I recently finished this book, and I must say that overall I was quite impressed. The story grabbed my attention even from the first chapter and I thoroughly enjoyed each of the alternating story lines. The action in no way detracts from the compelling post-modern manifesto, and visa-versa. While I don’t believe that such a state of dual-consciousness is possible, it is at the least interesting, if hypothetical, food for thought.

As compelling as your argument may be, I must disagree. The duality of the plot led to a rather irritating sense of urgency. In my opinion, the primary narrator’s analysis of the secondary narrator’s motives was the most compelling part of the novel.

I still have not had time to read this – and I want to be able to fully immerse myself in the experience and take my time while doing so.

Once I finish my latest research project I will do and am looking forward to it. Although the Japanese literary establishment criticizes Murakami of being ‘pop’ – I find that the accessibility of his narrative combined his profoundly labyrinthine ideas is precisely what makes his writing so special.

I have yet to read or even hear of this.

Sounds interesting though. And I’m being serious, not “ZOMG LUK HAO SMRATE I AMZ”.

EDIT: Also I haven’t really read much since I read through the Song of Fire and Ice series so far. 4k+ Pages burned me out for a bit. I read the Black Jewels trilogy at the prompting of my grandmother recently, however, and since it was only around 1k pages it required only a couple of days of ittermittent reading. It was good, but obviously written by a deranged feminazi.