You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This will make you rethink your life
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
This one's strictly for the Murakami aficionados. It's interesting in the larger context of his work; rough outlines of his usual themes show up here for the first time, but he's honed his craft over the years and there are many, many better books of his out there for those questing after the traditional Murakami experience.
A mix of nostalgia and longing for something/someone in the past and future all at once. It's not a particularly thrilling story, but I think that's what I enjoyed most about it. I feel like Pinball 1973, much like Hear the Wind Sings, is just a short reflecion on how we internalize the memories we make with those who come and go in our lives. Whether they are there for a second or for an extended period of time.
Of course, this also can be said about the relationships we have with the things, for example hobbies, games, and songs that catch our full attention and vanish from our lives for one reason or another. Sometimes we long to have them back even if just to view them without actually touching them.
I also quite enjoyed the nostalgic feeling of the sights, the scents, the sounds. The little things that can trigger all the memories, or even just a foggy memory of something or some time we've forgotten.
Of course, this also can be said about the relationships we have with the things, for example hobbies, games, and songs that catch our full attention and vanish from our lives for one reason or another. Sometimes we long to have them back even if just to view them without actually touching them.
I also quite enjoyed the nostalgic feeling of the sights, the scents, the sounds. The little things that can trigger all the memories, or even just a foggy memory of something or some time we've forgotten.
reflective
medium-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
Murakami holds a really weird place in my reading life. His books really touch on feelings that we experience only for fleeting moments in our life. This makes the reading experience more beautiful. BUT also, I cannot completely relate to his characters because ofcourse I am not a 20 something Japanese man sleeping with twins.
Considering how much I loved Wind and Sheep Chase, I was pretty flat on this. There's some great Murakami one-liners, but it's a bit to po-mo and jittery for my tastes.
Both “Hear the wind sing” and “Pinball, 1973” were books that I wanted to read because of the vibes and Murakami’s writing and not for the plot. ( or the lack thereof )
I did enjoy wind more than Pinball, hence the 3 stars.
Still liked it enough to finish the book within one day
I did enjoy wind more than Pinball, hence the 3 stars.
Still liked it enough to finish the book within one day
dnf at 61 %
pointless , only good wise writing
pointless , only good wise writing
Taking place at some point after [b:Hear the Wind Sing|226973|Hear the Wind Sing (The Rat, #1)|Haruki Murakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1209948233l/226973._SX50_.jpg|2902423], [b:Pinball, 1973|591978|Pinball, 1973 (The Rat, #2)|Haruki Murakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1279373805l/591978._SX50_.jpg|290859] delivers... more waffling, but I will praise Murakami’s tone and style, as well as his use of analogy. That said, the entire subplot with the twins was insipid, boring, and unnecessary, not to say very poorly disguised wish-fulfillment. Still an engaging book though!