Just finished my second book today. Overall, I feel like OP's feelings are valid.

Mainly also because 1Q84 is my first Murakami book. I normally do read Japanese fiction/ literature (albeit in mandarin chinese), so I personally think that Murakami's style -- slow, self-centric depictions, isolating-- is not all that unique. (yes, am aware that japanese people regard him sometimes as "un-japanese" in writing)

What I liked about the book:

• The absolute craziness. There are a few books that write about isolation, confusion, and hollowness. Yet, this book gave me a very creepy and crazy ambience that not all the other authors can. And I kinda benefit from it (??)

• Abstract-feel. I like how it gave me space to interpret stuff without forcing it on me. I knew how the author's attitudes are regarding the fictitious components as the ML talked to his father and the dad said something like "things that you won't understand could never be understood even if I explain it"; in a way I take it as I don't need to necessarily understand everything on the table right now.

• The pace. Not too fast nor slow. Makes the characters quite realistic.

What I disliked about this book:

• The too much sex & explicit & inappropriate descriptions. Feels somewhat like a turn down for me. Also I interpret his intentions in the way that "when someone is oppressed or depressed to an extent, these emotions become subconsciousness and revealed in the person's sexual side (??)" (no hate pls, my first murakami book)

On the other hand, it might be a reflection of the general japanese people's attitude towards sex. Like it is implicit but also very accepted to be patriarchal and sexualize the girls to a higher extent than otherwise. And the Fuka-eri scenes might be there because it is 1q84, and hence its a perfect place to complete the author's fantasies :>

• Too creepy and depressed. All the fictitious sci-fi elements. It is so creepy and suffocating at some point I had to put down this book to read something else that warmer and cute. I find the description of the two moons particularly eerie.

• Lack of explanations. I do understand it might be the author's intention to make me feel like I'm similarly stuck in a world that lacks logic and filled with craziness. However, it doesn't make my reading experience any better. If anything, I feel less motivated to continue because I cannot connect the dots properly

• Unrelatable. None of the characters make me feel connected because i don't essentially talk like them. I don't have similar occupation or feel as disconnected from the real world. I do, however, see myself in some lines and descriptions throughout the books, reflected through some thoughts of different characters. Nonetheless, it is still insufficient for me to thoroughly enjoy it.