I'm generally more of a fan of Murakami's realist narratives more than his fantasy elements. This book starts very realist and slowly adds some unusual aspects. In the last third, though, it gets a little too fantasy-heavy for my tastes. Like Kafka on the Shore, there are two separate stories going on at the same time, alternating chapters. Still, it's a compelling story, and for most of the book, the 1100+ page length didn't seem imposing at all. It moves quickly and there's a lot of suspense.
2.5 stars. Line to line this has some typical strong Hemingway writing, but as a whole it has none of what makes Hemingway's best works special. A disappointment.
I enjoyed this. It's mostly set in 1958 in Belgium at the Expo 58. Coe's typical mix of humor and drama plus a splash of spy elements.
A classic that I finally read. The title is accurate. It is one day in his life. It shows how difficult life was in the Russian labor camps, and how miserable everyone must have been. Interesting, but short story, that makes you amazed that anyone had the strength to make it through those experiences.
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