This novel took me for freaking ever to read. I think I started it in August? Yeah. I just finished it. Mostly because much of the book is about dreams, I think. It made me sleepy. Not that it was poorly written, not at all. The dreams were just so mysterious and sensual that it made me want to try too.

Mostly what I loved about this book was the theme that very small acquaintances can have an impact on who you are as a person, on your future. I like that. Something about knowing that the guy who does your dry cleaning or the hot dog saleslady or the crossing guard or whoever, they have a purpose in your life. It could be very small, but years from now you could remember what you said, or what was playing on the radio and... All these things together add up to be a little part of who you are. I think that's beautiful.

And love, there's some love in the book. Some love that lasts, so that's always nice.

I ended up learning a good deal about Japanese war history which I wasn't really prepared for, but enjoyed.

Wind-up Bird Chronicle creates this really intricate web of science fictiony mystery that I totally dig. The way small particles are revealed and the tangents that spring off of them aren't annoying, though they are time consuming. At it's conclusion, you really feel like you have accomplished something, right along with the protagonist, solved the mystery. "Chronicle" is a perfect way to put it.

Hooray for wind-up birds and small details and strangers that are a part of our lives in their own little ways and taking time to shut yourself in a small room in the dark and just think....and think and think.... Until you figure something out.

I want to read more Murakami. Most certainly.