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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
drive my car: 4/5
yesterday: 3.5/5
an independent organ: 2.5/5
scheherazade: 3.5/5
kino: 4.5/5
samsa in love: 3/5
men without women: 2.5/5
yesterday: 3.5/5
an independent organ: 2.5/5
scheherazade: 3.5/5
kino: 4.5/5
samsa in love: 3/5
men without women: 2.5/5
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-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
I wish there was more like this. Reflective fiction focusing on men who have a need for romance but just can’t come to terms with their emotions.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Murakami’s collection of short stories centre on the dreary reality of men who have lacked success in the relationship sphere. “Success”, however, is rather subjective here. I’m sure many would agree that a cheating spouse or runaway partner would definitively signal an unsuccessful relationship, however it turns out that some men have no qualms with this, accepting the unfortunate turn in circumstances as inevitable and unpreventable. Naturally though, the opposite is also true, with some men quite genuinely losing the will to live after separation from their beloved.
Reading this as a female, I found the relationships thought-provoking and insightful. I wouldn’t say I valued the explicitness in language as it seemed a bit excessive at times, but I do understand that much of what cements a relationship is physicality and intimacy, thus it would be a disservice to portray a relationship without these integral aspects.
One thing I always give Murakami credit for is his gripping storytelling and depiction of the darker and unpleasant sides of life, and though this book is definitely not one of my favourites, he does well in providing the reader with a set of equally engaging and well-written stories.
3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reading this as a female, I found the relationships thought-provoking and insightful. I wouldn’t say I valued the explicitness in language as it seemed a bit excessive at times, but I do understand that much of what cements a relationship is physicality and intimacy, thus it would be a disservice to portray a relationship without these integral aspects.
One thing I always give Murakami credit for is his gripping storytelling and depiction of the darker and unpleasant sides of life, and though this book is definitely not one of my favourites, he does well in providing the reader with a set of equally engaging and well-written stories.
3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kirja perustui pitkälti miehisiin näkemyksiin ja miesten naissuhteisiin. Itselle tuntui ehkä vähän haastavalta lukea turhaa kuvailua ja seksuaalissävytteistä kommentointia naisten kehoista, sillä en kokenut niitä kirjan kannalta millään tavalla merkittäviksi.