1Q84: Books 1, 2 and 3

If you're going to settle into a 925 page dystopian fantasy set in Japan, you either buy into it right at the start or not at all. And to keep you going until the end, the story has to remain intriguing throughout so you don't invest several days and then give up somewhere in the middle. Murakami weaves his magical unrealism with his usual deft touch, even if there is quite a bit of repetition here, moreso than usual. But the atmosphere, mystery, unreality grabs you, and just when you think you've got it figured out, throws you a curve. There are inside jokes abundantly on display -- one of my favorites is when the heroine finds herself plowing through Proust, all six volumes, being caught up in another world lovingly described to the finest detail. A worthy comparison to this work in which no sight, sound or smell is too insignificant to omit. Each character is asmost cinematically portrayed, Murakami sets his narratives against a totally believable, recognizeable backdrop that is slightly to the left of reality. Worth the effort. Worth the time.

Murakami has not only inherited the crown from the likes of Marquez, he has also changed the landscape and expanded the kingdom. In 1Q84 he masterfully creates an environmental and emotional landscape which captures the reader. The 900 page tome reads at a leisurely pace, but is so absorbing that the reader doesn't even notice.

Tackling themes of individuals isolated in the crowd of the world, 1Q84 is ultimately a love story which spirals towards the climax like a DNA double helix twisting in on itself and joining it's strands.

It's a story which requires an initial commitment from the reader. But once you jump in, it's a highly rewarding read.

Now then.. it was really after a long time that I convinced myself to buy a hardcover - they're really costly and I've always preferred borrowing books from others or my local library.
But then I took a step and brought this one. To say the least, I was instantly enthralled and captivated by this novel. A commendable piece of imagination combined with a really wonderful translation by the authors!
I do not remember the hows, the whens the why: Just that the time went past and so did pages of the book like the famed bullet trains of Japan, and suddenly I turned the last page.
A must read for all the lovers of fiction out there!

Haruki Murakami has done it again. He just sweeps off the reader. I have been his big time fine almost read all his available books fiction and non-fiction.

Some how his books have common characters. Only the name changes but they are very much same. Part-time working hero, weird animals, detective chase, super-natural powers, LGBTs, universal human feelings, music, references to great authors...

The only issue - its a bit lengthy could have been more tightly clipped. But who cares as far as it entertains you.

Have been a fan of Murakami ever since I read Kafka on the Shore (KOTS), and this latest book of his, is a fabulous and gripping read. Though KOTS had a lot of lyrical magicalism (sic), 1Q84 is lyrical and magical with loads of suspense, literary prose and a lil bit of eroticism thrown in for good measure. A wonderful albeit lengthy and heavy read.