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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Intriguingly absurd. Murakami is really good at building magical realism, infusing it into the narrative to the point it feels more real than magical.
I loved how the story is constructed: at first it seems like an ordinary coming of age tale, but then the absurdism flows in and almost feels like Camus' The Stranger. An adaptation of Oedipus Rex, a play by Sophocles, forms the foundation of the novel's plot. The main character, with the intention of avoiding the harrowing prophecy by his father, flees his home when he turns 15. By the end of the novel, he indirectly fulfils his prophecy, from which he learns a lot about his own life and love.
A big part of the novel is made up of the adventures of an old eccentric man and a younger truck driver as his sidekick. Their bond is powerful and enchanting. Their friendship is parallel to that of Kafka and Oshima. I feel that the characters couldn't have been better. I like Mr Nakata the most.
The themes of time and music were applied so well throughout. Especially through Mr Hoshino's discovery of classical music. Nature is portrayed as an all-powerful force that bonds everything together, with examples of storms and whirlpools symbolizing fate and destiny. I also liked the use of literacy as a motif, as seen through an illiterate man's eyes. I always like to see books that highlight the importance of literature or reading in general.
This is the longest book I've ever read start to finish, actually, so it took a lot "of commitment and pausing. It was also my first Murakami novel, and I can say I want to read more.
Favorite Quotes:
"Sometimes fate is like a small sandstorm that keeps changing directions . You change direction but the sandstorm chases you ...this storm is you. Something inside of you (05)."
"Man doesn't choose fate. Fate chooses man...people are drawn deeper into tragedy not by their defects but by their virtues (199)."
I loved how the story is constructed: at first it seems like an ordinary coming of age tale, but then the absurdism flows in and almost feels like Camus' The Stranger. An adaptation of Oedipus Rex, a play by Sophocles, forms the foundation of the novel's plot. The main character, with the intention of avoiding the harrowing prophecy by his father, flees his home when he turns 15. By the end of the novel, he indirectly fulfils his prophecy, from which he learns a lot about his own life and love.
A big part of the novel is made up of the adventures of an old eccentric man and a younger truck driver as his sidekick. Their bond is powerful and enchanting. Their friendship is parallel to that of Kafka and Oshima. I feel that the characters couldn't have been better. I like Mr Nakata the most.
The themes of time and music were applied so well throughout. Especially through Mr Hoshino's discovery of classical music. Nature is portrayed as an all-powerful force that bonds everything together, with examples of storms and whirlpools symbolizing fate and destiny. I also liked the use of literacy as a motif, as seen through an illiterate man's eyes. I always like to see books that highlight the importance of literature or reading in general.
This is the longest book I've ever read start to finish, actually, so it took a lot "of commitment and pausing. It was also my first Murakami novel, and I can say I want to read more.
Favorite Quotes:
"Sometimes fate is like a small sandstorm that keeps changing directions . You change direction but the sandstorm chases you ...this storm is you. Something inside of you (05)."
"Man doesn't choose fate. Fate chooses man...people are drawn deeper into tragedy not by their defects but by their virtues (199)."
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
slow-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:
Yes
Okay well I'm deeply disappointed
Kept waiting for everything (or anything!) to coalesce into some larger point, but ultimately this book truly is "dream-like" in the sense that confusing stuff just happens without being connected to anything that came before it, and then you wake up.
This book oscillates between surrealist dream-like sequences that are very vague and metaphorical (which you'll recognize because he'll stop to let you know "this is a metaphor"! wow) and hyper-realistic descriptions of everyday mundane life, like describing a teenage boy's exact gym routine multiple times. The story often grinds to a halt for characters to have long monologues that shoehorn in theories on philosophy, art, and music that are at best tangentially related to anything that's actually going on.
Not even mentioning the completely disgusting treatment of women in this novel -- I know the gag about Murakami is "he's an excellent author but his books are very sexist" but oh my god I was not prepared for how bad this was gonna be. This book has a whole Oedipal subplot that Kafka is destined to sleep with both his mother and sister, but unlike Oedipus who rejects this prophecy and is so disgusted by his actions that he blinds himself, EVERYONE involved is suuper happy to have incestuous sex with this 15-year-old boy (but he's super muscular so he looks older so it's fine). The constant objectification of women who have no inner life outside of their desire for men is exhausting to read, not to mention the dream rape sequence that may or may not have ever actually happened and seems to contribute nothing?? And the random unnamed sex worker who quotes philosophy and then just disappears?? And a woman who gets so aroused that she spontaneously starts her period which then causes her to beat a child??
