Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

40 reviews

omligda's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

3.5

This was an interesting read. I did feel a connection to every character, but that’s not to say I liked them all. Toru’s blind acceptance of his actions affecting the emotions of others like Midori was frustrating. Everything in this book came with a pessimistic outlook that was cloaked in a layer of ambivalence. I was able to feel a lot of Naoko’s frustrated despair throughout the novel as she was unable to find peace within herself. The battles these characters fight with themselves are what keep this book so relevant even 60 years past when it’s set. In all, I enjoyed this book for its good and its bad and i would read it again for a second insight. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Suicide

allieriv's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness

laurabenitez's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide, Sexual content, and Infidelity

Moderate: Sexual violence

Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis

libbyuma's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pedophilia, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent

lucual20's review against another edition

reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Suicide, Mental illness, and Death

vv2iiyyl's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense slow-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

4.5

for the most part, i really enjoyed this book. it is so full of life and complexity. the dynamic between toru, midori, and naoko was fascinating. although, i thought toru was kind of the epitome of a ‘nice guy’. my only Real problem lies with the grotesque depiction of reiko’s sexual encounter with her student and, in general, the graphic sexual descriptions of various female characters (i.e., comparing reiko’s breasts to those of a “little girl”). however, i would definitely reread this book and recommend it to others.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

carolinefran's review against another edition

challenging dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual content

laurawileman's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book just didn't do it for me. I understand it was from a male's perspective in 1987 but the constant narrative of the women in the book grew tiring. From idolisation to the instability of almost all female characters it really made me question the narrators motive, I wasn't quite sure what he was trying to gain from these stories particularly the story from Reiko's past. A lot of the sex scenes felt rather uncomfortable and as much as this novel is about loneliness I couldn't help grow to blame the main character for his own loneliness.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Self harm

Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

valeriac's review against another edition

challenging sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Sexism, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Self harm, Misogyny, and Mental illness

Slow, mysoginistic, soulless characters, aimless, boring

mrsdalloway's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Dementia, Grief, Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship