Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami

Killing Commendatore is a novel about a portrait painter in Tokyo who is abandoned by his wife and finds himself staying in the home of a famous artist, Tomohiko Amada.

While there, he discovers a previously unseen painting in the attic, which leads to a series of mysterious events. The book explores themes of art, identity, and the role of the artist in society.

What I Liked

I really don’t know – I’ve read every book that Murakami has written and I still can’t put my finger on why. There’s something – it’s a weird mix of setting, character, and something that draws me to read all of his books. Same with this one. It’s brilliant, but strange.

What I Did Not Like

Ok. Murakami is weird. Like really, really weird. I don’t think I can recommend any of his books to anyone. So, I don’t like that. But I also don’t think he can be any less weird without losing some of his books’ magic (they do a lot of magical realism anyway).

Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami

$13.95

In Killing Commendatore, Haruki Murakami tells the story of a portrait painter in Tokyo who, after being left by his wife, finds himself in the home of a renowned artist. There, he discovers a hidden painting that sparks a series of strange events, touching on themes of art and identity. Personally, I find Murakami's work captivating, even if I can’t quite explain why. It's brilliant yet undeniably odd. I struggle to recommend his books due to their peculiar nature, but I can't help but feel that his weirdness is part of what makes them so enchanting.

Pros:

• The novel has a brilliant and strange quality that draws me to Murakami's work.
• It explores deep themes of art, identity, and the role of the artist.
• The setting and characters create a unique reading experience.

Cons:

• Murakami's weirdness makes it hard to recommend his books to others.
• His odd style might alienate some readers.
• There are no other notable cons.

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01/20/2025 10:42 pm GMT