Reviews

South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami

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mkeil16's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I waited a few days to review this because I'm really unsure of what I think. Part of the problem is that this was pitched to me as a love story but I don't know if I'd call it that. There were two "love" stories happening at the same time: One, a married couple who loves each other in a stable way and another couple who burn bright and fast but aren't made to last. I guess the fact that the book ends with "oh well, stable is better even if there isn't passion!" is a bit of a bummer — but i blame that on expectations.

I completely understand though, what people mean when they say Murakami is simple but complex. The emotions here are so hard to state and yet they were there.

giglio_sfigato's review against another edition

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fast-paced

1.5

kashna83's review against another edition

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4.0

Review 2008:
Me gustó mucho muchísimo. Tiene toda la magia de tokio blues, esa melancolía, esa tristeza inherente en los personajes. La música sigue siendo un elemento muy importante en esta novela, y si queréis entrar más aún en el club de jazz de Hajime, podéis hacer como mi madre, que iba escuchando la música que sonaba en cada escena, mientras leía.

ite's review against another edition

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Not for me

trin's review against another edition

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4.0

A slighter Murakami novel, both in length and in scope. This one shares some elements with [b: Norwegian Wood|11297|Norwegian Wood|Haruki Murakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1630460042l/11297._SY75_.jpg|2956680] (and with quite a lot of Murakami’s work, actually); most specifically: the mysterious girl who got away. This didn’t move me, didn’t capture me and hold me captive quite like Norwegian Wood did, but the atmosphere and imagery are still incredible. The descriptions of Hajime’s jazz bars, in particular, got to me: I felt like I was outside in the rain, nose pressed to the glass, just a step or two from being able to go in.

junemoonbaby's review against another edition

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3.0

very mixed views about this book. it started off really good, i could relate to the inherent loneliness that comes with being a single child but that quickly took a very concerning turn. the main character was unlikable, superficial, and took moral ground on things when he lacked any of it himself. you cannot use being an only child as an excuse for ruining people's lives and then wistfully daydreaming about them. seriously, his wife and children deserve so much better. i will never not be left shell-shocked at how "acceptable" infidelity is portrayed here. i mean, murakami writes beautifully and i am enveloped in his sentences but this was still a terrible story to sit through.