I was excited to read this book after thoroughly enjoying the other two Murakami books I had recently read. Unfortunately, overall I didn’t enjoy this as much. Unlike Kafka by the Shore, this book was a lot more conventional, and lacked any sort of magic or mystery. It was essentially a coming of age story writing with a love triangle, against the backdrop of a completely useless flashback.
I found the characters similar to those in Kafka by the Shore. They were quiet, strange, vulgar and made some nonsensical decisions, however against a realistic backdrop I had far less patience of this absurdity. Sure some of this is undoubtedly because many of the characters are young and finding themselves. I know 20 year olds take themselves too seriously and I shouldn’t expect them to make logical choices – but the lack of support around these people was crazy. No sensible parents, friends or institutions to guide them? Any of them?
The biggest clue that I didn’t enjoy this book was the fact I took a three-week break, I should have known. I found the shock-value suicides and sexual descriptions to be over the top and offer little to the story except to force character decisions, rather than encourage true growth, or to keep readers hooked.
ehhere 
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