What in the Vladimir Nabokov did I just read?

I suppose I should have referenced either Updike, Fitzgerald, or Chandler instead-- the authors that protagonist Toru Watanabe actually does refer to in this coming of age that deals with a lot of depression and a fair amount of suicide. And mainly sex. Yes this was published in the 1980s.

Obviously we love the misogyny. But somehow this exploration, if you can put aside the obsession with sticking it in, quickly becomes about so much more than a boy trying to figure out sex. It's about about a bunch of young humans trying to figure out adulting while battling internal dread. Sad to say, not much has changed...

My joy was sparked when I realized ultimately the men are a mere vehicle to get to the women in this story. Which is kind of a general point I think we've been missing for a long time?

Between Reiko (it's her 13-year-old who brought dear old Vlad into this conversation) and Midori, I have no idea how I'm going to find regular women to hang out with who are even remotely as fascinating. This story starts out Proustain but quickly evolves into the Beatles song. I have 2 hours left on audio and can't decide if the monologues are enrapturing or driving me insane. Either way, I can officially say I have popped my Murakami cherry and I am glad to be on this journey