I like Sputnik Sweetheart the most out of the three Haruki Murakami books I've read so far, I think. I'm not sure if it was because the translation was done by someone else (Philip Gabriel - the first two were by Jay Rubin), or if Murakami actually wrote in a different style relative to the personality of the characters, but this novel read in a much more welcoming, casual vibe. It's still surreal, but stays on topic more than his other works, with a clear plot and more importantly, the characters seem to have true feelings.
The fact that one of the main characters is a lesbian, too, gives a refreshing modern angle to the book. Even now, I don't think characters such as Sumire exist very often in culture in patriarchal Japan which made it all the more enjoyable to see a free-spirited, "hipster" girl amid the frigid, mechanical women of Murakami's usual worlds. This misfit quality gave her even more life, in a way that I don't think I would really have appreciated had I not read the author's other works beforehand.
The loneliness of existence seems to be a common theme in Murakami's works, but its clear that it isn't something he's trying to solve or explain. It feels more like he's simply inviting you into a friendly (mostly one-sided) conversation for a few minutes to gage your reaction. Maybe you'll quietly listen, or maybe even agree with him - I think that's what would give him the most pleasure.
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