I finished this a few weeks ago. It was my first Murakami novel, and I’m already well into my second. In other words, I’ve become quite a fan.
I think my favorite thing about Murakami’s work is the way he can manipulate mood and tone so carefully, something which I admire in many of my favorite authors. In Murakami’s case, though, it’s also notable that he does this almost irrespective of plot – he can write something as nondescript as, say, a guy walking down the street as the saddest or the most exciting thing in the world. It’s great stuff.