The best summation of Murakami's talents? - Rated 
`Dance Dance Dance' is probably the ideal place for any Murakami novice to start as it is a compelling summation of the author's singular moods and preoccupations. It combines some of the themes of grief, loss and memory of novels like `Norweigan Wood', but less oppressively so, and the surreal metaphysical mysteries of `The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle'. The blurb quotes a reviewer from the Observer claiming similarities to Raymond Chandler and Blade Runner but this seems to be lazy journalistic shorthand. In reality, Murakami might be better described as a mish-mash of David Lynch's metaphysical detective stories (particularly Twin Peaks, which this pre-dates slightly) and Bret Easton Ellis' numbing vision of contemporary pop and consumer culture. Moreover, there is something unmistakably Murakami about his writing that makes him a singular reading experience. This is a sad, funny and at times frightening novel, not to mention a real page-turner. Recommended.
Rain Check - Rated 
Having been increasingly disappointed by Murakami's more recent works (especially After Dark, a Murakami by numbers exercise and the reviews of the German translation of his 'Marathon' book aren't too promising either) I turned to one of the few early novels I hadn't read so far. Was the prequel 'A Wild Sheep Chase' extraordinary in subject matter, style and drama I am somewhat left deflated by 'Dance Dance Dance'. In contrast to other reviewers I believe it to be necessary to have read Sheep Chase to at least get some 'meaning' out of Dance. I have long since given up on a point in Murakami's books but this one comes across lost and warbling.
However, and this is what the 3 stars are for, it is, like all his books, a page turner. This will seem a contradiction to what was just said, and I really do not know how he does it, but his style is so smooth and likable that even when one ends up thinking 'so what for crying out loud?' one still wants to finish the book.
If you have never read Murakami, try Sheep Chase first, then the outstanding Hard- Boiled Wonderland, then Wind-up Bird. In my opinion that's all you ever have to read by this author, but those books will stay with you for a very long and happy time.
Joy, joy, joy - Rated 
I'd have to agree with a reviewer below - you fall in love with Murakami's writing as soon as you read it. Kafka was my first read too, and I think it's safe to say I'm going to buy the lot and try my very best to read them as slowly as possible...I'm not even sure there's a way to praise his writing. Just read it.
Poor, poor, poor - Rated 
I tried to read this offering on the strength of some unnamed reviewer from a British newspaper likening its author to Raymond Chandler. Oh, and someone from an equally soporific title, referring to Murakami as the world's greatest novelist or such like hyperbole. I have been reading and writing for years, and I consider myself to be a good judge of good and bad prose. Murakami's writing is boring and repetitive; at the end of every page I exclaimed: "And?" His figures of speech are sloppy, and his dialogue is wooden and pointless. I suppose the reviews are to be expected in a world in which a sheep dipped in formaldehyde is upheld as an artistic masterpiece.
Murakami could not lace Chandler's boots.
True Originality - Rated
Murakami in my opinion is one of the greatest living writers and Dance Dance Dance is no exception. In a similair fashion to a lot of his books we are on a journey of self discovery with the main character. There is philosophy, mystery, comedy, surrealism, and a the heart a great story (that I do not want to spoil). This is a follow up to "A Wild Sheep Chase" however it really isn't important what you read first. I would say that this is a much better novel that "Sheep Chase". Somehow Murakami is able to pull you into his stories with such a spell, that you feel everything is happening to you.
His books also inspire me to enjoy all the details of life.
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