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debanjana_haldar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
zaneworlf's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-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
5.0
elusorius's review against another edition
2.0
I finished reading this book while I was sick and honestly, I didn't really like it.
The plot was boring, not much was happening and therefore nothing compelled me to keep reading.
I didn't like any of the characters. The main character was very bland. He seemed pretentious and whiny, and I could not understand why all the women were so into him. Speaking of the women, some parts were quite sexist. A direct quote: "A beautiful, young girl like you has got to have a man to hold her and make her happy."
Additionally, all women were needy, pick-me girls. They all had trauma that was sexualized. The main character didn't have any women he was simply friends with. Every single relationship, romantic and platonic alike, was harmful in some way and there was a lot of infidelity that was considered normal.
And during the sex scenes, comparisons to young girls would be made. Even outside of the sex scenes, there were just so many descriptions of breasts.
Now, the book did have some good parts. The best part was its prose. Murakami's writing is truly beautiful, and he draws you into his world with ease. Some parts of the story also had deep messages that resounded with me, about death and grief.
In the end, I would give this 1.5 stars. But I will round it up to 2/5.
The plot was boring, not much was happening and therefore nothing compelled me to keep reading.
I didn't like any of the characters. The main character was very bland. He seemed pretentious and whiny, and I could not understand why all the women were so into him. Speaking of the women, some parts were quite sexist. A direct quote: "A beautiful, young girl like you has got to have a man to hold her and make her happy."
Additionally, all women were needy, pick-me girls. They all had trauma that was sexualized. The main character didn't have any women he was simply friends with. Every single relationship, romantic and platonic alike, was harmful in some way and there was a lot of infidelity that was considered normal.
And during the sex scenes, comparisons to young girls would be made. Even outside of the sex scenes, there were just so many descriptions of breasts.
Now, the book did have some good parts. The best part was its prose. Murakami's writing is truly beautiful, and he draws you into his world with ease. Some parts of the story also had deep messages that resounded with me, about death and grief.
In the end, I would give this 1.5 stars. But I will round it up to 2/5.
lennart_arvid's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
maxreads1720's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ohh, Murakami, you’ve done it again (for me, at least). This was a lot different from Kafka on the Shore, but it was really another great book. It left me feeling so heavy, the whole book being really sad, but it was great read. Obviously, that scene was really screwed up, and it’s hilarious that Toru sleeps with pretty much every woman he’s involved with. Also, why was one chapter ~90 pages long?? Anyway, to conclude, I love Murakami’s writing style, and I feel like I get sucked into this world he builds for us. I couldn’t put this book down! I enjoyed it a lot, and I definitely recommend this book.
folklorestan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
elena_s's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shiqingxuan34's review against another edition
2.0
I had a bunch of issues with the book (and Murakami is one of my favourite authors), but the MC and Reiko at the end was the final straw in ruining this book for me. Some parts were excellent, but some were awful so I don't know what to think.
janamcwhirter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
leming's review against another edition
2.0
Trigger warning: suicide, depression, loss, rape, pedophilia, sexism/misogyny
If anyone is wondering what a male gaze is, make them read Murakami Haruki.
I know some of the criticism comes from the general whining/self-pity of the narrator but I think it is very intentionally done. This is a story about a boy literally becoming an adult, 17 years old to 20. This whole ?Ђ?I?Ђ?m so deep I have depression?Ђ? or ?Ђ?the whole world revolves around me and MY life is the hardest?Ђ? vibe very much captures what teenagers at that age would actually feel.
And it is so beautifully done. This is a story about loss. (In fact, it was published under the name of ?Ђ?times of loss?Ђ? in Korea) Murakami ever so beautifully describes how it feels like to lose someone you love, how it feels like to watch someone slowly dying both mentally and physically, and also how you would grow up amongst all. The writing is so exquisite it would leave you feeling so empty yet full of heart at the same time.
The characters are so vibrant and the storyline is actually really interesting. This is not a book you need to force yourself to read. You will want to read and keep reading! My absolute favourite was the roommate at the very start. What a fascinating character! And the way that the narrator describes him and later weaves him in the other stories is exquisite.
Having said that, there is a reason why I cannot give this book more than 2 stars. Simply put, Haruki does not have a clue about writing female characters. He is so frequently featured in Reddit?Ђ?s bad women?Ђ?s anatomy. In this book he literally said ?Ђ?women menstrate as men masterbate?Ђ? seriouly??? The book is filled with overtly sexualized female characters and unnecessary sex scenes every 10 pages. There is a lesbian sex scene in a pornographic detail that includes rape and a 13-year-old girl. The male gaze is so strong its physically repulsive. Its one thing that the main character is teenage boy who objectifies women but its another thing that the writer only views that women are first and foremost sexual objects and second plot devices for male characters?Ђ? development.
All in all, I think I could respect if anyone says they like this book. But I dont think I want to be friends with someone whose favourite book is this.
If anyone is wondering what a male gaze is, make them read Murakami Haruki.
I know some of the criticism comes from the general whining/self-pity of the narrator but I think it is very intentionally done. This is a story about a boy literally becoming an adult, 17 years old to 20. This whole ?Ђ?I?Ђ?m so deep I have depression?Ђ? or ?Ђ?the whole world revolves around me and MY life is the hardest?Ђ? vibe very much captures what teenagers at that age would actually feel.
And it is so beautifully done. This is a story about loss. (In fact, it was published under the name of ?Ђ?times of loss?Ђ? in Korea) Murakami ever so beautifully describes how it feels like to lose someone you love, how it feels like to watch someone slowly dying both mentally and physically, and also how you would grow up amongst all. The writing is so exquisite it would leave you feeling so empty yet full of heart at the same time.
The characters are so vibrant and the storyline is actually really interesting. This is not a book you need to force yourself to read. You will want to read and keep reading! My absolute favourite was the roommate at the very start. What a fascinating character! And the way that the narrator describes him and later weaves him in the other stories is exquisite.
Having said that, there is a reason why I cannot give this book more than 2 stars. Simply put, Haruki does not have a clue about writing female characters. He is so frequently featured in Reddit?Ђ?s bad women?Ђ?s anatomy. In this book he literally said ?Ђ?women menstrate as men masterbate?Ђ? seriouly??? The book is filled with overtly sexualized female characters and unnecessary sex scenes every 10 pages. There is a lesbian sex scene in a pornographic detail that includes rape and a 13-year-old girl. The male gaze is so strong its physically repulsive. Its one thing that the main character is teenage boy who objectifies women but its another thing that the writer only views that women are first and foremost sexual objects and second plot devices for male characters?Ђ? development.
All in all, I think I could respect if anyone says they like this book. But I dont think I want to be friends with someone whose favourite book is this.