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nofacelif 's review for:
Norwegian Wood
by Haruki Murakami
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Although I enjoyed the storytelling, Murakami can't write women characters. Especially Naoko and Midori's narrations are super misogynistic and male gaze-y. Midori is the embodiment of the manic pixie dream girl. While Naoko is the beautiful sad girl. Rekio, Naoko's roommate, is this older, wiser woman who is still beautiful (the wrinkles on her face are emphasized so much throughout the book). Also, the interaction between Reiko and the 13-year-old girl was not only pedophilic but also unnecessary to the plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt