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soyboysimon's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It was okay, nothing spectacular. The stories weren't long enough for me to connect with any of the characters, and they all seemed like self-inserts anyways. Like Murakami was trying to be wise and tell life lessons disguised as witty antidotes. It just didn't work for me, I was bored
haleyann_'s review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
spike_spiegel1's review
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mrmysteryfox's review
3.0
A very music themed set of short stories; not all but most of the stories revolve around a memory tied to music. Also the final Murakami fiction book to complete my read through (will re read 1Q84 at some point this year)
Liked
Standout stories were the very strange story about hanging out with a monkey and a tale about an childhood obsession with a girl carrying a Beatles record.
Dislike
Title story is the last story in the book and ended too abruptly. Not sure of the meaning of it - perhaps about not knowing who you are…
To remember
“And now here I was, a first person singular. If I’d chose a different direction, mostly likely I wouldn’t be here”
Liked
Standout stories were the very strange story about hanging out with a monkey and a tale about an childhood obsession with a girl carrying a Beatles record.
Dislike
Title story is the last story in the book and ended too abruptly. Not sure of the meaning of it - perhaps about not knowing who you are…
To remember
“And now here I was, a first person singular. If I’d chose a different direction, mostly likely I wouldn’t be here”
alisylvi's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
akiluos's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
claramilena's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
isabellabriar's review
5.0
I love Murakami’s writing and this collection of short stories is brilliant!
stardustrain's review
slow-paced
1.5
An insipid collection of meandering, droll and pointless stories. As someone who’s read Murakami since 2008, this has to be his most tedious work to get through, despite it being one of the shortest.
A rolodeck of uninspiring characters, boring narration, and overt misogyny that only Murakami is capable of - something that his previous work compensated for by being bizarre and intriguing, but which this series brings to the forefront with its sheer emptiness.
A rolodeck of uninspiring characters, boring narration, and overt misogyny that only Murakami is capable of - something that his previous work compensated for by being bizarre and intriguing, but which this series brings to the forefront with its sheer emptiness.
lorrared's review
4.0
I think this was a really good introduction to Murakami. It’s a collection of eight short, unique stories. I liked some a lot more than others, with Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey being my favourite. I liked the quirkiness of the book and will read more from this author.