two things:

1. idk if it's just me being overly sensitive but it kinda irked me how the female characters were written in this book, and espcially how the male characters reacted to them. then again this book was written a long time ago, and is also set during the late 60s, so i guess i'll let it slide. just thought i'd mention it because??? these men treat the women like objects, dear god.

2. i'm too dumb for murakami!!!!! his writing is beautiful and alluring and always interesting but i feel like i'm always just guessing what all his metaphors mean lol i wish i could take a class on his works tbh. i feel like understanding them better would make me appreciate them more

NEVERTHELESS this was quite the read. coming-of-age is truly the best literary genre, hands down. and this one--well, murakami captures the aimlessness, confusion, and bone-deep loneliness that people around my age have experienced, are experiencing, and will one day experience. coming-of-age woes are truly universal.
(despite some of his ~questionable~ behavior, i did end up getting very attached to our toru watanabe. he reminds me of me, in a way. he's just trying his best.)