I typically don't like excessively long narrative, especially by an unreliable narrator, and this book is that in spades. But it's FUN, especially if you grew up in the 80s.

The pop culture references are relentless and never-ending, and I imagine they must be exhausting for someone who doesn't get any, many or most of them. The problem with this nostalgia overkill is that it hits a saturation point where it becomes pedestrian, and at times it completely misses the mark. (Such as a character liking everything, just so Cline can include everything, or having a Japanese character use the term seppuku incorrectly.)

The writing is not-great-not-terrible, kind of like a "What I did on my summer vacation" essay. But the story is entertaining and well-paced, even if it becomes a little repetitive and thus predictable.

I'm no doubt biased because it's packed full of stuff I grew up playing, reading and listening to.