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flexluthor's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
gormygirlkt's review against another edition
3.0
Bizarre read, but totally engaging and completely unpredictable, with a melancholy existential vibe. I've never read Murakami, so had no idea what to expect. What I can say is the deeper you get into this book, the weirder it gets until at some point a switch flips and it starts to feel like the bulk of the action is taking place on an entirely metaphorical plane. I gave up trying to perform literal translations on the metaphors. The harder you try to shore up dams of meaning as you go, the more frustrating the book becomes.
sophietries's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
softmellow's review against another edition
5.0
Easily top tier
An engrossing and thought-provoking novel that takes the reader on a captivating journey through the surreal landscapes of the human mind and magical realism. Murakami weaves together two parallel narratives that explore the themes of identity, memory, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. You know that good shi
Issa a chefs kiss
An engrossing and thought-provoking novel that takes the reader on a captivating journey through the surreal landscapes of the human mind and magical realism. Murakami weaves together two parallel narratives that explore the themes of identity, memory, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. You know that good shi
Issa a chefs kiss
arhuby's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
klgoodrich98's review against another edition
I was intrigued by the prospect of talking cats and magical realism but the animal mutilation was too much for me to continue.
r0b3rta's review against another edition
4.0
I received the Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami via a Goodreads Giveaway. Spoilers ahead.
I have been wanting to read Murakami. I am a fan of magic realism, so talking cats, magical stones and such was just part of what made this book a good read for me.
The prose was beautiful and some of the more profound sentences were interspersed between activities you wouldn't associate with profound sentences.
Most of the characters' stories were interesting. I felt a loss of the character when some of them died.
I felt it was a heavy read with light hearted moments.
I gave it 4 stars and if I could I would give it 4 1/2 stars, it's very good and I highly recommend it.
I have been wanting to read Murakami. I am a fan of magic realism, so talking cats, magical stones and such was just part of what made this book a good read for me.
The prose was beautiful and some of the more profound sentences were interspersed between activities you wouldn't associate with profound sentences.
Most of the characters' stories were interesting. I felt a loss of the character when some of them died.
I felt it was a heavy read with light hearted moments.
I gave it 4 stars and if I could I would give it 4 1/2 stars, it's very good and I highly recommend it.
luukeee's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
2.75
I'm so confused
anpne's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0