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wild139's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jashegerova's review against another edition
3.0
I was really really unimpressed with this for the most of it. Murakami has a great way with words but god, what a bland and boring plot/set of characters. The bit with Midori i really liked, and Nagawame broke my heart at times.
Overall: meh-town.
Overall: meh-town.
stoneofexile's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Rape and Death of parent
cmcnally's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
matheamae's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting to say the least, my first Murakami book, I think I would enjoy some of his others more from what I've heard. I do like his style of writing, I just didn't feel particularly connected with this one.
seanhelvey's review against another edition
2.0
May have been my last Murakami book for a while. I love his writing except for the sex scenes and references which get kind of old for me. Still a fun read.
dyno8426's review against another edition
4.0
Probably the first book by Murakami to gain popularity at a tremendous and that too (as the author says) an unexpected scale, this is a beautiful story about the love of two friends turned lovers. But through a relationship that goes up and down the valleys of complications of human behaviour, the author portrays how continuous essentially life and death are, rather than being poles apart. How life affects death and death affects life.
More importantly, through characters that couldn't be more human, the author shows us the perspective of the people who suffer isolation and loneliness among us. And how this separation from human lives can be simply so beautiful and so devastating for different people.
Some people might find it depressing in its tone but don't let this tone take away the pleasure of the ideas that the author has to offer. And because of that, I found the book really engrossing.
Plus, the lives and pop culture of the Japanese teenagers of 1960s. And how sexuality becomes such a prominent part of the lives of the teenagers there.
It was hard for me to not give it a five stars and there are no 'buts' here. I think those who have read Murakami's books (this was my first) would agree how he makes you crave for more for his simple and profound writings.
More importantly, through characters that couldn't be more human, the author shows us the perspective of the people who suffer isolation and loneliness among us. And how this separation from human lives can be simply so beautiful and so devastating for different people.
Some people might find it depressing in its tone but don't let this tone take away the pleasure of the ideas that the author has to offer. And because of that, I found the book really engrossing.
Plus, the lives and pop culture of the Japanese teenagers of 1960s. And how sexuality becomes such a prominent part of the lives of the teenagers there.
It was hard for me to not give it a five stars and there are no 'buts' here. I think those who have read Murakami's books (this was my first) would agree how he makes you crave for more for his simple and profound writings.
katko123's review against another edition
2.0
What a weird book. I liked the beginning and the end. I was mostly bored in the between. Not a single person in there is happy. I get what the author is saying but come on, all the way throughout the book I just wanted to scream at every single character there: who cares? just move on!
Im actually dissapointed, because this book has been sitting on my shelf for about 12 years, and nearly all my reading friends speak so highly about it. Oh well, looks like I am a weirdo. Just like Murakamis character´s.
Im actually dissapointed, because this book has been sitting on my shelf for about 12 years, and nearly all my reading friends speak so highly about it. Oh well, looks like I am a weirdo. Just like Murakamis character´s.
heavyisthehead's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
buchfink_2024's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the story more than I expected. For me, it has an unique plot. Emotional, but also funny at times.