Often described as Japan's enfant terrible (though I'm never quite sure I understand what is meant by the term and I'm not sure that those who use it are actually that sure either) Ryu Murakami's books take everyday situations and twist them in often scary and violent ways.
This novel though has much quieter and straightforward book being more a fictionalised biographyl. A writer looks back over his formative year, a year in which he turned 17 and began to push the boundaries of his society.
An enjoyable easy de-stress read.