Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dance Dance Dance is the fourth installment of Haruki Murakami’s Rat Series. Even Though it is part of a series, this book works as a stand alone. However, readers will enjoy this book more having read at least A Wild Sheep Chase first. The Rat series was created early in Murakami’s career. I am struck by the depth and quality of the writing even in his early works. Dance Dance Dance has a dreamy, romantic quality that I really liked. My favorite part of the book was the way that the characters related to each other, the dialogue, and the progression of their relationships. The portrayals of a dysfunctional extended family and adult friendships that began in school days are especially rich in honest detail. My least favorite part was the lengthy descriptions of darkness. However, this is a theme that is an important part of Murakami’s work. For me, the way that darkness (in this case the literal absence of light) is dealt with is better in his later work. I took my time with this book and even listened to a few passages again for enjoyment not clarification. The scenes that remained with me the most were the ones in which the characters were dealing with each other honestly and with themselves about their motivations and biases. Murakmi’s ability to describe how someone else is thinking and feeling even in the most extreme circumstances is one of the things that sets his writing apart.
The narration performance by Josh Bloomberg is masterful. Mr. Bloomberg’s ability to make subtle changes in his tone and inflection brings each character to life with distinction. It is easy to know which character is speaking at any given moment which greatly supports and enhances the work.
I would recommend Dance Dance Dance to all Murakami fans as a must-read. I would also recommend Dance Dance Dance to anyone who is curious about the writing of this author. Dance Dance Dance contains lighter versions of many themes that appear more depth later in his work.
The narration performance by Josh Bloomberg is masterful. Mr. Bloomberg’s ability to make subtle changes in his tone and inflection brings each character to life with distinction. It is easy to know which character is speaking at any given moment which greatly supports and enhances the work.
I would recommend Dance Dance Dance to all Murakami fans as a must-read. I would also recommend Dance Dance Dance to anyone who is curious about the writing of this author. Dance Dance Dance contains lighter versions of many themes that appear more depth later in his work.
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Seeing the "possibilities decreasing, regrets mounting" in context was a pleasant surprise
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Amazing sequel to the wild sheep chase. In this book, some characters are given names. But still the main character remained unnamed. I’m glad there was a happy ending for the main character. I hope that Yuki lives on and is happy, starting the rest of her life at 13 years old. I hope the sheep man is okay, but don’t think he is.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Police brutality, Grief, Car accident, Murder
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
I had weird nightmares after reading this sequel to "A Wild Sheep Chase." Part supernatural horror story, part murder mystery, it's mostly just a story about a guy who feels out of place in the consumerist culture of Japan's 1980s.