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walruz's review against another edition
4.0
Here's an interesting combination: I have no idea what this book was about, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. When I finished, I felt like I was still at the bottom of the dried-up well with the main character, deep in the act of contemplating....what?
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful, dark, sometimes startlingly violent, compelling. In short, many of the things that make a book great. Certainly not an easy read, but this is one of those wonderful books that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. I feel like I am not doing it justice. Just read it, and you'll understand.
g100507's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
0.25
fersitour's review against another edition
mysterious
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? No
3.5
jennifertijssen's review against another edition
3.0
Worldbuilding was goed, beschrijvingen van de omgeving waren immersive en herkenbaar. Geschiedenisles was interessant. Relaties van volwassen mannen met tienermeisjes waren walgelijk en onnodig. Ieder vrouwelijk karakter in het boek werd bekeken door een seksuele lens van het hoofdpersonage, en weinig anders dan dat. Onbevredigend einde, maar misschien ben ik niet intelligent genoeg om de échte betekenis te begrijpen.
fangfang's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
danielkallin04's review against another edition
4.0
Less immediate than Kafka on the Shore, and less innocent too. Murakami writes some of the most horrific passages I have ever read. There's humour too, as the world of Mr. Wind-Up Bird is often too absurd to take seriously. I love the way Murakami pulls from some of the worst parts of Japanese history to parallel key plot points and make the book an extremely significant work of fiction.
It's no easy read. Even with my complete engagement, the lengthy periods of storytelling make this novel much less of a page-turner than Kafka was for me. But, by the end, I felt like the experience was thoroughly rewarding, further pushing the boundaries of my perception of what literature can be.
I'll miss these characters as much as I hope I never have to meet them again; the pain they carry is just too much to bear. As Mr. Wind-Up Bird would say, oh well...
It's no easy read. Even with my complete engagement, the lengthy periods of storytelling make this novel much less of a page-turner than Kafka was for me. But, by the end, I felt like the experience was thoroughly rewarding, further pushing the boundaries of my perception of what literature can be.
I'll miss these characters as much as I hope I never have to meet them again; the pain they carry is just too much to bear. As Mr. Wind-Up Bird would say, oh well...