bella613's Reviews (551)

Oof this one is a lot. 
This is so well written, and so deep. But it's one that I find hard to connect with and uncomfortable to think about. Murakami is always exploring depressive/traumatic taboo in his novels but this one takes the cake of any I've read so far. It was extremely difficult to read chapters 16, 29, and 39. I would put a huge TW on those particular chapters. If you haven't read Murakami before, then go into it like you would a horror genre. He does not write horror, but he sure isn't afraid to get icky. 
Also, after finishing, I'm still not really sure how some of the pieces connect or if they are even supposed to. The beginning was very five-star for me but it went in a different direction than it appeared to be headed at first.

I didn't love the experience of this book but it is still good, if that makes sense. It's hard to say I recommend it because of the content (

incest, rape, murder, violence, and weird fixation on the main chatacters genitals.

) but if you can handle it and want to get into it, then it's one to take your time with. I would not suggest it as a first by the author. But if you like his other stuff then definitely read this! 

My favorite bits include the idea of a lighter shadow, conversing with cats, and the less-human inner self taking the form of a crow. 
My least favorite parts include the entirety of the three chapters mentioned above.

This was enjoyable to listen to! Very informative but I probably won't remember much of it for long. I found it interesting and engaging.

I really, really like this book.
Listening to her argue with herself felt exactly like listening to my own internal dialogue. Several times I wondered how she got inside my head. While I've never been *that sick* I think in a lot of the same ways portrayed in this book.
Can I also just say that it is extremely rare for me to read or hear second person narrative and appreciate it? This author is insanely talented. The way she crafts her sentences and imagines her story are unique and artful. 
It's a memoir, but definitely not an autobiography. It felt so communicative and fluid. I think she purposely writes it so it's less like hearing her story and more like looking at a reflection of her/you/everyone. I'm sure that it doesn't feel as intensely relatable to every reader, but I think anyone would feel its intense humanity.
The narrator does an incredible job with this audiobook as well. 
I'm gushing but I do want to give reason for not rating it five star- because I went back and forth on that for a while. The bits about hating dogs felt a little unnecessary. Sometimes the feminist vibes got kinda preachy and it was maybe not the right time or place so it kind of drew from the story for me. Other times it felt a little drawn out, which was definitely part of the beauty of it but could also lose you if you aren't dialed in. That's just me being picky and overall I loved it.

This is great! I was laughing out loud at some parts. It was very enjoyable and informative. I love the author's style. He did a good job on narration, too.

I didn't even plan this but I listened to it on pi day :) 

I liked this. It was pretty straightforward and simple as stories go but it's clearly supposed to be that way as a sports memoir. I like that it was accessible and relatable for anyone and not just to gymnasts!