Reacting to comments from Murakami fans

[@saly4762]

As an ex-murakami fan this is hilarious . IMO most Murakami fans haven’t read a lot of translated books and murakami is their one “exotic” author.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I couldn’t agree more!

[@isabelab6851]

Same here. It was my intro into translated works but I have moved on to s some truly amazing works by fabulous authors!

[@chrisrichards7063]

This... was kind of me, actually. Murakami was an introduction for me to modern works in translation, especially Japanese works, and I still feel grateful to him for that and I still find a lot of things to love in the way he portrays sort of 'mundane but very strange' worlds. But I haven't actually read a book of his for a while, and going back to them and realising that this stuff was there, and I just wasn't a critical enough reader to spot it at the time, was kind of sad. But then I realised I could have all of the stuff I loved about Murakami in other authors and other books, without the ick. And that was cool. (And, again, I probably wouldn't have found those other authors and other books had I not got into Murakami first, so... all's well that ends well?)

[@Liliquan]

The truth of this leaves me speechless.

[@pixelsbykris5494]

​@@chrisrichards7063 I'm not the writer or the original comment, but I AM a lesbian with a problematic history of my own so I guess this response is kind of relevant and might make you feel a bit better (even if only a tiny bit). But! It's like my girlfriend told me just a few days ago: Life is a learning process and what matters is, even if you started somewhere problematic (ie a misogynist or a homophobe or what have you) as long as you realise(d) at some point that you are(or were) something/someone problematic and work to change that, to become a better person, then that's what counts. If anything, the fact you managed to realise these issues were there at all, no matter how much farther along you are in life, if proof enough that you've grown and become a better person. So don't feel bad that you didn't notice these things before! Rejoice in the fact that you're able to see these things NOW. Also, at the very least, reading Murakami DID help you find more, similar works, so yeah! All's well that ends well, I'd say! ;)

[@lvriend]

I find it so strange that people don't understand that you can read books, enjoy them (or aspects of them), and still critique what's problematic. I like a number of his books, but also see the problems and exploring them and identifying what I like about them, has led me to discover other wonderful authors. Thanks for this video. Offered many opportunities for very cathartic eye rolls! As an aside, I often wonder what Murakami's wife is like.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

You’re absolutely right! There’s very little nuance when it comes to dedicated fans of things. They’re afraid of criticism. I have enjoyed his books in the past and mostly get annoyed by him these days. There’s no absolute good or bad!

[@ggabiggs]

I’m so glad to see someone put it out there how misogynistic marakami is I remember getting so many recommendations of his work and when I finally chose to pick up norwegian wood I was horrified by the depiction of woman it was revolting and I was shocked that none of the various from all the reviews I had read of his books before hand had mentioned this this NEEDS to be at the very least mentioned so thank you for putting it out there and discuss it so brilliantly

[@britwww]

The issue with Murakami’s portrayal of women is it’s like he’s genuinely incapable of seeing them as human beings. Anytime a woman is introduced into the story, it becomes sexual or the tone changes completely. I picked up a collection of his short stories and in one of them the main character’s *mother* appears and is immediately delegated to the role of a sexual object through the eyes of the MC, her son. That was my final straw. It’s hard to take anyone seriously when their recommendations for translated or Japanese work start and end at Murakami.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

God this is such a great point, thank you so much for bringing it up!

[@mayanksaini2684]

I like reading Murakami's books, but that does not mean he is a perfect writer. I would rate him as mostly Good, sometimes Average. HIs portrayal of women is problematic, his portrayal of relations among people is also problematic, sometimes his stories just drag and he seems to be in a bubble of his own when it comes to writing intimacy. The only two reasons I read Murakami are that his stories stays with me even after I have read the book and I like how he blends fantasy elements in reality timeline(magical realism genre).

[@anyaconda3155]

Couldn't have summed it up better 😉

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Absolutely! You nailed why I like him and also all the glaring issues he has

[@ernabro2723]

Same!

[@isabelab6851]

I completely agree with you! You have summed up how I feel about his books. Thank you

[@pauld2810]

"...the men who love the misogyny from writers like Murakami often take issue with shocking, punk, subversive literature from women and Queer people." I love, love, LOVE that!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Being quoted is very flattering lol thank you 💜

[@MrUndersolo]

Nailed it!

[@thequestionasker]

I think what these people need to take into consideration is that you can criticize media whilst still enjoying it! Even if dissecting some problematic parts of something you really like can be quite difficult, it's absolutely necessary for overcoming your limitations!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Absolutely! I still enjoy some of Murakami’s books, tropes, and ideas! I don’t simply hate him. And they don’t have to simply love him unconditionally. Be smarter and more sensitive

[@daysleeper1989]

"Rich famous man and J K Rowling " it's a category 😂 I have made peace with Murakami. I can often enjoy his books accepting his misogyny. Just like I would read a classic, except that he is alive and knows all of these issues. And wrote a full story in First Person Singular defending defining women by their fat. 😅

[@WillowTalksBooks]

God he’s so awful lol. But I do also admit that I enjoy him from time to time!

[@breakingoff]

I've given up on Murakami. Some people don't mind the misogyny, but saying there's none is just playing dumb.

[@fashionearrings]

Some of the things you've said here are worthy of being etched in gold. I would like to encapsulate these little gems in memes and share with the world.

[@dhanya7613]

omg exactly!!!

[@fashionearrings]

@@dhanya7613 🖤

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Wow that is a serious compliment! I’m glowing 💜

[@fashionearrings]

@@WillowTalksBooks good.

[@effloress]

I can't wait to return to the comments section in a few months time to see more enlightening comments from truly open-minded Murakami simps

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Yeah this video is gonna be a hotbed for angry men who couldn’t argue their way out of an open box! Can’t wait :)

[@WillowTalksBooks]

@Daniel Rumbacher I have never in my life read anything as nauseating as “the way Murakami writes women is the ideal way for single men”.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

You’re right. I’ll send Murakami a letter apologising for engaging with his works on a critical level, rather than just sitting back and taking in all the dangerous and problematic misogyny. I understand now that we should let men write as they please, unfiltered and uncriticised. I’ll tell my other critic friends to stop reviewing his works. And if they do, they should avoid mentioning his bad sex and objectification of women, because it’s magic and therefore should be left out of all reviews and essays.

[@effloress]

@Daniel Rumbacher do you believe that if Murakami took the time to more carefully develop his female characters and shape them into something more fully realized...his books would become somehow worse off? Do you believe that if Murakami chose to write sex scenes that fostered a glimpse into the intimacy shared between two fully realized characters over sex scenes that are plainly objectifying and one dimensional...his books would lose appeal or merit? Do the depths of human nature frighten these "single men", is that it? Perhaps one dimensional characters are most comfortable to "single men" because they have never known the depths of a woman firsthand. Why else would misogyny and one dimensional women be the fantasy? Would a person familiar with the joys of intimacy, sex and women even be capable of reading certain sections of a Murakami text and feeling as though it were anywhere near satisfactory? Is it easiest for these "single men" to close their eyes and imagine women as something closer to rain smoothed clay, malleable within the grip of their trembling hands? These critiques are important, especially if you enjoy Murakami. Why would anyone want anything less of a writer they believe to be great than their best possible work? If you believe that Murakami wouldn't be "as good" if he wrote objectively better female characters....Danny, buddy...that is certainly something for you to mull over in private!

[@TheHammy1987]

Okay, I feel the need to say this, so here goes nothing: I like your reviews because they are very well thought out and your arguments are cogent (did I use this correctly? Second language and all...). Criticizing problematic aspects of a book or an authors oeuvre does not take away it's value - it just points out problematic aspects and I don't see anything wrong with that (quite the opposite, actually). I like most, but definitely not all of what I've read by Murakami and I wholeheartedly agree that his misogyny is problematic and I like your reviews especially for pointing out aspects like this. Why do people feel personally offended when something they like is being criticized? Oh and, Cheers, I'll get a glass of wine now, too :D

[@WillowTalksBooks]

This is all very kind and thoughtful of you, thank you! People emotionally and intellectually invest themselves into the art they love, and when that art is criticised, they feel like they are also under attack. I’ve felt it myself but it’s not real, and they need to just calm down and admit that, as crazy as it might sound, a disgusting misogynistic pervert isn’t perfect! 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@radiantchristina]

I am a Murakami fan …I was giggling the whole way through this video . Loved it ! Honestly, I have more issues with the viewer's comments than I ever had with Murakami 😂. This was by far the best video I've seen today lol.

[@jffpviana]

'What kind of woman could he write that would be ok?' A realistic one, love. Just once, a realistic one would be nice.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Hahaha such a simple answer that men find so difficult to comprehend

[@jonathonglover6488]

I’ve only read Norweigan Wood earlier this year and I picked up on a lot of the elements you were talking about in his perspective. The troubling thing is how much the book has stayed with me. I haven’t jumped back into any of his other work as of yet, and I won’t be tackling his whole ouvre but it is interesting that a book that clearly has problematic depictions of female characters is still so effective. It’s wired so hard into us. It’s like how I am generally anti-war and military jingoism but still get an emotional jolt when hearing the last post on ANZAC day (Aussie here).

[@carolinethereader]

What an incredible video! I used to think of Murakami as my favourite author but I gave up because of the misogyny (love that you called it 'passive misogyny', so true). It was easy to write off some of the issues I had with his writing when he was the only Japanese author I'd read but now I've branched out into other Japanese authors and other translated fiction, I just don't want to waste my time. Why would I read about yet another middle-aged jazz fan having emotional difficulties when Meiko Kawakami and Sayaka Murata exist and churn out nothing but bangers lol

[@WillowTalksBooks]

All of this was so perfectly said! You’re describing my feelings AND experiences to a tee!

[@rennyseven3002]

Haruki Murakami's misogyny is one of the reasons I gave up reading his stuff. Yes, I liked Kafka on the Shore, Norwegian Wood, and A Wild Sheep Chase, but some of the others I had to put down. They just weren't for me. Murakami fans insist everything he does is a masterpiece and whatnot. They get so defensive, so I applaud you for putting this video out. Anyway, I enjoyed this video.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I totally agree with this. I’ve enjoyed a lot of his books but it gets to a point where you can’t ignore the ick any more.

[@Lorena-eh5cl]

Oh my god, I love you so much 😂😂 I could not stop laughing! Btw, your reading voice is awesome! You’d make a fantastic audiobook narrator

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I’ve been told that before and it’s actually something I’d love to get into! Thank you!

[@Lorena-eh5cl]

@@WillowTalksBooks of course! 💕

[@RachaelsLibrary]

Willow's voice is therapeutic.

[@br1na332]

@@WillowTalksBooks I absolutely second this and would be here for it!

[@GM-vr4eb]

I'm very sorry for your experience. There's another corner of the internet that has the most vocal fandom. The Malazan Book of the Fallen fandom is wild. Just buck wild. On bad sex, I'm sure you've read it but Cat Person by Kristen Roupenian is a great story.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Oooh I’ll check out Cat Person, thanks!

[@chloelefeufollet]

This video is so satisfying to watch ! You can explain the murakami problem so well thank you 🫶

[@isabelab6851]

I am glad that you are able to get a laugh at some of these. I do not understand why they are trying to defend the indefensible or why they have to attack you personally. I have liked many of Murakami’s books…not all. As I have gotten older I have become more sensitive to misogynistic point of view. It bothered me before but now I cannot accept it, find it offensive. I am not into gothic books or really disturbing books. I have learned to appreciate it for what it is from your reviews. Even started exploring some. Part of my growth. Thank you

[@rachel1021]

Such silly Murakami fans/simps, the only thing to do is laugh at them. Also I love your Jane Austen shirt. 😊 Oh btw, I read Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez and translated by Megan McDowell. Ahhhh that book was so disturbing. Every story made me want to cry because of the sad and/or frightening events. I knew what to expect because of The Dangers of Smoking in Bed, but it was still gruesome and scary, and each one left me uncomfortable, but in a thoughtful way. Hope that makes sense. I just wish I'd known that a cat is killed on page in one of the stories so I could have mentally prepared for it. 😭😱 Hahaha, I hope you don't mind that I was off-topic. 😅

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I appreciate you mentioning her! Because of Murakami fans think he’s brave and daring, they should probably read Enriquez!

[@rachel1021]

@@WillowTalksBooksOmg yes they should read her stories! I've read Murakami's books Norwegian Wood, Sputnik Sweetheart, and his short story collection Men Without Women. At the time I wasn't aware how problematic he was and gave them all 5 stars. And yet the fact that I don't feel the need to reread them or read other books is a sign that his writing is not essential for my happiness. But when it comes to writers such as Melissa Broder, Sayaka Murata and Mariana Enriquez, I NEED THEM! I CANNOT IMAGINE MY LIFE NOT WITHOUT THEIR WRITING. 😭 sorry for getting all shouty at the end there lol

[@helensmith3140]

Please review more Murakami videos so we can get a part 2 of this because this proper cracked me up

[@blablu1317]

Thank you so so much for this video! I read one of his books and tried a second one and then I was out. Totally agree with you! Also these fans are creepy and…they miss the point regarding misogyny. I‘m speechless 😶

[@xXbubbelXx]

What I noticed the most in a lot of "ranty" responses to negative Murakami Reviews is how the people keep going on about the great symbolism, deep themes, complex meaning, how they say it's "an experience transcending the medium" or simply "you don't get it". One was upfront about how they bought it 6 years ago, still hasn't finished it, yet they claim it's clearly the greatest book ever... What? But even if you ask them, nobody ever actually tells you what symbolism/meaning/etc. they see. They love to use big words but refuse to give you anything more specific.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

You’re absolutely right. It seems smart to them so they can claim to be smart by understanding something that isn’t there at all…

[@mezzmerritt1]

I really enjoy Murakami's works. When I deeply enjoy something I find I tend to criticise it even more, and want to delve further into it, therefore finding flaws. When I read Murakami's novels, I feel swept away by the magical realism, but always, in hindsight, I dwell on the issues. It's undeniable that his female characters are mostly appalling, like a lot of Hemingway's (For Whom the Bell Tolls is a prime example in my opinion). As you stated in the video, the issue doesn't lie with Murakami writing misogynistic characters for effect or social commentary, which in my opinion would be fine, but the issue lies in the fact that the overall tone or narration (the author's own mind) comes across as such. That creates, for me, the dilemma of enjoying a piece of fictional media for the atmosphere and setting, but disliking the voice of the creator in reality. Are people so obsessed with his fictional works that they are blinded to the reality of the author? Seems that way. Such a shame really. Also, thank you for some amazing book recommendations, Love your channel! (Currently reading The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez 🤯)

[@sirfynn_8848]

This was such a treat! I still like some Murakami books but his portrayal of women is just horrendous. But especially since I’ve now partially read 1Q84 (I couldn’t finish it) I can really understand your criticism of him and his writing. Back when I watched your review of it without having read it I just thought “that doesn’t sound great but maybe it’s not thaaat bad right?” And god I was wrong, worst book I read this year. Although the only thing 1Q84 is good for is to drunk read the worst scenes to your friends.

[@agniguha3002]

YES. YES. YES. I remember reading South of the border East of the sun (or something of that sort) and the dude's a stalker, which I don't mind unless it's romanticized. Our main character is shown to be some star crossed lover and not reprimanded for his behaviour. That's not self-aware writing. Honestly that's all I can remember from the text since I read it about 6 years ago. Also, not to generalize but most of the female Murakami fans who can't see anything wrong with his literature are the classic not like other girls. I remember having a conversation with a fangirl where I only pointed out the objectification of women and she said that I don't understand the point of literature. 🤷‍♀️ Also, I love your recommendations! ❤

[@elisazouza]

You drinking wine makes this extremely gooood

[@sLePpInG]

Murakami is such a starter author for someone (specially men) wanting to get into literature. I didn't understand many of the criticisms people have with him at first, but I tried because those people were better read than me, and now I get it (especially his earlier works, those were horrendous) I thought he was being awkward with an intent, or maybe it was the translation, but no... he's just lazy (and so pseudo-intellectual omg please stop) Btw, what's your opinion on After Dark, with the female protagonist?

[@AnnNovella]

That is so true!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Pseudo-intellectual! Absolutely! And that’s why his male fans like him. He seems smart but isn’t and they love that. Also I haven’t actually read After Dark! I might? Not sure

[@sLePpInG]

@@WillowTalksBooks I like it, but I would've liked it more if I didn't know it was by him, you know? It's hard to explain, but the general scummy, creepy vibes would've felt like a genuine part of the story, not the writing. It's a short novella at least.

