If it's possible to be in love with a book, then I can safely say that I am.

My Japanese friend says the book in English is nothing compared to what it is in its original language. She had read it in high school, and says that as much as she loved it, it's not even up there with the other required readings, most of which are so perfect that no one has attempted to translate the texts. It's intellectually intimidating.

Is Japanese literature not one of the finest?

Apparently this was first published in 1987 and it was written for the Japanese only, and the newest edition is the 2nd translation by Jay Rubin, who I think did a pretty good job, but you can't really say these things if you're not a native speaker.

I hate novels that revolve around love and its boring clichés, but this is most definitely an exception. Read it.

Oh I LOVE this book. Everyone should read it if they haven't already. This and South of the Border, West of the Sun too. Norweigian Wood has the best description of love in it that I have ever read. Like a strawberry shortcake that you either devour or throw to the floor. Murakami is one of my all time favorite novelists!

I completely agree.

Japanese lit. is most definitely superior. You should read Out, tis good

Yeah? Who's it by and what's it about?

I was planning on reading this after I finish "Kafka on the Shore"

I love Japanese literature! I read quite a few, but my favourite has always been Yukio Mishima, especially his "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion". It's an absolutely beautiful novel!
However I never read anything by Murakami, mainly due to the fact that everybody loves him and he is part of the pop-culture.

I keep hearing though that Norwegian Wood is really good, and I've been told several times (by the people who's opinion I respect) that I should give it a go, so probably I will.