NORWEGIAN WOOD (Haruki Murakami) - January 19/13

I guess I'm a little conflicted about this one. I found it really difficult to get into and there were many stretches that just seemed to drag. But I really found myself sympathizing with the central character and his subdued exploits. It doesn't hurt, either, that Murakami has packed the narrative with memorable asides and segues, including the circumstances leading to a side character's mental breakdown (ie the 13-year-old lesbian encounter). So yeah, I enjoyed it and admired it but I don't think I can say I loved it. *** out of ****