A review by emlntz
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

4.0

This was the first Murakami book I've read, after wanting to read his work for a while. It did take me a few attempts to become invested in this book. No indictment on the book, perhaps more indicative of the fact that I hadn't read anything as slowly unravelling or obscure for a while.

I have come to love Murakami for what I think this book did particularly well: unravel from the mundane to the surreal with straightforward language. I find it incredibly charming the ease with which seemingly simple characters embrace the world of mystery and surrealism, pursuing fantastical lines of reasoning with unquestioning acceptance. This is what I have come to expect and love about Murakami.

I find Murakami's writing deeply refreshing in that it conveys complex ideas with great simplicity and charm.

Also who could hate the frequent cameos of talking cats.

Having read a few Murakami books now, this one wasn't my favourite but it also was a great entry to the world of his writing.