No.

Absolutely not.

I now live in terror of anyone who gave this book more than 1 star.

Where to even begin?

The main character of this book - if he can even be called a character when for the vast majority of the book his internal thoughts and emotional journey are entirely absent, leaving the reader to wonder whether he is, in fact, a human being - is alarmingly callous, misogynistic, and dull. Yet, somehow, he is regarded by all other characters as kind, thoughtful, and incredibly interesting. The only explanation I can think of for this response from the other (notably female) characters is that he is the most painfully obvious author-insert wish-fulfillment vehicle ever written. This makes everything else about what happens in the book that much more alarming.

Because, if one is reading this as an exercise in wish-fulfillment, then the harborer of those wishes must be Murakami himself. And if that is, in fact, the case, then I am terrified.

The main character, who is largely incapable of thoughts or feelings (or at least those are not shared with the reader if he possesses them), when he does have a thought, it is about a woman's body/beauty. And when he does have a feeling, it's about wanting to use that beauteous body for his own sexual satisfaction.

This is ostensibly a tragic love story, but the main character does not reflect on any part of the person who is the object of his love and desire OTHER than her physical appearance. He believes that he is being faithful to her because his numerous other sexual encounters mean nothing to him. So, the fact that he treats a great many other women as objects is meant to redeem these exploits because he's not been emotionally unfaithful? What a guy!

There are numerous other DEEPLY troubling passages, conversations, scenes, and acts in the book, which are spoilery for the plot. But I hope you do not ever learn what they are because to learn of them you would have to read the book, which I sincerely wish to discourage you from ever doing.

The fact that this book is as lauded as it is will be keeping me up at night for some time.

I simply can't put it into words! The allure of this book is so intense that I have this wild urge to inhale its pages, crush them into powder, and snort them right up my nose. I yearn to have it placed directly into my brain, into my very bloodstream! Murakami's words have such an effect on me that it's like I'm Nicole Kidman in that famous scene from Moulin Rouge. There she is, rolling around on that luxurious fur rug, clad in her negligee, moaning and writhing in pure pleasure, exclaiming 'Yes! Yes! Dirty words! More! More! Naughty words!' However, Murakami's words aren't really naughty and dirty in the traditional sense. Instead, they are prismatic and mysterious, like a kaleidoscope of emotions and ideas. I truly wish I could take his sentences and weave them into a rug so that I could roll around on it, completely immersed in their magical and mystical charm. They have the power to break my heart and yet, at the same time, fill it with a strange kind of joy.

It's a feeling that's difficult to describe, but it's one that keeps drawing me back to his books, over and over again.

Before writing a detailed review (something that usually doesn't happen), I want to say that Murakami is a more talented and profound writer in his novels, especially this one. So, here's what I think.

Murakami's works have always had a unique charm. His writing style is both mysterious and engaging, drawing readers into a world that is both familiar and strange. In this particular novel, he展现s his extraordinary storytelling ability once again.

The plot is complex and multi-layered, filled with unexpected twists and turns. It explores themes such as love, loss, identity, and the meaning of life. Through the eyes of the protagonist, we are taken on a journey of self-discovery and exploration.

The characters in the novel are well-developed and vivid. Each one has their own unique personality and story, and they all contribute to the overall richness of the narrative. The relationships between the characters are also细腻 and真实, adding an extra layer of depth to the story.

Overall, I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves good literature. It is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will stay with you long after you have finished it.