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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is genuinely a good read. It draws you in with moments that feel incredibly real—especially when the characters are interacting. Those scenes are where the story truly shines. There’s a kind of emotional energy there that makes you feel connected to the characters, like you're right there with them.
That said, the pacing can be a bit uneven. When the story moves into deeper explanations or abstract concepts, the momentum slows. It doesn’t ruin the experience—in fact, it adds depth—but those parts don’t always feel as engaging. Still, they eventually pay off and give more meaning to what’s happening overall.
When I think about whether a book is good or not, I ask myself: would I read it again? In this case, I’d say maybe. It's not something I’d rush to revisit, but there’s something about it that might call me back later.
What stood out to me the most was the first chapter—it really pulled me in—and there was also a section in the middle that hit something personal. The book is described as a love story, but that part felt a little unclear. The emotions are there, definitely, but the actual relationship between the characters wasn’t explored deeply enough to really feel like a love story in the traditional sense.
Still, what made this book special for me is how relatable it felt. At times, it was like I was reading something from my own life. That sense of familiarity and emotional honesty is what stayed with me after I turned the last page.
In the end, it’s a thoughtful, heartfelt story. Not perfect, but quietly powerful—and worth reading if you like stories that reflect real human emotions, even in their messiness.
That said, the pacing can be a bit uneven. When the story moves into deeper explanations or abstract concepts, the momentum slows. It doesn’t ruin the experience—in fact, it adds depth—but those parts don’t always feel as engaging. Still, they eventually pay off and give more meaning to what’s happening overall.
When I think about whether a book is good or not, I ask myself: would I read it again? In this case, I’d say maybe. It's not something I’d rush to revisit, but there’s something about it that might call me back later.
What stood out to me the most was the first chapter—it really pulled me in—and there was also a section in the middle that hit something personal. The book is described as a love story, but that part felt a little unclear. The emotions are there, definitely, but the actual relationship between the characters wasn’t explored deeply enough to really feel like a love story in the traditional sense.
Still, what made this book special for me is how relatable it felt. At times, it was like I was reading something from my own life. That sense of familiarity and emotional honesty is what stayed with me after I turned the last page.
In the end, it’s a thoughtful, heartfelt story. Not perfect, but quietly powerful—and worth reading if you like stories that reflect real human emotions, even in their messiness.
reflective
slow-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
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
I was not the biggest fan of the book as a casual reader looking to consume media BUT I appreciate and do think it is important. Murakami’s introduction the book sets out the summary of the book concisely. Essentially Sanshiro is a lens to a young undergrad in early 1900s, and it is fun to draw parallels to my own experiences growing up at the cusp of adulthood, in college away from home. His passivity, openness, voyeuristic view of the events, the lack of courage when it comes to committing to decisions associated to adulthood, his conversations with the various mentors about how he should perceive and understand life - it is more than a hundred years, and yet!
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
much of it felt like rummaging through useless thoughts of a person i don’t care for, maybe because the main character is lacking in his worldly experiences
actually didn’t really start caring about the plot until i was about 60% of the way done, by which is a bit too late but at least it made the ending more interesting
i can see why murakami likes this book (negative) but i do appreciate a little bit of pining and unrequited love
don’t think i’ll continue this trilogy, i rather reread Kokoro a third time
actually didn’t really start caring about the plot until i was about 60% of the way done, by which is a bit too late but at least it made the ending more interesting
i can see why murakami likes this book (negative) but i do appreciate a little bit of pining and unrequited love
don’t think i’ll continue this trilogy, i rather reread Kokoro a third time
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A very beautiful and enjoyable coming of age book, very interesting in it's themes of a new world and engaging in the feelings of love but not acting on it due to social conventions.
I found this one easier going than Kokoro and a little bit more enjoyable with a broader supporting cast of characters.
Hope to read Botchan or I am a Cat next.
I found this one easier going than Kokoro and a little bit more enjoyable with a broader supporting cast of characters.
Hope to read Botchan or I am a Cat next.