Norwegian Wood

I love Murakami's writing style - his descriptions, symbolism, the philosophical dialogs, the way he handles serious themes (existence, innocence, love, death) and his jazz and literary references. There was only one character in the book that annoyed me somewhat. I want to blame it on Murakami's lack of first-hand experience with the sort of problems the character had, but maybe its my own. All his other characters were perfect in their imperfections and totally relatable. The story itself was hauntingly beautiful.

This is a really interesting book. It's unusual. Most of it is just dialogue where characters deal with the tragedies of life in conversations that seem unrealistically uninhibited.

The author seems to be presenting a critique of the facade most people offer up in their everyday interactions. Instead, he's saying that people should be genuine, open and honest with each other, and open and honest with themselves. It's really a fantastic and beautiful sentiment.