hey has anyone read any of his stuff? he's supposed to be really popular worldwide. i guess he's the biggest japanese author and he's pretty big across europe as well. his last book, kafka on the shore, was in the top 10 in the uk so he must be. anyways, 'norwegian wood' and 'sputnik sweetheart' are great books and right now i'm reading 'hard boiled wonderland and the end of the world' and its really great. his short stories are amazing as well. his stories are always being published by the new yorker.

heres his amazon.com search listings.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/103-4752996-7743840?search-alias=aps&keywords=haruki%20murakami

I read A Wild Sheep Chase, it was enjoyable. Good prose and a satisfying read despite parts of it being boring. I need to check out Wind Up Bird Chronicles, supposedly that's his best.

i read a couple of his short stories:

On seeing the 100% perfect girl one beautiful April morning
In the Year of Spaghetti
Ice Man
A Shinagawa Monkey

i liked them all, and i totally LOVED "in the year of spaghetti".

also: i saw a movie: Tony Takitani based on one of his short stories. it's awesome and i highy recommend it... to those that like calm and attentive and person-oriented and subdued cinematography.

(good lord this smiley sucks)