This was my first foray into Murakami’s work and in all honesty, I think I chose the wrong book to start with. “1Q84” still feels like a work in progress draft that could have been consolidated into a much shorter book. The fantasy elements of the book are intriguing, but unexplained; the story-line the religious cult was completely underdeveloped and underutilized. I didn’t feel invested in either of the main characters which was such a shame and the sex scenes felt so gratuitous. I was underwhelmed and disappointed.