I had to sit with this one for a while, and since read other Murakami. 

I think my main issue with his writing is very noticeable in this particular story - I am not the first to bring up that his misogyny runs rampant through his works. The fact that this whole novel surrounds the relationship between the main character and his relationship with a woman, the narrator is constantly speaking about or to this woman. The language used is unpleasant to say the least. Murakami excels at writing about the surreal and the bizarre. This particular story doesn't involve enough of that surrealism to make up for the misogynistic language. 

This book left me feeling icky. No other word for it. Not in a good way, not in a, "wow this book really affected me," way. Just icky. 

If you are looking for a better Murakami read I'd recommend Kafka by the Shore.