NP: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

[kelber at mindspring.com]

Just finished reading "the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle," by Haruki Murakami.  When I was asking for reading suggestions a while back, a number of people on this list recommended it.  Also, the blurb on the back of the book compared it to Pynchon.  I have to say, I was really disappointed.  Aside from some historical flashbacks (which were the best part of the book) and a vague atmosphere of conspiracy, there was nothing Pynchonesque about it.  The writing was minimalist and the characters and conspiracy elements got way too close to being merely cute (ick).  The most telling difference:  it's easy to imagine this as a flick; extremely difficult for Pynchon's work.

Just curious to hear why people like this book so much.

Laura