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ryangroom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Vomit, Rape, and Abortion
bigolarlocat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I've read some other of his works and what I've found is that the themes of the book precede the narrative. What matters in this book are the themes of fate vs rebirth, light vs dark etc. and how our characters grapple with them.
In finishing the book I was initially left somewhat disappointed in the lack of a conclusive plot, however I find the excitement of his novels come from how you, as the reader, deconstruct the plot based on your interpretation of his themes. You are always left guessing because there are never clear answers and the freedom to organise a plot by feeling like your solving a mystery is an experience that is rare and ultimately rewarding.
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexism, War, Trafficking, and Suicide attempt
ekkane'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
5.0
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Suicide, Rape, and Incest
amalia_tealeaf's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Torture, War, and Rape
Moderate: Incest
itzelgmadrid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, War, Violence, Suicide, and Rape
dsalazar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
This is all minor because overall I enjoyed the depth the characters had. This is my first Murakami book and it was exactly what I expected in terms of magical realism and explaining a mystery just enough that you want to know more but also would rather not know at the same time. So many unsettling scenes that were page turners. He captures complex emotions so well I had to put the book down during some of the more (literally) torturous chapters.
100% recommend
Graphic: Abandonment, War, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Confinement, and Torture
Moderate: Rape and Vomit
Minor: Abortion, Animal death, Incest, and Suicide
mirandanoel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Incest and Rape
anemosise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: War, Rape, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Abortion, Incest, and Infidelity
glorytowers05's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, War, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Torture, and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide and Abortion
kathleendayle's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Body horror, and Torture
Moderate: Confinement, War, Slavery, and Violence