Murakami is one of my favorite short story authors because he is able to create a beautiful world and delightfully flawed characters in only a few short chapters. This particular collection has become one of my favorites: seven tales of men and the impactful role that women have played in each of their lives. Two friends who share the love of one woman, another man learning of his lover's suicide, and a newly-evolved human falling for the woman who comes to repair the lock on his door - Murakami captures all that is love and twists it with a bit of humor, heartache, and magic.