A review by sandaru
Men Without Women: Stories by Haruki Murakami

challenging dark reflective fast-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

2.5

 In this latest short story collection by Murakami, I am once again certain, after this being the 3rd short story collection I have read, Murakami is good at novels but he lacks from a short story perspective. His weird and overly sexualised writings get more highlighted in the short story pace, while this is more spread out in the novels. His writing remains as exquisite and eloquent as ever, delving into the lives of men facing a certain emptiness caused by the absence of women.

However, one recurring concern I have is the consistent portrayal of women in each story. They are often depicted as cheaters or somehow responsible for the male characters' situations, even when the male character is the one at fault. This portrayal left me feeling somewhat biased and lacking the balance that is typically present in depictions of both men and women. 

Like how Yin and Yang are not all black and white. It's black with a little white in it and white with a little black in it.