Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - A sud del confine, a ovest del sole

This was my first proper novel by Haruki Murakami (excluding The Strange Library). I listened to it as an audiobook and it was well narrated. I liked the fact that it reads easy, even though the themes it explores are not particularly easy at all. The book talks about how our past relationships often end up finding their way back into the present and what the dangers of revisiting those can implicate on your current life and relationships. Cheating on partners, specifically men cheating on women seems to be trivialized and justified through this story and that is something very disturbing. I know Murakami is a highly celebrated author yet I'm not sure if I will pick up another of his novels very soon, because based on this one, I did find the tone to be a bit depressing and tragic.

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mykimmicalromance's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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woodiefrog's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Incredibly moving. Realistic examination into memory and morality, the personal past and collective. Some regrets will never be forgotten, nor can anything else fill up the void and all that’s left is to chase the regret until you collapse west of the sun. But somehow the lucky ones are able to carry on, with someone’s warm hand on the shoulder.

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conorcjoyce's review against another edition

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Honestly felt like fan-fic and just didn’t live up to my hopes, it promised a jazz bar and hazy vibes and delivered weird erotica instead.

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koberreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

A great read for those who love great prose and are married (I am not married yet but I do feel the story is set up for the married man or woman. Don't worry, I didn't spoil it because it is in the book description already.)

It is one of his best raw prose of Murakami regarding human nature and the unexpected desires that come out of oneself. It is also largely a love story of infidelity that would be more relatable to a married man or woman which at the same can be a tale of warning of what to do or not to do. but poetic and reflective enough for any reader. But I guess if you are married while reading this or longing for your childhood love to emerge into your adult life then this would most likely be a masterpiece for you because the poetry and feelings of each word would be tenfold an experience for you.

But for a guy who doesn't have those things. Another reflective novel for me. I have an odd preference “to reflect” so forgive me for liking the book because of that.

Also, read well the part about insider trading. Know what is and do it

Also goddamn, let it go, and don't cheat man.

If you are questioning who you are because of this book, I have a proposition from Rupert Spira:

The awareness that is aware of the depression, loneliness, or sense of lack that you have, is the same awareness that also feels excitement or a positive thought

That's who you are, the awareness. The ever-present, complete, and in always pristine condition no matter what you felt before, whatever you are feeling right now, and whatever you will be feeling in the future, you will always be aware, no matter what in its pristine condition. It is also the happiness we all seek. But sadly we seek it in things or other people, in this case, Hajime looks for it in his mysterious unstable childhood love

If you feel like the feeling right now is not to your liking or feel you are weighed down by it. It's just a thought. There are no bad or good thoughts/feelings. Just helpful and unhelpful ones, you can always choose which thought or feeling to feed.

Go pick-up Rupert Spira book "Being aware of being aware" book if you want a deep dive on this or want some clarification after feeling lonely and lost in a book that makes you such in the end.

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