What a Great Pomo Novel

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
In number9dream, David Mitchell as much as admits that Norwegian Wood was the inspiration for his novel. I can see why. This is probably the most powerful and elegantly told novel of its kind short of The Catcher in the Rye. Major themes include death, isolation, and absence, but also devotion and love. It may be "just a love story" as some complain, but it is the most interesting and fascinating love story and postmodern coming of age tale I have ever read. I love this book.