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paddyo1993's review
2.0
The Dreaded Double D’s : Distant and Depressing
Not a lot to relate to in this novel and the book’s structure and focus on memory made it less enjoyable than I had hoped given the notoriety!
Not a lot of sense of hope to keep me engaged through the story either so this is getting two stars from me.
Not a lot to relate to in this novel and the book’s structure and focus on memory made it less enjoyable than I had hoped given the notoriety!
Not a lot of sense of hope to keep me engaged through the story either so this is getting two stars from me.
seraphiina's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. It did have its profound moments examining grief, mental health and growing up without a clear direction in life. For that, I really appreciated the novel. However, it felt hollow. The protagonist was so bland, bordering on unlikable, that it felt like a chore to get through. I did not enjoy most of the other characters either and found them mostly unrealistic, like someone describing a woman despite having never met one. And I won't even get into just how weird the sex scenes were. Yikes.
Luckily, I have read other Murakami books that I found more endearing than this one, so I won't give up on him - but I probably won't re-read this any time soon.
Luckily, I have read other Murakami books that I found more endearing than this one, so I won't give up on him - but I probably won't re-read this any time soon.
sadtourist's review
4.0
Not my favorite Murakami book, but a good, fast read. Not sure why it's one of his most popular?
birdybutt24's review
1.0
This book made me deeply uncomfortable. It felt inconsequential and meaningless. It's themes, loosely based around sexuality and coming of age, felt forced and the characters felt unrealistic. Just another male fantasy with a "nice guy" protagonist and unrealistic depictions of women. Several scenes were very questionable, such as the scenes of statutory rape (that the author painted as being the minor's fault). The characterization of the women is almost criminal, they have no agency as characters and all play a role of being some sort of convoluted metaphor for growing up. These women are flat characters who don't develop in any way. And if I have to read someone describe breasts as "supple" in a sexual way one more time I swear... Overall the characters were flat, boring, and unrealistic and the story was placid. It was difficult to get through without laughing out loud or rolling my eyes honestly. 0/10 Do not recommend and if I could I would give it negative 10 billion stars.
ruthiegk's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
daffnijuyad's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
petraengelien's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
afreyno1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Norwegian Wood is the longest book that I’ve read so far this year, and I really enjoyed it. Last week I read over half of the book, and at one point I read 50 pages a day, which is pretty crazy for me, because I usually take a week to read 50 pages.
I really really enjoyed Murakami’s writing style in NW, it's very easy flowing/easy to read. I have no idea why I was so drawn to this book but it is really good, there were a few points in the book where I wondered “Why am I even reading this?”, but I kept on going, and I am really glad I did.
I really really enjoyed Murakami’s writing style in NW, it's very easy flowing/easy to read. I have no idea why I was so drawn to this book but it is really good, there were a few points in the book where I wondered “Why am I even reading this?”, but I kept on going, and I am really glad I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Pedophilia
melissabraine's review against another edition
4.0
4.5* Would be 5 but was a teeny bit too predictable… but the writing was so so gorgeous and the characters so beautifully human.
Actually, upon consideration, I go back to just 4 stars because I don’t like how he describes women to be so sexualised. Also glorifies men sleeping around but almost shames women for it within their descriptions… not a vibe
Besides that, the writing is still beautiful
Actually, upon consideration, I go back to just 4 stars because I don’t like how he describes women to be so sexualised. Also glorifies men sleeping around but almost shames women for it within their descriptions… not a vibe
Besides that, the writing is still beautiful
annevtilburg's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0