Asian Author, Unemployed young man, Goes into a Well to relax?escape?

I think this is might be an existentialist book or I could be wrong, but the writing style reminded me of Albert Camus.

-A man has been recently unemployed.
-His girlfriend is getting annoyed with him because he just hangs around the appartment.
-There's a young neighbour (13?) who he befriends.
-He goes into a "magical" well where he feels saved?.

Long, thick book.

Any suggestions?

Sounds like The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle - hope that's it.

>2 -Eva-: I second your suggestion!

thank you! that's exactly it. I remember the "bird" part of the title.
Cheers.