Montgomery Webster
Information value: 7.0 / 10
Content density: 8
Structure (Story): 9 / 10
Prose: 9
Be forewarned: This is not a personal development book. I presumed that the person who recommended it to me did so in that vain, just as my suggestions to her were. However, one of us made a mistake.
Not being the book I was expecting, nor of a genre I would consider reading, I kept waiting for some tips on dealing with trauma. Part of the psycho-therpeudical school of thought is that everyone has trauma. That was why this book was supposed to have universal relevance. However, I don't recall the author ever taking that stance, and all the techniques that were introduced, were done so in a slightly academic manner; not as useful standalone exercises.
Note that I read the book over many periods. The library loan kept expiring as I read this piece of non-fiction alongside my preferred pleasure of literary and genre fiction. As a result, my comments might have some inaccuricies. You probably know to expect that from me anyway.
Story: 7.5 / 10
Characters: 7
Setting: 9.0
Prose: 7.5
Note that the Author's Preface contains lengthy excerpts from the book. I would suggest skipping it altogether. It's main themes are how publishers describe Kim, namely as American, or Korean, as well as the concept of Han. I read the preface after finishing the book. The Author's Note was far more interesting.
Story: 7.0 / 10
Characters: 8.5
Setting: 7
Prose: 7.5
My second Murakami book. A friend insisted I give Murakami another try, that The Big Sheep Chase wasn't the best book of theirs to start with. You'll be happy to know that they were right. This book was much better. Overall, I enjoyed it very much.
You'll be saddened to hear that I'm still not going to read Murakami again. The story didn't get started until 30 - 55% of the way through the book. Wasting that many pages is unforgiveable.
DO NOT RECOMMEND MURAKAMI TO ME AGAIN...
Story: 9.0 / 10
Characters: 10
Setting: 8.5
Prose: 8
BEST novel I've read since 2019 (42 months) and one of the most impressionable books of MY LIFETIME.
With a breathtaking, complex plot, Onda's masterpiece intertwines memories with the traumatic events of our lives. Forewarning though: The book is written in one-sided first person. The reader only hears the spoken voice of the each chapter's lead character.
