>>44
I've not had so many conversations about Ryuu, but I have a feeling it's a difference in the kind of people we talk to.

While I do think Haruki is more popular overall, I agree that Ryuu is more "popular" and well regarded in the critical opinion, and no doubt in the opinions of more serious and critical readers as well. Also, I should emphasise that although critical opinion of it is not so great, Norwegian Wood really is resposible for a large part of Haruki's popularity. Most of the Japanese people I've had conversations about Haruki with would count it as their favourite of his books, and I think I've talked to a few people who don't like his others at all.

I'm not exactly sure what the deal with his latest was, certainly you'd expect it to do well but it sold like crazy and wiki claims it was a social phenomenon that increased the sales of things mentioned in the book and of his previous novels.