[@AbsurdExistentialist]

As embarrassing as this might sound, I used to consider Murakami my favourite author, because 1) I hadn't read any other Japanese authors (lmao), and 2) one of the few men I've ever loved considered Murakami one of his favorites, and he died of cancer a few years ago, and I vowed to read more of Murakami's new works on his behalf. BUT. People change. Our tastes evolve. And the weird way in which he writes women kept bugging me more and more, and his sexism became undeniable. I don't know if I can ever fully enjoy Murakami ever again, which makes me sad, I really do want to like him again, but this seems to be out of my hands at this point

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I also considered him a favourite at one point and even considered myself a diverse reader for having read him! So embarrassing lol

[@Nixx0912]

I've been avoiding Murakami for ages. I have usually a problem with bestsellers and if I see an author everywhere I have a strong suspicion I want like it.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

This is often true and sometimes not. Matt Haig is worthless, in my opinion, but I’m a big Sally Rooney fan. Gotta make your own judgments usually

[@spungle6426]

you really hit the nail on the head with all your reactions to the comments

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Thank you so much 😊

[@ErebosTerror]

Never heard of this fellow. Not sure he's in my lane, but to each their own. Kudos to you, my friend, for loving "Frankenstein" though. One of the greatest books ever written, and still valid to this very day. Also, if it were not for you readjusting my perspective, I would never have read "Wuthering Heights" which was vastly better than I assumed it would be. Keep it up.🖖

[@WillowTalksBooks]

This is all really lovely, thank you! Glad you enjoyed Wuthering Heights so much!

[@azhairving]

This was so worth being sleepless at 4AM!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Oh wow I’m sorry but also thank you!

[@SantReads]

Lol I loved this so much!!! You're so articulate even when you're burning people. 😂 Honestly, goals.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Oh my god colour me flattered!

[@janethansen9612]

I have read several Murakami novels from my own bias of being a woman and won't bother spending any more time on him. Thousands of words about breast shapes are just boring and clearly not intended for people who actually have breasts. Actually a lot of Murakami is just boring.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Yup! Takes a few books and eventually you think, ok yeah I’m done

[@willcacti8302]

@@WillowTalksBooks I’ve read Colorless, Wind/Pinball, Wild Sheep Chase, Hardboiled Wonderland, and have paused reading Norwegian Wood cause I feel like I’m reaching a breaking point because I’m starting to feel bored so you’re right

[@book_slug]

Willow, you are a delight. I incidentally found your channel thru Murakami, as I read (unfortunately) 1Q84 and immediately sought reviews that weren't like, 'wow this is a masterpiece'. i recently had a friend interested in Murakami and i sent them your vids so they can not waste their life reading him lol

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Hahaha this has really made my day, thank you!

[@nessleepk]

I love Murakami, he is probably my favorite author. You are absolutely right he does not need to be defended. His writing style does not come off as maliciously misogynistic, more that he doesn't care to learn about them or their perspective. Still sexist tho. It seems he doesn't feel that he is by attempting to include characters like Aomame, the Dowager from 1Q84, Miss Saeki, and Oshima from Kafka. But while I enjoy all those characters but at best they're a few average representations of women or trans people among his many, many insulting depictions and at worst they're still demeaning. I'm not going to bat for a man who had his big break 40 years ago and his most recent book still has the same problematic writing. If we're talking about "punk" and "shock factor" I had to drop Earthlings by Sayaka Murata because I almost threw up while listening to the audiobook because a female author wrote a much more shocking and visceral depiction of abuse and sexual assault of a young woman, written by a female Japanese author that these people wouldn't give the time of day.

[@nessleepk]

Oops just saw you had a video on Sayaka Murata, preaching to the choir I guess

[@Elizabeth-Reads]

This was great, and hilarious! (Has he ever met a woman? 😂Yes, i squeeze my boobs all the time, just to make sure they're still there.) I loved Murakami as a teen, his plots can be so propulsive, it was only till I became more aware of misogyny in my 20's that I started to become so disgusted by so many of the scenes, his apparent rape fantasies, and his resistance to even try to understand the issues in his work and change after he must have seen readers' responses. I'm guessing most of these comments came from men, and I wonder if the defensiveness comes from them trying to defend their own misogynistic tendencies, or if they're just blind.

[@joydevivre7946]

I'll out myself as an oldie here, but being a Banana Yoshimoto fan in the 90s, I saw how her work was put down and declared uncool by male Murakami fans (early prototypes of edgelords, I guess). I still enjoy Yoshimoto--I treat myself to a Banana binge reread every few years. Murakami? Nope. I barely survived 1Q84, and I haven't touched any of his books since. Keep doing you, Willow. Your critiques are always well thought out. And I say this both as a book lover and an editor.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Thank you so much. Yoshimoto is one of my heroes. She floors me every time

[@leenakoponen5156]

This! Greetings from another oldie Yoshimoto fan.

[@joydevivre7946]

@@leenakoponen5156 Hello! Have you read Dead=End Memories, her newly translated book of short stories? I'm so excited for it, but I'll probably wait for the paperback edition--this oldie struggles with hardcovers, haha!

[@leenakoponen5156]

@@joydevivre7946 Hello! No, I haven't yet, but I can't wait to read it. I'm hoping I can get it from the library, otherwise I'll wait for the paperback too.

[@jorgeibanez9128]

Best video about this issue on Murakami! I’m a big fan of Murakami but you’re 100% right.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I enjoy Murakami as well! You can enjoy it and avoid defending his indefensible misogyny. Thanks for getting that 💜

[@Shaegeeksout]

This video gave me so much joy on a day I was feeling ill. Bless you Willow! This was just what I needed! 🤣🤣🤣💖💖💖

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Awww Shae! I’m so flattered! And I hope you feel better very soon! 💜

[@Shaegeeksout]

@@WillowTalksBooks Thank you so much. I'm hoping so too! 🥰

[@sweetkarolines]

I would have to drink some wine to talk about his topic as well! Cheers Willow! :)

[@arialydia8095]

Whenever I tell people I enjoyed Japanese fiction in translation they say “oh like Haruki Murakami” 😐 and I say no, not like him 😂

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Haha excellent answer 😌

[@br1na332]

Any particular recommendations?

