1. every time i read a Murakami book now all i can only picture the male lead as Psy (even though i know he's Korean and not Japanese..)

2. i'm beginning to notice a very consistent pattern of storyline structure between Murakami's books. i'm not saying it's a bad thing, i'm just saying it doesn't hurt to try something new. although, why change a winning formula right?

3. i thought that seeing as this was one of Murakami's first novels that got such glowing critic reviews i'd like it much more than Dance, Dance, Dance... i was wrong.

4. whilst i enjoyed this book story #2 dragged a little for me and that's where i started to struggle. once malta and creta were introduced it got a little bit odd (and murakami's books are odd enough as it is which doesn't usually bother or affect me in the slightest..)

5. i was overjoyed when ushikawa appeared in this book... it reminded me of my wonderful 1Q84 experience.

so in short, enjoyed the beginning and the end, but the middle just dragged a little too much for me. it was odd but not so odd that i didn't not enjoy it because i certainly did. i just assumed i would enjoy it much more... still love ya haruki..