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whoischels's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Good bits: This book is beautifully written. I always hear people complaining that Murakami writes women terribly and I actually disagree with that in this case. The women in this book feel like people, and are like-able people, even filtered through the eyes of the narrator Watanabe and through the romanticized distance of the memories he is recounting. The story really beautifully demonstrates how a young person can focus on fixing the suffering of others in order to avoid thinking about their own grief. It shows how a typically male-leaning stoic handling emotions can fail. It has incredibly vivid imagery and the aesthetic of Murakami's stories is always really engrossing.
Bad bits: Unfortunately, all of this is overshadowed by the
Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Pedophilia
paulinalto's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
Murakami invented the Manic Pixie Dream Girl, and all his female characters fit this mold—each one "so not like the other girls." There were numerous instances where his attempts to describe female experiences were completely off-base, clichéd, and cringeworthy.
I understand that some readers are willing to overlook the misogyny and sexism, perhaps because of the book’s beautiful prose or because it was published decades ago, but I cannot. I don't think I've ever disliked a book this intensely. I feel like I need a shower to wash it off. In the process of reading this, I sold the other two Murakami books I had on my shelf.
Graphic: Rape, Pedophilia, Sexism, and Misogyny
jessiemcg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Death of parent, Medical content, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, and Self harm
zachport06's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Mental illness, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Rape, and Self harm
Minor: Pedophilia
sam_smith101's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Mental illness, Pedophilia, and Sexual content
yeahnaar's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Pedophilia, and Suicide
abril6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Rape, and Death
sugarmountain's review against another edition
私が求めているのは単なるわがままなの。完璧なわがまま。たとえば今私があなたに向って苺のショート・ケーキが食べたいって言うわね、するとあなたは何もかも放りだして走ってそれを買いに行くのよ。そしてはあはあ言いながら帰ってきて「はいミドリ、苺のショート・ケーキだよ」ってさしだすでしょ、すると私は「ふん、こんなのもう食べたくなくなっちゃったわよ」って言ってそれを窓からぽいと放り投げるの。私が求めているのはそういうものなの。
Graphic: Pedophilia
meg_reads83's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Death, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Rape, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, and Misogyny
afreyno1's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Pedophilia