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Murakami himself said that his writing career really only began with A Wild Sheep Chase, and I can see why.

While his first two novels aren't "bad" per se (although I guess this is a rather subjective take), they do lack in certain areas. What A Wild Sheep Chase does better than its predecessor(s), is the fact that it has a more solid structure. It follows a clear plot (although one could argue as to how "clear" it is, since it does occasionally venture into the surreal) which makes it possible for the reader to get more invested in the story.

In my review, I compared Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973 to Hopper Paintings, due to the melancholy, detached feeling that those novels conveyed to me. A Wild Sheep Chase feels more like a shabby hotel lobby to me. Why? Honestly, I'm not so sure. Maybe because this book just feels like it would make for a perfect travel companion, because a) it makes you want to go out and Experience Things and b) it follows two people who go on a rather crazy adventure (a wild sheep chase, if you will) and I'd imagine it would be great to read on the go. A Wild Sheep Chase does not stay in the same place, and it almost dares you to get up and go do some exploring - or perhaps discovering? - of your own.

The writing, once again, really worked for me here. I love the way Murakami portrays alienation in his characters, as it's something I can somehow relate to. [Side note, characters in Japanese literature generally seem to have a bit more of a "skewed" perception of reality (at least that's what I've gathered so far) and I think that's why it almost always works for me.]

I also loved the settings in this book, especially the semi-closed setting at the end (which I cannot talk about due to spoilers) and whenever I pick up my copy of A Wild Sheep Chase I find myself transported back, if only temporarily, to those places. It's incredible how vivid they still appear in my mind. Murakami definitely knows how to create atmosphere with his settings.

Now, you may be thinking: Why is this weirdo (me) praising this book so much, yet she's still giving it "only" 3.5 stars?

Do not fret, my friend.

Here is what I didn't like about this book:

There is one thing in literature that I dislike above everything. Yes, even above annoying characters, and slow pacing, and the miscommunication trope. I hate it even more than the sentence "She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in". (Yes, I went there.)

The thing is.... I don't like being confused.

Especially when I know I'm not supposed to be confused.

As in, technically everything is supposed to at least kind of make sense, but my head for some reason just WILL NOT wrap its silly little mind around it. And what's worst of all? I know it's probably my fault (and that is pretty much unacceptable, for I am not supposed to feel shitty about myself. I'm soooooo great actually. Nothing should EVER be My Fault, you know?)

Somehow, I couldn't quite follow this book at times, and I feel like a lot of things are still lost to me, making the plot a fragmented, half-formed thing. Again, this is not the books fault, but entirely mine - I'm sure it makes sense to the general audience, (or at least they are aware of what is supposed to make sense and what isn't) - and I'm the one at fault here.

Sucks to say, but it is what it is.

Amen.

Conclusion (TLDR):

I really liked A Wild Sheep Chase! And the crazy part is that I feel like the more time passes, the more I like this book (which is an incredibly rare and thoroughly welcome phenomenon, if you ask me). I already want to reread this novel, because I think I might actually fall in love with it if I just gather all of the things I missed the first time and put them into place.

I'm excited to read Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World next month!

Well, that's all I have to say.

Thank you for reading!

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PROJECT MURAKAMI:

I have decided to read every novel that Haruki Murakami has ever written, in chronological order (yes, even after what happened with Kafka on the Shore*....). I read roughly one book per month and then summarize all of my thoughts in reviews like these.

Ratings & Reviews:

1) Hear the Wind Sing & Pinball, 1973 ★★½

2) A Wild Sheep Chase ★★★�

3) Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World ★★�
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*Basically, I posted an obviously satirical rant on how gross I think milk is and thousands of people took it a little too seriously and brutally murdered me in an Instagram comment section. (). Sometimes I lie awake at night thinking about how someone said I probably have weak bones...