Need help choosing a novel to read

From: Gavin Steyn (gavinDOTsteyn_at_verizon.net)
Date: 01/12/05 

Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 10:38:48 GMT

Since teaching myself Japanese, I've been trying to read some serious
literature, but there's one big problem--I've got no idea what novels are
harder than others. So, although I realize this is a subjective thing, I
was hoping that if I post the list of novels I've read, along with my
success, someone could point me to others that could build up my reading
chops a bit, to the point where I could read, say, "Yuki Guni".

"Yuki Guni" (Kawabata)--almost completely incomprehensible to me.
"Kinkakuji"(--I thought I was getting it, but when I looked at the
translation I realized I had missed important stuff--the zen, for instance,
went right over my head.
"Bottchan" (Soseki)--Hard to say--I think I mostly understood it, didn't
think it was funny; does that mean I missed the point?
Various short stories of Akutagawa--no real difficulty, and I really enjoyed
these.
"Hako Otoko" (Kobo Abe) -- no real difficulties, except for one tricky
section (also enjoyed this)
"Sasame Yuki" (Tanizaki)--Tricky at first, especially the dialect, but then
I got into the flow and didn't have major problems.
A few books by Haruki Murakami--easy.
A few pop-culture novels (Miyuki Miyabe, that sort of thing)--very easy

I'm looking for some recommendations that will push my Japanese boundaries a
bit, in addition to being good (that is, I enjoy Murakami, for example (and
plan to read more), but reading his novels isn't going to push my Japanese
up to a higher level).

Thanks for any help,
  Gavin (Gavin DOT Steyn AT verizon DOT net)

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