[@jellykd]

I just started Norwegian Wood and was so disappointed. I'm 50 pages in and the main character decides to sleep with a girl who's hysterically crying over her dead boyfriend. He actually noted how he's never seen someone break down with such intensity and then proceeds to sleep with her? I also didn't really enjoy the writing style as it read like YA to me. So disappointing after all the recommendations.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

He’s a tragically awful man lol

[@mittag983]

It read like that one novel I wrote AS a teen where my lesbian mc forced her straight to do sex while she's said over her boyfriend while in prison I was 14 when I wrote this 😂

[@alexandrahope8814]

I'm a coffee person, but THIS tea was DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Hahaha gold star for this comment ⭐️

[@dhanya7613]

l thoroughly enjoyed this video!!💜

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Yay, thank you!

[@dhanya7613]

@@WillowTalksBooks 🥰

[@DynamiteTrujillo]

"Murakami hasn't met a woman" LOL. That's my go to exclamation - Has this guy ever even MET a woman?! I love many Murakami books and I have appreciated your videos on him so much because you have given me the language to express how I feel about 'his women.' Murakami is a struggle for me because I love and hate his work so simultaneously. I loved watching this video. xo (Also, it is funny, because 1Q84 was the first time I actually saw his misogyny and couldn't exactly place why I was rolling my eyes so painfully hard so often while reading it. I hated 1Q84 - And Norwegian Wood, which IMO is the absolute worst, like ever) Also, OMG your 'bad sex' part. YES. Also, we love you too. Ok, I'm done now. xoxo

[@TheMovieSequelDude49]

I wish more people can understand that you're allowed to like something while still acknowledging the problematic aspects of said thing. I've been interested in trying to get into Murakami's work for his incredible, dream-like pose. I've read some of his short stories and found them fantastic. But the misogyny has been the thing that kept me from exploring his work further. Along with some of the other controversial aspects of some of his books (do I want to read about cats getting butchered over and over again? do I wanna read an author who describes how perky a dead underaged sister's nipples are?). I might try one of his novels one day just for curiosity's sake. But for now, I wanna spend more time with authors that respect women. Also, it's ironic that some of those complaints came from an otherwise positive review of his book (not IQ84 obvs). It seems ridiculous to get butthurt about someone complaining that describing one of the characters as "The Chubby Girl" and calling it out for how dehumanizing it is.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

All wonderfully put. He’s not the only author in the world. There are better writers that also respect women

[@abigailmolyneux541]

The opening of the wine! Brilliant! What advice would you give to booksellers approaching Murakami's work and recommending it to customers?

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Possibly just give a warning that he is bad at writing women and can be misogynistic? It’s only fair! And also recommend some great Japanese women authors to balance him out! Yoko Ogawa, Mieko Kawakami, Hiromi Kawakami, Sayaka Murata etc

[@abigailmolyneux541]

@@WillowTalksBooks Amazing! I LOVE those authors already so not a hard job at all!! Love your videos for all of the recommendations!

[@NathFBrito]

Of course a rich japanese man will be misoginistic. Japanese society in general is absurdly misoginistic, their view on women and their place in society is sickening. I like Murakami, like his writing style, and I find it valid to question the way he writes women. I just think that with a background like that, he went unquestioned for his misogyny all of his life, specially in his japanese bubble in the 70's, 80's and 90's. Also, what bothers me the most is the sexualization of really young women in his novels, another thing that is present in a lot of japanese works. Murakami is a creep, I don't think there's a better way to describe it. Does he recognize it, though? Does he want to deconstruct his views? I think that it is even more problematic that his views are the same 'til today. Society changes, but many people who were born 50 years ago do not want to change their views.

[@Ashmont27]

I haven't read any Murakami and I think it's probably gonna stay that way 🤷‍♀️ there's just so many other books I'd rather read

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Absolutely! Read better, smarter, more challenging authors!

[@aang_arang]

Just found your channel and book reviews. I'm very skeptical of book reviews online in this day and age but I really enjoy your takes.!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Thanks! I’m very good at my job :)

[@Chloe-ui5hl]

I love this video. Whilst I do really like Murakami’s writing style, I don’t think I’ve ever read one of his novels without cringing at something he’s written 🤣😭

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I agree! There’s a lot about him I do like but, Jesus, he’s so terrible so often lol

[@ALoveSupreme65]

Exactly how I feel. Finding Murakami was great considering I love magical realism and was looking to scratch that itch that Gabriel Garcia Marquez had me hooked on. BUT reading Murakami can be quite cringe. 😂My first book of his was Kafka on the shore (which I still love to this day) but there were portions of that book where I just kept screaming in my head “WHY??”. lol And it’s been a consistent experience while I have been on this journey of reading his other works. I have to look past the misogyny in order to appreciate other aspects of his writing but I really do wish he would grow from it after hearing some of the negative feedback he has received regarding his depictions of women. Reading his interview with Mieko Kawakami made me realize there is no hope for growth in this aspect of his writing. He just came across as careless and dismissive of his bad tropes with female characters. Even went as far to say that he wouldn’t consider it a pattern but merely a coincidence.😂 It’s pretty obvious he makes no effort into trying to depict realistic characters and simply writes whatever is his inspiration at that point in time. I can still appreciate his writing but I would stray far away from ever recommending women in my life to read Murakami. There’s a lot you have to look past in order to appreciate what he is talented at. I don’t blame people at all for finding it too heavy of a burden to look past, when there are so many other great books out there.

