I liked it -- let's say 3.5, but I didn't love it. I liked: most of the characters (Aomame, Tamaru, the dowager and even Ushikawa. the atmosphere and moodiness -- definitely characteristic Murakami. Wish I read this one on the Nook -- this added a lot of weight to my backpack for 2 weeks. ;-)I'm left feeling a bit of "so what?" Not sure what the point was.