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My friend to me - "wow you're the first person I know who is angry after reading Murakami". I suggest you stop reading this if you don't want spoilers, or you really love Murakami/this book.

My first impression when I began this book was that Murakami isn't a nice person.

As I got further along in the book I added that he obviously doesn't care what you, reader, think about him either.

My main issue now that I have consolidated my thoughts, is his horrible female characters. (yes, the females. Who cares about Hajime really? Murakami writes that Hajime knows what a worthless excuse of life he himself is, excuses about being an only child notwithstanding.)

Don't kid yourself - Shimamoto isn't some beautiful sphinx. She is basically manic pixie girl. But of course since she gets a chance to return later in the story the author had to make her more than that, so - manic pixie girl with a death wish and who could be also the protagonist's angel of death.

How romantic.

The other female characters are basically empty shells, literary devices for protagonist's journey of self discovery. Which, when you get to the end, he doesn't even get anywhere. So, what was the point of this book?

His wife, the only real 'good' person in this story, the protagonist only discovers actually had a life and feelings (which could be hurt) after years of marriage through his father in law, of all persons. However Murakami negates whatever saintliness being a mother has given her by having her admit to her husband that she too gave up her dreams and basically, is an empty shell like he is. No wonder Hajime felt a connection to her from the start.

Couple that with Shimamoto and Hajime admitting that they are no longer special, "only children" becoming the norm in Japan as the years pass (their excuse for being different or perverse contrast to what is socially acceptable in society) - why do they want to end their lives? Cos they no longer can justify their special license for being social misfits.

This isn't the first book I have read about how futile human existence is, but when you have an unlikeable protagonist whose contempt and lack of respect of women transcends all else, I am not sure where I am supposed to derive any joy out of this humourless, souless (like Shimamoto's eyes) book. Never mind the pathetic pop references and music.