And the completely random scene where two FEMINISTS GONE TOO FAR come into the library and Oshima goes full Ben Shapiro on them using FACTS and LOGIC like someone please tell me what this contributed to the story besides Murakami not seeing women as people
Like listen I can get behind a "no plot just vibes" book and a book where things are ultimately left up to the reader to interpret, but I honestly couldn't even tell you a single theme this book explored after almost 500 pages. I guess not living in the past?? Kind of?? Maybe letting go of grief?? Like I can barely even feel confident saying it touches on these very broad themes. So what was the point of reading this? Excellent question
There are some great sections of writing in this book that would be very interesting and beautiful out of context... the problem is all of the context
Kept waiting for everything (or anything!) to coalesce into some larger point, but ultimately this book truly is "dream-like" in the sense that confusing stuff just happens without being connected to anything that came before it, and then you wake up.
This book oscillates between surrealist dream-like sequences that are very vague and metaphorical (which you'll recognize because he'll stop to let you know "this is a metaphor"! wow) and hyper-realistic descriptions of everyday mundane life, like describing a teenage boy's exact gym routine multiple times. The story often grinds to a halt for characters to have long monologues that shoehorn in theories on philosophy, art, and music that are at best tangentially related to anything that's actually going on.
Not even mentioning the completely disgusting treatment of women in this novel -- I know the gag about Murakami is "he's an excellent author but his books are very sexist" but oh my god I was not prepared for how bad this was gonna be. This book has a whole Oedipal subplot that Kafka is destined to sleep with both his mother and sister, but unlike Oedipus who rejects this prophecy and is so disgusted by his actions that he blinds himself, EVERYONE involved is suuper happy to have incestuous sex with this 15-year-old boy (but he's super muscular so he looks older so it's fine). The constant objectification of women who have no inner life outside of their desire for men is exhausting to read, not to mention the dream rape sequence that may or may not have ever actually happened and seems to contribute nothing?? And the random unnamed sex worker who quotes philosophy and then just disappears?? And a woman who gets so aroused that she spontaneously starts her period which then causes her to beat a child??
And the completely random scene where two FEMINISTS GONE TOO FAR come into the library and Oshima goes full Ben Shapiro on them using FACTS and LOGIC like someone please tell me what this contributed to the story besides Murakami not seeing women as people
Like listen I can get behind a "no plot just vibes" book and a book where things are ultimately left up to the reader to interpret, but I honestly couldn't even tell you a single theme this book explored after almost 500 pages. I guess not living in the past?? Kind of?? Maybe letting go of grief?? Like I can barely even feel confident saying it touches on these very broad themes. So what was the point of reading this? Excellent question
There are some great sections of writing in this book that would be very interesting and beautiful out of context... the problem is all of the context
this book is just so incredibly well written. I felt like I was admiring the detail the entire time while reading this. everything felt so hand picked and it all slotted together so well. I loved all the different story lines. Murakami really knows how to build atmosphere and I was simply in awe at this book, im not sure how else to put it 🤷♀️ everything was just so meticulous and 😚👌
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
same thing happened to me
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Brilliant story. If only it had skipped over the weird sexual journeys, pedophilic lines, and sexism.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The book feels like running from room to room, only to find yourself in the same place - a circular, infinite loop of escape that leads back to the self.
It captures the psychological repetition, the illusion of escape, and the cyclical nature of fate, memory, and identity. You’re not just running away but you’re looping deeper inward.
It reminds me of hard boiled wonderland and the end of the world which still my fav Murakami's so far.
It captures the psychological repetition, the illusion of escape, and the cyclical nature of fate, memory, and identity. You’re not just running away but you’re looping deeper inward.
It reminds me of hard boiled wonderland and the end of the world which still my fav Murakami's so far.
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
