing I also love about Murakami: all of his characters feel undeniably real.
My favorite part of the book was probably the long letter describing the sanatorium and the following visit to the sanatorium.
Graphic: Grief, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Rape, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
cinzia_2509's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Suicide, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
sammm_888's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
vermiglio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
nelsonlala's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Alcohol, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
bexdot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Chronic illness, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Minor: Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Sexual harassment, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
dugfromthedirt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcohol and Mental illness
Moderate: Ableism, Vomit, Death, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Sexism
Minor: Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Outing, Cancer, and Abandonment
2hermione4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
*Check trigger warnings*
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Suicide, Pedophilia, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexism, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Fire/Fire injury
alex2023's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
greatu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Cancer, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Fire/Fire injury