excellent however a bit drawn out. The portion set in mongolia is perhaps the best story I have ever read. ( )

It is strange how this book took my atention from the very beginning. Its about the life of Toru Okada when some bizarre events start to happen. It's difficult to tell if each passage is an illusion or a dream, or if it is really happening, and this is the most exciting thing in the book to me. Some may say it leaves a lot untold, but my opinion is that it is the author's style, to let the reader image. The war narratives were the best parts in my opinion. They are so detailed, sound so real. ( )

My review is here: http://moosplace.blogspot.com/2009/01... ( )

This is by far Murakami's best book. Its rich with characters and plot! It is layered in so many ways and dreamlike in its descriptions. A must read for all readers!! ( )

Murakami is world famous for his story-telling and prose, his metaphysical realities and the way he plays with concepts, roles, characters and places. I’ve now read three of his books and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s some of the most cleverly written rubbish I’ve ever experienced.

I did enjoy some bits. The opening chapter and the narrative of Mamiya’s experiences in WW2 simply because that’s a period of history I know something about from a Japanese perspective. Er… that’s it.

As there was in Kafka on the Shore, there’s more gore and sex. There’s more psychosis and mystical spirituality. There’s more parallel story-telling and worlds within worlds.

What there isn’t more of is any meaning or clarity.

I was advised by someone called Fiver in a comment on my Kafka review that I should be reading for themes and then it would make more sense. I listened humbly to Fiver despite them taking me for a bit of a literary plonker as I listened to this book and found that yep, there were indeed tons of themes.

There’s the reccuring well theme, themes based on wartime experience, going through walls, dreams, sexual fantasies, marriage/relationships, cats (again!), jealousy, politics…. Great. So, I’ve got a list of themes Fiver, now what?

If the point in writing is simply to be read, he’s a genius. If it is to engage the reader’s life (not just their mind or imagination) and leave them different for the reading, he’s a failure.

This is on the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list. Well, quite frankly, I’d die happy if I didn’t read any more of him. ( )