The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle Review

This was my first Murikami book and I was blown away.  My friend lent it to me (about a year ago) and I couldn't put it down for the whole weekend (about 600 pages, but don't let it scare you).  I have ravenously read every other book of his since then.

I have been informed by my cousin, who is fluent in Japanese, that much of the humor and insight is lost in the translation--even so this book is deeply affecting. 

His characters are so real and so fantastic at the same time; psychic prostitute sisters, the sexy Lolita-esque neighbor, the innocent and charming main character with impeccable taste in music. 

Murikami's writing is beyond classification or comparison--that's why I am having such a hard time with this review.  I'm always disoriented and disappointed when I leave one of Murikami's books and come back to this world.