A review by nzhuo5392
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami

adventurous reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Why must cis-het men keep ruining my books!! 

Murakami's writing style and effortless world-building are standout in this book, but the removed sexualization of literally every woman the protagonist encounters is sickening, especially considering that one of these women is a 17-year-old. There's also a recurring disgust associated with women eating that serves a purpose, but remains deeply troubling nonetheless.

The book is alternates between two storylines that intersect somewhat predictably. Though I do wish Murakami's hints at the relationship between the two stories were a little more covert, I did enjoy the way he used these plot lines to paint a bigger picture about consciousness, the self, and emotional vulnerability.

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