Haruki Murakami or Banana Yoshimoto?

The writing styles of these two hugely popular Japanese writers have often been likened and compared to each other.

Which one do you prefer? Is there a reason why you prefer them?

To be honest I really neither like either one.

I will say I believe Yoshimoto to be the better writer, however. She's much more fluid with her writing, and can write beautiful prose and express difficult emotions.

Murakami just writes a story and I feel doesn't much care about the beauty of his writing.

I enjoy both authors, but have all the Murakami books, in both English & Japanese.

Murakami book Kafka on the Shore is my personal favorite.

But there are indeed stronger writers--- in my collection, I re-read Kokoro by Soseki annually. Also, I find Ibuse, Masuji, Dazai, Osamu, & Tanizaki to be great...

Murakami's short stories can be delightful.