murakami has a sort of hold on me, in that no matter how many times i've read his works - leaving me mystified, offended, and stunned, i inevitably find myself reaching for his work. 

this was an experience. a sad one in totality. growing pains with difficult experiences makes for a devastating story. add to that murakami's unrelenting sex scenes bordering on erotica completes the horny depressed teen kit.

everyone dies.