After reading Norwegian Wood I thought I'd never pick up another Murakami book, but I am glad I decided to give Kafka a try. Although, admittedly, this book still suffers the usual Murakami-isms - I found the story and the characters much more multi-dimensional and actually likeable. A surreal story for sure, but that's what I like about a lot of Japanese fiction is the surrealism they excel so greatly at. 

I'd definitely recommend Kafka by the Shore.