A New York Times bestselling author—and “a mythmaker for the millennium, a wiseacre wiseman” (New York Times Book Review)—delivers a surreal and elaborate quest that takes readers from Tokyo to the remote mountains of northern Japan, where the unnamed protagonist has a surprising confrontation with his demons. An advertising executive receives a postcard from a friend and casually appropriates the image for an advertisement. What he doesn’t realize is that included in the scene is a mutant sheep with a star on its back, and in using this photo he has unwittingly captured the attention of a man who offers a menacing ultimatum: find the sheep or face dire consequences.
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"Murakami has yet to disappoint me. While this book isn't the masterpiece that Kafka on the Shore or The Wind Up Bird Chronicles is, it still charmed me with its casually reality-bending story. Murakami consistently reaches past the intellect and speak to some other part of the psyche. I am anxiously awaiting the publication of the English-language version of his latest."
— Delacey (5 out of 5 stars)
" it was inventive and made me keep reading...Murakami has a great imagination. "
— John, 2/11/2014" Interesting read, but a bit hard to follow and convoluted. I like this writer, but would recommend other books of his before this one. "
— Christy, 1/22/2014" For some reason I did not particulary like this one of Murakami... "
— Michiel, 1/18/2014" Call me superficial, but I prefer the more accesible books by this 'Japanese Kafka' "
— Eline, 1/14/2014" So very odd and intriguing. My first Murakami, but very refreshing. Loved its quirkiness. "
— Amanda, 1/7/2014" wow it got better and better and had a perfect ending. "
— Toni, 1/2/2014" The book that made Murakami Murakami. Cats, ear fetishism, chain smoking, drinking, lots of sex, surreal dream sequences; it's all here. "
— Zack, 12/20/2013" freaky freaky: a hotel, another dimension, a sheepman and again a guy lost in the anonymity of a city, dealing with his lack of commitment... great book "
— Michaela, 11/25/2013" It took me forever to read this, but I did it. Used to his shtick by now, but I'm still laughing. An especially redemptive end after a tedious beginning. "
— Luis, 11/20/2013" This book is filled with metaphor and aphorisms; very beautifully written. I love the symbolism and the pacing. "
— Sid, 11/3/2013" Interesting, to say the least "
— Kate, 9/29/2013" the town belonged to the river from the very beginning, it would always be that way... "
— Alisan, 9/27/2013" Read this at the New River Gorge in between climbs and in our tent at night. I need to get my hands on the first two books in the trilogy. "
— e., 11/23/2012" really enjoyable read and utterly unique! "
— Ella, 11/7/2012" Another pleasantly weird, quirky and witty book from Murakami. "
— Wendy, 9/26/2012" I picked up this book to listen to while I was exercising. It turned out to be really interesting! I really liked the writing style. Now I look for other things he has written. "
— Linda, 9/13/2012" It started weird, meaning it was too normal. The things got weird and the book felt normal Murakami again. "
— Gianfranco, 7/7/2012" The one to start with. I've since read the rest of his fiction too. This is the one I recommend to folks new to his work. Follow with Dance, Dance, Dance. One of a kind, Murakami is. "
— John, 6/8/2012" My absolute favourite by this author. A disturbing paranormal tale of a quest for a very special sheep, and an amazing portrait of a classic male Murakami protagonist. "
— Jens, 12/26/2011" This book is a modern classic! I found it in 2006 and have read it several times since. A weird, yet harmonious mixture of student novel, crime story and phantasy. Thrilling, deep and highly addictive. The best Murakami I have read. "
— Sven, 11/5/2011" A great detective story, colourful characters, a good pace to the plot, and a dose or two of surrealistic nonsense. I thought it was brilliant. "
— Caley, 7/4/2011" This may have been one of the strangest books I read, and I don't necessarily understand it, but I did really enjoy the dreamlike style & was intrigued by the weird plot. "
— Emily, 5/23/2011" Fantastic book from start to finish. The author brings out the mindset of the unnamed main character on everything he comes cross and his perception of the people around him. "
— Austin, 5/22/2011" This may be the best written book ever.....I'm afraid that I was not prepared for it and didn't get to enjoy it like I should. Perhaps when I am ready , I will go back and read it again. ( This is not a sarcastic review at all. It's the best way I can describe this book) "
— Timothy, 4/26/2011" Interesting read, but a bit hard to follow and convoluted. I like this writer, but would recommend other books of his before this one. "
— Christy, 4/23/2011" Best 50c I ever spent.<br/><br/>Nice and complicated with enough ridiculous situations and characters to keep you totally hooked "
— Levi, 4/18/2011" My first Murakami book, and to date, my favorite. :) "
— Beth, 4/13/2011" Murakami continues to impress me- definitely worth checking out "
— Clark, 4/11/2011" Wow! This book is everything I like about Murakami: Extremely descriptive, an almost dream-like narrative, and wacky/unique characters. :) Also, I never knew learning about sheep could be so interesting! I look forward to reading the 4th book of the series Dance, Dance, Dance. "
— Xavier, 4/9/2011Haruki Murakami is a Japanese author of fiction and nonfiction works. His books and stories have been bestsellers in Japan as well as internationally, with his novel Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage topping the New York Times bestsellers list in 2014. His work has been translated into more than fifty languages. Murakami is the recipient of numerous awards, including the World Fantasy Award, the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award, the Franz Kafka Prize, and the Jerusalem Prize.
Rupert Degas is an award-winning narrator and a 2022 recipient of the AudioFile Golden Voice Award. He has won numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards, has recorded the works of Peter Carey, Haruki Murakami, Andy McNab, Darren Shan, and Derek Landy, among others. He has also recorded over fifty radio productions including The Gemini Apes, The Glittering Prizes, This Sceptered Isle, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. He has appeared on film and television in Dead Romantic, EastEnders, Waiting for God, Passport to Murder, Over Here, Fatherland, The Cappuccino Years, Exorcist: The Beginning, Love Soup and Shoot the Messenger. He has also lent his voice to numerous animated films and series including Mr. Bean, Bob the Builder, Robotboy, and The Amazing World of Gumball. Along with several stints in Newsrevue at the Canal Café Theatre and in Edinburgh, he has appeared on the London stage in The Boys Next Door, Are We There Yet?, Becket, Stones in His Pockets, and Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of The 39 Steps. He lives in Sydney, Australia.