[@layasreekumar9638]

I dived into Murakami without any preconceived biases, except praises and people being in awe of his "bizarre" world. The most I had heard was that sex is used in plots a lot ... All this I was fine with, I started ready to have my minds blown and I succeeded in that. Through the flow of his story and his world building? Sure . But even more due to the sexism and portrayal of women, being graphic about women's bodies in a way it feels like a man stripped you naked in midst of the road, it felt like a stranger forcing his way into my deepest corner without my permission and commenting on it with a loudspeaker. I was astonished and my first thought was how dare he? A man has no right to "imagine" that women's thoughts are in the same line as in porn and present it as a true portrayal with all seriousness. The amount of times underaged girls have initiated sex with a grown man in his stories had me numb...there is no other excuse to this than this is what he fantasies. None of the adults in this situation repent, reflect or suffer any consequences...again and again we are made to pity them. In iq84, Aomame "grieves" her two dead friends by remembering their breasts, in Kafka the protagonist gets an erection because a girl who called him her younger brother rested his head on his shoulder and her brastrap was showing..... This doesn't show grey characters, it's insulting and very scary because this makes me think every other man as ordinary as Murakami's men can be scanning you and judging how you would be in bed with them regardless of whether you are 15 or 50. According to him women are all about their breasts, that is the core of their personality and I don't ever want to read him again

[@majaelisesierakowski]

i have kafka on the shore still unread on my bookshelf, and i was wondering if you think that it’s worth reading? i really enjoyed norwegian wood and wanted to read kafka on the shore too but now i’m not so sure anymore lmao

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I remember really enjoying Kafka on the Shore when I read it a few years ago. It’s a bit bloated, as all his books are, but it was fine. My favourite is The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. Probably the only Murakami novel I’d still happily recommend to people!

[@eluzaizion7690]

We love your video! Screw Murakami and his simps :)

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Hahahaha thanks!

[@Snoozingbat]

Hey! as a Murakami fan, I enjoyed this video! As a person identifying with she/her pronouns, I do find myself being upset over the misogyny in his books. This has caused me to look for some female Japanese authors and just more authors of different colours and gender! I still enjoy Murakami's writing and would call myself a Murakami fan, but I also can see the flaws in his writing! that's just my opinion, tho, but you gained a new subscriber! I really enjoyed this video :)))

[@Snoozingbat]

ps! you should read this article about an interview he does where he addresses some of the topics you bring up in this video, with another female author! It's called, a feminist critique of Murakami novels with Murakami himself. have a nice day! :)

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I have :) It’s with Mieko Kawakami, one of my favourite Japanese authors. If you want some great female Japanese writers, I recommend her, Sayaka Murata, and Yoko Ogawa to start with :)

[@Tommy-xy1eh]

I normally don’t drink ☺️ But watching this make me want to have a glass 🍷 Cheers ! Thank you 🙏🏻

[@ruth7855]

You go Willow!!!! And to think I almost read one of his books and just couldn’t get into it. Thankfully-apparently, I don’t do well with misogyny. I was going to read Norwegian Wood. I just couldn’t get into it.

[@Dream_RAE]

I’m 16 and just read my first Murakami book today- first person singular. I can’t really say I’m a full fan, but their are so many times where I’m so in love with the story. It’s just, the way he describes women sometimes. It’s just disgusting. It sort of hurts, one thing that still lingers is, “her complexion was horrible” or something along the lines. Still, I can’t help but love the way the story made me feel and think, especially cream in first person singular.

[@ipshitajee]

5:19 YESSSSS!!! This !!!! I absolutely agree with everything you said!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I am so thrilled to hear that!

[@asterismos5451]

wildly entertaining brand of intelligent, fact-backed joyous saltiness! fun time :)

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Haha thank you so much!

[@obryana20]

I read Kafka on the Shore and found to either be incredibly boring or, when it was starting to get interesting, incredibly misogynistic. I respect that some people can enjoy his work, but I just can't read anything else by him.

[@prove_it000]

The point you make at 4:50. Preach. On point. So true.

[@erikpunt1494]

I am a Murakami fan and at the same time I find your literary commentary / your channel interesting. So it can exist both at the same time. Now my sincere question: where do you think the line is between creative freedom of a writer or artist on the one hand and taking into account civilization, ethics and morality on the other?

[@ferdinand3665]

Hey Bao, I stumbled across your video and at fist it kind of bugged me, because it challenged my sense of perspective. First time around I was 20 old. At that time I haven't read a lot of books beside Murakami's. Now half a year and a lot of other people's novels later, I totally agree. Murakami sure as hell is misogonistic. After your Video I read a few of Murakami's other novels and thought about the one's I've read, now with a new perspective and I totally agree with your opinion. I cringe, when he describes woman just based on the shape of their breasts or in generell by there body. I have a hobby of waiting myself and your video (amongst other events and changes in my life) have really shaped my style and made me more aware of women's and queer peoples struggles/ perspectives in life, which I have given little thought about, when I had my old mindset. Of course I am not saying that I now fully understand and know about the problems people with different genders or sexualities have, but I try to learn more about them. Thanks for giving me a new perspective, eventhough I now enjoy Murakami's books (who was my favourite author) less.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I couldn’t be happier to hear this! Glad to know I’ve been able to make a difference. You’re awesome, thank you :) (Btw, my name’s not Bao. That’s just the channel’s name)

[@hasteyebooks]

the laughing and the drinking is making this video perfect 😂 I hated my first Murakami novel and I'm so glad it was founded - I couldn't pinpoint it back then but it's the misogyny 100% 'why are you defending the powerful?' yes! I also definitely agree that exploring sexism and racism is so important, but like you rightly said it needs to be thought about and done in a certain way, perpetuating sexism/racism/ableism isn't it...sigh

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I’m so glad you enjoyed this and agreed with my points!

