astrangerhere's Reviews (1.31k)

I normally try to read authors chronologically, but feel that I saved myself from missing a great author by not having done so here. If I had read this first, I would likely never have picked up Murakami again. The style and substance are similar to what I've grown to love from Haruki-san, but it was all very blunted and heavy-handed.

The characters were a little flat and the plot was almost too convoluted, even for Murakami. I think I appreciate it more for what it promises for his later works rather than the novel itself.