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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
medium-paced
This book was rather epic, fantastical, and perhaps a bit boring at times. It took a while for me to get into the weirdly magical world that Murakami created, but once I was in to the story I couldn't stop turning pages. Now that I'm done reading it I often find my mind drifting back to thoughts of the little people and a world with 2 moons, I guess that goes to show how far this book crawled into my brain.
It disgusted me. I was constantly struggling with being invested and interested in the characters and story but also creeped out by the way women were depicted. I felt like I could deal with it even if it was cringy at times, but that all changed when Fuka-Eri and Tengo sleep in the same bed, the way Tengo describes her body made me feel sick .
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Weak. Very weak.
I thought it was maybe just the translation--the diction is boring and hackneyed, relies far too heavily on cliches, and the flow is uninteresting. But from the commentary I've read, it seems like this is a problem even in the original Japanese.
As for the plot, also extremely boring. I can't believe this book was 1100 pages, honestly. I'm wondering if it's some Don Quixotic-like critique of the novel as a form, in its plodding repetition and fixation on one-dimensional characters. If so, it's extremely clumsy even in that. (Tengo is a novelist? Come on.)
The one thing I would say it has going for it is the tone--I don't want to read it again, but I felt like there were a lot of Easter eggs, almost (for example the page numbers--I feel like their varied orientation has something to do with that Esso tiger). I just don't care enough, honestly, to go back through and read it.
Anyway, I'll probably try to read another one of his books (I've heard the Wind-up Bird Chronicles are good) just to see if it's a problem with this book, or if I generally dislike his style.
I thought it was maybe just the translation--the diction is boring and hackneyed, relies far too heavily on cliches, and the flow is uninteresting. But from the commentary I've read, it seems like this is a problem even in the original Japanese.
As for the plot, also extremely boring. I can't believe this book was 1100 pages, honestly. I'm wondering if it's some Don Quixotic-like critique of the novel as a form, in its plodding repetition and fixation on one-dimensional characters. If so, it's extremely clumsy even in that. (Tengo is a novelist? Come on.)
The one thing I would say it has going for it is the tone--I don't want to read it again, but I felt like there were a lot of Easter eggs, almost (for example the page numbers--I feel like their varied orientation has something to do with that Esso tiger). I just don't care enough, honestly, to go back through and read it.
Anyway, I'll probably try to read another one of his books (I've heard the Wind-up Bird Chronicles are good) just to see if it's a problem with this book, or if I generally dislike his style.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This oniric journey through an alternate Japan has many different phases and it's difficult to describe altogether. Classic Murakami takes you through an unforgettable journey with two moons in the sky.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
There are some aspects of this book that really stood out to me.
Some parts triggered me a bit.
It's such a weird writing style, as to be expected by Murakami.
It was really long winded. I feel like I'd've much more enjoyed this as three books.
It's complex. Unnerving. Unexpected. Confusing.
There's so much happening all at once, at the same time there is nothing happening...
I really liked the first two books. The third was my least favourite. Probably because I don't like ushikawa.
I feel like if you accepted the book for what it was, it was better than if you looked into it too much.
I question what was the point?
All the while, there is so much symbolism in Murakami's writing, that there are so many things someone could take away from this book.
Some parts triggered me a bit.
It's such a weird writing style, as to be expected by Murakami.
It was really long winded. I feel like I'd've much more enjoyed this as three books.
It's complex. Unnerving. Unexpected. Confusing.
There's so much happening all at once, at the same time there is nothing happening...
I really liked the first two books. The third was my least favourite. Probably because I don't like ushikawa.
I feel like if you accepted the book for what it was, it was better than if you looked into it too much.
I question what was the point?
All the while, there is so much symbolism in Murakami's writing, that there are so many things someone could take away from this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment