It's interesting reading Murakami's short stories. They are like individual dreams that you wake up with before you want to. At least that's how I often feel. But then even his longer works tend to finish before I want them to.
This collection is interesting, because it has some of his earliest stories as well as his latest stories. Most of the time it is easy to figure out which is which. His later work is much more polished than the earlier work.
My favorite works in this collection are "Tony Takitani," "Chance Traveler," "The Kidney Shaped Stone That Moves Every Day" and "A Shinagawa Monkey."
I've read through all of Murakami's fiction that have been translated into English. My favorite novels were Norwegian Wood and Kafka on the Shore.
Now to figure out something new to read.
Oddly enough, I just loaded up on a few more Murakamis that I haven't read yet. Norwegian Wood was the first of his novels that I read, and that got me into his others. Can't say I liked Kafka on the Shore all that much, though.
Seems interesting. Will take a look.
Murakami is one of my favourite authors. I love his short stories, but hadn't heard of this collection - must look out for it. Have you seen the film of Tony Takitani?
This collection just came out in the States at the end of August. I haven't seen the film version of Tony Takitani...though I should check for it on Netflix.