[@katherinecooper8694]

Just subscribed :) great takes here. I like how you approach the topic

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Thanks!

[@marcellainthemargins]

What you said about these men enjoying Murakami because he is daring and at the same time judging women/queer people/minority groups are being daring in their art is so spot on! Excellent video!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Haha thank you so much!

[@maxim.j22]

I'm Russian, and I read Murakami in Russian (and French) translations, but where exactly does he judging "queer groups"? How does this judgment manifest itself? I don't understand well, but I really want to understand

[@AllieB-11.11]

@@maxim.j22 They're saying Murakami's fans judge minority groups for being daring.

[@1siddynickhead]

Willow spilling the tea while drinking wine! Love it! I've only read the Colourless Life of ...by Murakami and never felt compelled to pick him up. Judging by that book, I'm not missing much.

[@ALC111222333]

Superb vid. Willow being sassy (but rational and smart) while on the wine is just perfection. More like this plz! ❤️

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Your wish is my command, babe!

[@felinish1]

On the wine 😂 ….gotta love being ‘on the wine’ it makes for great banter and giggling

[@robinpenn7167]

I just want to cut a reaction gif from your "WHY are you defending the powerful?!" with that eerie light-disappeared look. Amazing. 100%

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I’m flattered! Someone make it please!

[@robinpenn7167]

I love the imagery of the Murkami simps as "lost sheep" you wish would just go away. I Lol'ed

[@kanafaskovi7571]

I agree with everything u said in this video , and honestly u deserve much more subsricribers than you have right now , i've read so much good books , thanks to your channel.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Wow thank you so much!

[@vivekian1]

We can read what we want to, and like it as well, but readers, please recognise the problems in the writing and see them for what they are - acknowledge them even and never forget that. Murakami's writing is not just borderline misogynist, it is Misogynist. With a capital M. I love Murakami's way of writing but there are more times now than ever when I pick up recent works, I cringe, and cringe some more. Killing Commendatore was one such book for me - there is not a single woman that is well-characterised, that has agency and to me as a queer person that is bothersome, heck even as a person, on so many levels. So yeah, my larger point is, love your authors, but do not hesitate to call them out, and hope they do better.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

So so beautifully well said, thank you 💜

[@vivekian1]

@@WillowTalksBooks Always. I just finished reading Solo Dance by the way, and I am a wreck. A beautiful wreck if that's possible. And now I am onto Nettleblack and so so excited. :)

[@ReadBecca]

I feel like every one of these needs to go read Earthlings before returning to comment.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Haha absolutely! If you think Murakami is dating and radical, read Murata

[@lourich9573]

Cheers🎉 I love you have people that loves you. It is simple you are intelligent and lovely ❤

[@andrewsawdon2170]

I started 1Q84 a couple days ago and overall like it. Before reading Murakami I knew what I was getting into, and I can say that the tone of this book is definitely misogynistic. However, whenever I come across those scenes I just laugh at how bad they are

[@AliHammoud1]

Who on earth read 1Q84 5 times!!!???? More precisely: why!!!??? I can't agree more with everything you said; as for the sex scenes, Jack Addison for example is shocking and grotesque but makes me laugh so hard because I think it's imaginative and clever, on the other hand, Murakami's sex scenes make me cringe and gag!! There's absolute nothing edgy or thought provoking about them! Oh, and one more thing: I love you!!!!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

You’re amazing, thank you! I truly think a life spent reading 1Q84 five times is a life wasted lol

[@WhaleMilk]

11:38 I also think this person really doesn't get the difference between a book that *is* racist/misogynistic and books that talks about those things. Murakami is passively misogynistic, compared to the plethora of good literature that uses the art form to talk about misogyny in a productive and meaningful way. I'm 100 pages into my very first Murakami novel (Wind-Up Bird) and there have already been scenes that were very ehhhhhhhhh. That is not an analysis of misogyny, that is just being weird to women.

[@katmorriswriter]

Oh I am dying watching this 😂 your responses are smart and too perfect

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Thank you so much. I’m gonna have to do more of these videos!

[@katmorriswriter]

@@WillowTalksBooks yes!!!! That would be great!

[@julietalegue4464]

i'm not a english speaker native, so i'm asummed you all talking about books that are not english when you said translated books (please read Mariana Enriquez shes an Argentinian Writer), for me Murakami was my introduction to japanesse literature and i love it but on the third book that i readed(in past lol) i think it was Kafka en la orilla (idk the english translation but it's have Kafka in it) ive just cannot bare the poetic visión of an oniric forest and then a sex fantasy with an older woman EVERY NIGHT MEANWHILE THE KID WAS 14. Anyways i'm move on to banana yoshimoto and mieko kawakami and i love this refresh view of youth and adolescence and other take on feminism in places so far away. (I'm from argentina) the last japanesse book i read was all lovers in the night and ive finished i'm three days was really obsessed hahaha. If You have another suggestion on japannese literature (and feminism japanesse literature) i would really appreciate thanks You!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I also love Mariana Enriquez, and I have lots of videos about great Japanese authors that you can check out :)

[@julietalegue4464]

@@WillowTalksBooks love ur view of books! idk i u knows Camila Sosa Villada shes increible too so raw and honest, i read kitchen bc of your review thanks u!

