How to survive 1Q84

Context: 1Q84 is a book I've been meaning to read FOREVER but its overwhelming page-count is insane.  I told myself "It's too bad I can't read it because I don't have the book (insert fake/secretly relieved sigh here)... I'm on yet another self-imposed book buying ban until my TBR pile is under control." Then my friend gave me her copy to read so I had no excuse! 

The novel is actually comprised of 3 books, so when I finished it I felt EXTREMELY accomplished.  However, Goodreads counts it as 1, so while I managed to read this "1" book, I've managed to fall 12 books behind on my goal to read 100 by the end of this year.  If I don't make this goal, I will put all my blame on 1Q84 and War and Peace!

The actual mini-review: 5-stars. An ambitiously beautiful epic. Murakami is so good at 'slice of life' by providing a descriptive yet sweetly simple look into an introvert's life of food preparation, chores, going to work, reading/writing books... then BAM! Supernatural beings known as The Little People. Cults. Hit-men. Investigators. Two Moons in the Sky. A world apart from 1984, which our heroine refers to as 1Q84. I wish I had more stars to give this book. Read with an open mind and simply enjoy the ride, as Murakami creates a mysterious world leading to more questions than answers. This book will not suit readers who seek closure; they'll miss the point that the book is more about observing a foreign world and pondering its surrealism. 

Tips to "survive 1Q84": do not read before sleeping.  You will wake up questioning what is real. Don't try to find meaning in the book, other than Murakami's exploration of his usual themes of loneliness, codependency, and introversion.  Take the Little People at face value, or you will lose your sanity.

Bonus: this is from paperbackgirl.com.  It is a nearly perfect breakdown of 1Q84 in particular, but I would cut that 25% allocated to cats in half and add 12.5% back in for "awkward/questionable sex".  If you've read 1Q84 or other Murakamis, I'd like to hear your thoughts!