I read this for my 9th grade Honors English class, and have unfortunately not had the chance to reread it since, but it's stuck with me. Yōko Ogawa beautifully describes disturbing topics in a really engaging way. I can't wait to reread this book, because it's truly so beautiful.
I recently read my first Ogawa, a collection of linked tales called "Revenge". Was very impressed and will check this out for sure.