[@collectivebrainrot]

let me just say that the wine is highly appropriate.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Haha yeah it really helped

[@juanarce5368]

Hey there! I actually started reading Murakami thanks to you (currently one quarter trough Wind up Bird) and I fully agree with you, as much as I haven't found any blatant case of sexism or misogeny in the book thus far, or at least not how it is portrayed in 1Q84 or Hard Boiled, I definitely think it's important to consider an author's cultural and historic background. Not to excuse the fact that sexism is wrong regardless of the setting but I tend to judge older people people less harshly about antiquated perspectives, sort of how I wouldn't bash my grandma about being uncomfortable around queer people. Point is Murakami is a 73 y/o author born in a country which traditionally has had a very male-centric social structure at a time where many of the things we consider openly wrong today were widely accepted as the norm i.e sexism. Again... he, as we all do, has the responsibility to be better but he also carries with him a los of baises which were a staple of the time and cutlure he grew sorrounded by.

[@DerenWearsPrada]

Love this video😂 you are very articulate and I wouldn’ t want to argue with you. Thank god I’m not a Murakami fan😂

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Haha that’s very kind of you to say. I’m not sure if I’m actually any good at arguing but thank you

[@stargaze9954]

this is iconicccccc

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Haha yay thank you💜

[@TantalTale]

4:37 can you recommend some punk/transgressive literature?

[@br1na332]

Angry author stans are hilarious. I'll be honest, I'm over two thirds of the way through Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe (didn't know what I was getting into, so audiobook x severe ADHD x the intentional flatness of everything, but the psychedelic [which are moments I adore and remind me of M. John Harrison's Viriconium--A Storm of Wings is one of the most beautiful bonkers books I've had the pleasure of] is tough) and seeing Wolfe geniuses descend on any GR review that isn't 5/5 is depressing. I'm so sorry you got shitty comments. Fuck the misgendering guy and anyone who pull the 'gender neutral language' thing (anything can be used for anyone, but with consent). Really glad I found your channel through my own crashing and burning with 1Q84. Much love x

[@paulrowe2615]

I get it. And I agree with much of it. Wind-Up Bird is still one of my all time favorites. I see him as a gateway into other postmodern, magical realist, or other Japanese fiction. Are there any other Japanese authors you’d recommend checking out? I like Kawakami and for older classics, Soseki.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

My whole website and channel are built around translated fiction, especially Japanese and Korean, so there’s a lot to check out if you have an explore :)

[@paulrowe2615]

Really amazing site. Thanks for directing me to this! Happy new year

[@lilydelacour]

Thanks for the interesting video. I only read his short story collection „After the Quake“ which was decent and mostly about the fear people struggled with after the Kobe earth quake in 1995. And I also read book 1 and 2 of 1Q84. Mostly because someone told me „It’s like a rollercoaster“ and yes I guess at some parts I wanted to vomit🫠😄. I liked some ideas of the story although I never read the last book of this trilogy. It was just too messed up for me. 😅 At first I thought everything around Aomame‘s world is changing (e.g. the guns of the police) because Tengo is changing and editing the story written by the girl and that Aomame‘s just a character inside this narrative. Was a bit disappointed that this was not true. 😅 But I also thought that his description of relationships was so bizarre and wrong to say the least…. So and now I‘m heading to your other Video about 1Q84.

[@zedohe172]

Worse part is that I still like murakami's work while knowing it is at best just awful at understanding women and at worse misogynistic. I just expect it, it takes away a lot of from it being great. Everything else i enjoy but i cringe at the portrayal of women in general. Worse part is just that no matter the readers gender u could still empathize/sympathize with the themes of his books.

[@KuehneZoneify]

I’ve never read any of his books 😅 i’ll stay with mieko kawakami

[@WillowTalksBooks]

VERY GOOD CHOICE

[@李可-z8r]

Ok first: I love the way you started the video by pouring yourself a glass haha. You handled these comments really well. Personally I quite enjoy reading Murakami but I understand the negative comments he gets. I like reading his books but mainly for Murakamis soothing, intellectual style. Which is exactly the point: Haruki Murakami does not write spectaluar, action-packed or very twisting stories, his style is what you read him for (which is amazing do not get me wrong, it's very detailed and calming). He is an artist and this is about his art.

[@XOXOLOLA100]

I think I was around the age of 14 when I read my one and only Murakami book. It was my first and my last. 😂

[@BandysBooks]

You hit the nail on the head. It’s ok to write gross, shocking or horrifying literature only for straight men. If you write it from a different or diverse perspective to provide critique of society, then how dare you?!

[@halekray]

bahahaha this video is so good, i love 1Q84 slander, thank you for this

[@WillowTalksBooks]

It was honestly my pleasure, thank you

[@bsmacutevision]

Hey I would love to see you explore some ancient Hindi literature like Mahabharat like story of Draupadi and from mythology the story of Sati. I think your will love the characters.

[@JulsOliva]

Those who pursue wisdom and strive to comprehend the world around them will always find a way to do so, while those who lack openness will often criticise the help and resources available to them. Let them be smart; you are wise! ☺

[@thebasedgodmax1163]

absolutely great video diving into one of my least favourite (if not least favourite) writers. the biggest problem with his problematic elements is that there's no hint of irony or self awareness to them. with authors like B.E. Ellis or C. Palahniuk when you read something edgy or problematic you know they're doing it because they want a reaction. Murakami writes like this because he's a misogynistic moron. or when you're reading old books you can call them outdated, but 1Q84 is like a decade old I think. great video, reminded me a lot of Hbomberguy

[@WillowTalksBooks]

The comparison to Palahniuk is really on-point here. Self m-aware and subversive vs Murakami just being a clueless misogynist. Also being compared to Hbomberguy is probably the biggest compliment I’ve ever received, thank you.