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honkd's review against another edition
4.0
Lads and Ladettes.
This is not your typical Murakami book, which I still can't determine if that's a good or bad thing.
Im still mulling over my review, watch this space
This is not your typical Murakami book, which I still can't determine if that's a good or bad thing.
Im still mulling over my review, watch this space
mathildebts's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.0
Incompréhensible hype autour de Murakami, j’ai trouvé ce livre creux, les personnages féminins sont des coquilles vides, le personnage principal insupportable…
Pas désagréable à lire (à part les descriptions insupportables des scènes de sexe qui ont l’air d’avoir été écrites par un adolescent en chaleur) mais complètement oubliable.
Pas désagréable à lire (à part les descriptions insupportables des scènes de sexe qui ont l’air d’avoir été écrites par un adolescent en chaleur) mais complètement oubliable.
synkopen's review against another edition
5.0
Here we go again, Murakami, here we go again.
A checklist: Jazz? Check. Sexual tension? Check. Anxiety and angst? Check. Urban solitude? Check. Hilarious and cringe-worthy sex scenes? Check, check, check.
The usual ingredients are present, what else is there to say?
South of the Border, West of the Sun has been somewhat of a scandal in Germany, as it incited, partially, the break-up of "Das literarische Quartett", one of Germany's most celebrated TV shows on literature. The offending subject back then was, if I recall correctly, that one of the critics was somehow offended by the novel's treatment of love - to which Marcel Reich-Ranicki, may he rest in peace, angrily responded that love certainly is one pivot points of world literature. How right he was and still is.
This novel deals with love. Agsty love, full of anxiety and longing, unhealthy love. A love ripe with infidelity and betrayals. And that's what makes it so mesmerizing. The text is not original, but it is authentic: the characters are typical Murakami-characters, dealing with the same problems as in most of his narrative. What makes this novel stand out in his oeuvre is how it leaves us behind: Just as full with longing, and anxiety, and hopelessness - and hope! - as Hajime.
We're left behind wondering if all we witnessed was just an elaborate dream, a figment of our yearning mind. As we sit and wonder, let me reiterate some oh-so-relevant words by Morrissey:
5/5
A checklist: Jazz? Check. Sexual tension? Check. Anxiety and angst? Check. Urban solitude? Check. Hilarious and cringe-worthy sex scenes? Check, check, check.
The usual ingredients are present, what else is there to say?
South of the Border, West of the Sun has been somewhat of a scandal in Germany, as it incited, partially, the break-up of "Das literarische Quartett", one of Germany's most celebrated TV shows on literature. The offending subject back then was, if I recall correctly, that one of the critics was somehow offended by the novel's treatment of love - to which Marcel Reich-Ranicki, may he rest in peace, angrily responded that love certainly is one pivot points of world literature. How right he was and still is.
This novel deals with love. Agsty love, full of anxiety and longing, unhealthy love. A love ripe with infidelity and betrayals. And that's what makes it so mesmerizing. The text is not original, but it is authentic: the characters are typical Murakami-characters, dealing with the same problems as in most of his narrative. What makes this novel stand out in his oeuvre is how it leaves us behind: Just as full with longing, and anxiety, and hopelessness - and hope! - as Hajime.
We're left behind wondering if all we witnessed was just an elaborate dream, a figment of our yearning mind. As we sit and wonder, let me reiterate some oh-so-relevant words by Morrissey:
"So for once in my life /
Let me get what I want /
Lord knows, it would be the first time."
5/5
janasf26's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars // another good Murakami story but not as stunning as his best.
svir's review against another edition
2.0
Romance novel for men who hate women but like jazz. This ain't no WU Bird Chronicle.
jeraldo's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.75
heathcliffdt_'s review against another edition
2.0
This book is slowly making Murakami lose his appeal on me what with the repetitive employment of the Haruki Murakami magic realism trademark: manic pixie mysterious dream girl trope, sex drive gone haywire, and my God the vinyl collections. Finishing this felt such a tedious chore.
samboyd's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nadiakiba's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
will never read another Murakami book