Yasutaka Tsutsui

I enjoy reading novel's by Haruki Murakami, and indeed, it has become such a trendy thing to do these days. But what I have just realise is that I have, over many years, been in love with Yasutaka Tsutsui (筒井康隆)'s novels. One way or another I came across animated version of his work: A Girl who leap through time, Paprika (side note, Paprika's soundtrack was composed by Susumu Hirasawa, who also composed the soundtrack for Millennium Actress and Paranoia Agent, which are both very good productions). It's probably not a comparable comparison, but to an untrained eyes (leisurely reader) both writers' novel have a kind of dreamy attribute, the swapping of concious and subconcious point of view of the character. But Yasutaka's novel is less depressing, more satrical, and often more powerful and complex. Yasutaka Tsutsui is born 15 years before Murakami, it's unfortunate that his work did not get translated very much... In any case, if you enjoy reading Murakami, try Tsutsui (well, maybe the one that has been broadcasted on BBC lately - salmonella men on planet porno - is not the best way to introduce him... try Paprika instead!)