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justinkhchen's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
At this point I know what to expect when it comes to Haruki Murakami's stories collection: more of the same, just in different configuration. Even though he hasn't been particularly inventive with his craft for quite some times, there's a odd level of familiar comfort to continuing reading. Having said that, First Person Singular might be the most inconsistent collection yet, with obvious standouts among very disposable filler entries. This one is for established fans only — if you want to dip your toes into Murakami's work (without tackling a novel), Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman remains his strongest short stories collection.
- - -
Cream: 3 stars
A series of semi-provocative scenarios and ideas that is left woefully unresolved, and maybe even a little philosophically obnoxious (‘a circle that has many centers, but no circumference’), but overall it’s still a decent opener being back in the state of mind of Haruki Murakami.
On a Stone Pillow: 3 stars
A vignette recounting a casual sexual encounter with an unexpectedly lingering impression. Focusing on the concept of remembering, the story plays it safe with all the expected Murakami flourishes, but at least it’s self-contained with a definite closure.
Charlie Parker Plays Bossa Nova: 5 stars
Encapsulating everything Murakami in the best way possible: Jazz music, serendipitous moment, and surrealism — a captivating setup (a writer published a 'review' for a hypothetical Bossa Nova album) accompanies by an extended dream sequence that would fit right at home in a David Lynch film. Definitely the highlight from the collection.
With the Beatles: 4 stars
An odd placement in the book, as this is very similar to the story just prior (a music album being a connecting thread between the protagonist's past and present), but with the music aspect not as tightly incorporated. It does have one very gripping, suspenseful scene, where the narrative successfully guides me anticipating the worst outcome. A strong entry, but I like the one right before even more.
Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey: 4.5 stars
Fully embracing the 'bizarre' side of Haruki Murakami, this one is about a chance encounter with a talking monkey at a hot spring lodge. It's engaging and strange in the best way possible (even knowing he has already done 'conversation with a talking animal' trope prior in After the Quake).
Carnaval: 2.5 stars
Pointless. While the underlying commentary on female beauty (from a Japanese male's perspective) is semi-interesting (and intentionally misogynistic), the actual story drags, and remains very superficial. Also doesn't help when half of its length is dedicated to a lengthy debate on which recording of Robert Schumann's Carnaval is better.
The Yakult Swallows Poetry Collection: 2.5 stars
Breaking the fourth wall and written in a stream of consciousness style, Haruki Murakami reminisces and goes on tangent on everything baseball (the teams he follows, the stadiums, and poetry he has written during games). There are some moments of deadpan humor (such as a whole section on various center fielders' butt), but overall very scattered and mumbling.
First Person Singular: 3 stars
While I appreciate the overall sentiment (discussion on appearance vs. identity), and the overall sequence of events — it feels very abrupt and choppy, like an early draft without all the refinement; particularly disappointing being the headlining story, and I love the title!
At this point I know what to expect when it comes to Haruki Murakami's stories collection: more of the same, just in different configuration. Even though he hasn't been particularly inventive with his craft for quite some times, there's a odd level of familiar comfort to continuing reading. Having said that, First Person Singular might be the most inconsistent collection yet, with obvious standouts among very disposable filler entries. This one is for established fans only — if you want to dip your toes into Murakami's work (without tackling a novel), Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman remains his strongest short stories collection.
- - -
Cream: 3 stars
A series of semi-provocative scenarios and ideas that is left woefully unresolved, and maybe even a little philosophically obnoxious (‘a circle that has many centers, but no circumference’), but overall it’s still a decent opener being back in the state of mind of Haruki Murakami.
On a Stone Pillow: 3 stars
A vignette recounting a casual sexual encounter with an unexpectedly lingering impression. Focusing on the concept of remembering, the story plays it safe with all the expected Murakami flourishes, but at least it’s self-contained with a definite closure.
Charlie Parker Plays Bossa Nova: 5 stars
Encapsulating everything Murakami in the best way possible: Jazz music, serendipitous moment, and surrealism — a captivating setup (a writer published a 'review' for a hypothetical Bossa Nova album) accompanies by an extended dream sequence that would fit right at home in a David Lynch film. Definitely the highlight from the collection.
With the Beatles: 4 stars
An odd placement in the book, as this is very similar to the story just prior (a music album being a connecting thread between the protagonist's past and present), but with the music aspect not as tightly incorporated. It does have one very gripping, suspenseful scene, where the narrative successfully guides me anticipating the worst outcome. A strong entry, but I like the one right before even more.
Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey: 4.5 stars
Fully embracing the 'bizarre' side of Haruki Murakami, this one is about a chance encounter with a talking monkey at a hot spring lodge. It's engaging and strange in the best way possible (even knowing he has already done 'conversation with a talking animal' trope prior in After the Quake).
Carnaval: 2.5 stars
Pointless. While the underlying commentary on female beauty (from a Japanese male's perspective) is semi-interesting (and intentionally misogynistic), the actual story drags, and remains very superficial. Also doesn't help when half of its length is dedicated to a lengthy debate on which recording of Robert Schumann's Carnaval is better.
The Yakult Swallows Poetry Collection: 2.5 stars
Breaking the fourth wall and written in a stream of consciousness style, Haruki Murakami reminisces and goes on tangent on everything baseball (the teams he follows, the stadiums, and poetry he has written during games). There are some moments of deadpan humor (such as a whole section on various center fielders' butt), but overall very scattered and mumbling.
First Person Singular: 3 stars
While I appreciate the overall sentiment (discussion on appearance vs. identity), and the overall sequence of events — it feels very abrupt and choppy, like an early draft without all the refinement; particularly disappointing being the headlining story, and I love the title!
thechanelmuse's review against another edition
3.0
First Person Singular is a collection of short stories (and essays?) that explores memory and sometimes dreams. Some of these feel semi-autobiographical while others have the magical realism touch. My favorites are Cream, Charlie Parker plays Bossa Nova, and With the Beatles.
ikilerandi's review against another edition
3.0
Estuvo entretenido pero no llegó a disfrutar los libros de este hombre
hyeanason's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
seba_reads's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
oliviainthepink's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.0
esmeisobel's review against another edition
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
4.0
Didn’t like last one v much