Please don't let this be your first Murakami novel!!

I've become a huge fan of Murakami's magical realism and was hesitant to read Norwegian Wood, because it's his most real novel. But, it's also what put him on the map as an author - so I found it important to read to understanding his work. I was honestly right to have been hesitant... This book pales in comparison to anything else of his I've read. 

I found the characters (especially Toru) to be whiney and self-loathing, and extremely irritating. His interpretation of all the women in the book is appalling, sexist and repetitive.

The only redeeming quality of this book was how well it was written, but let's not forget - it's Murakami, of course it's well written. I will gladly stick with the fantastical plots of his other works, and leave this overly dramatic realistic nightmare behind.