I think Haruki Murakami is very fascinated by all that we share in common with animals. A lot of his stories feature relationships between humans and animals that do not occur naturally but highlight fundamental aspects of survival. In this book, a character can talk to cats and usually does so because he is lonely. This highlights on both ends how animals are social creatures, even cats, some of the most isolate animals need interaction every now and then.
My issue wit Murakami however, this I even saw in 1Q84, is the end of his book. By 3/4 of the book, the reader knows what is about to happen at the end, however Murakami drags this on for WAY TOO LONG. It becomes so hard to finish the book because I already know what is going to happen yet it takes 50 pages to get there.
