Why I recommend this — 3 years ago
Murakami is one of the world’s greatest living writers. Being Japanese, he isn’t that widely read here. This is his masterpiece, a dense interweaving of contemporary and historic events, partly a commentary on Japan’s role in WWII, partly…well, just imaginative and involving. He uses elements of magical realism, but more soberly than some Latin writers. His characters move through the mundane world and almost real worlds and quite imaginary ones seamlessly, carrying you with them on a journey that touches on everything from the fleeting and personal to greater truths. Honestly, it’s great stuff.
