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neoeuph's review
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Murder, Gore, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Sexism, Sexual violence, Rape, Mental illness, Incest, Death, and Blood
Minor: Transphobia and Deadnaming
cocoanatomical's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really love Murakami’s writing, finding the magical in the unexpected, extraordinary situations evolving out of everyday encounters… The magical realism of it all.
I also loved the fact that there aren’t any clear answers in the end. Things remain open and you tend to ask yourself whether these questions were that important in the first place. It left me with the feeling of life as an ongoing journey full of change and self discovery.
I also really enjoyed having a disabled and a trans character in the book. The representation remains flawed but I generally really liked how they were portrayed and that for the most part Oshima’s right pronouns were used and respected continuously. Both of them were really likable characters. Nakata’s ability to speak to cats is a personal highlight of mine
What annoyed me the most is the constant objectification and sexualization of the female characters. As well as the overall lack of agency these characters hold within the story. They’re pretty flat in my opinion and only exist in relation to the male characters. Some parts were pretty difficult to read through. I know Murakami can do better and this was just not it for me.
I also loved the fact that there aren’t any clear answers in the end. Things remain open and you tend to ask yourself whether these questions were that important in the first place. It left me with the feeling of life as an ongoing journey full of change and self discovery.
I also really enjoyed having a disabled and a trans character in the book. The representation remains flawed but I generally really liked how they were portrayed and that for the most part Oshima’s right pronouns were used and respected continuously. Both of them were really likable characters.
What annoyed me the most is the constant objectification and sexualization of the female characters. As well as the overall lack of agency these characters hold within the story. They’re pretty flat in my opinion and only exist in relation to the male characters. Some parts were pretty difficult to read through. I know Murakami can do better and this was just not it for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Incest, Misogyny, Murder, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Deadnaming and Death of parent
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