Reviews with content warning for Murder - 1Q84

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

55 reviews

grace_tg's review

adventurous funny mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

I genuinely really enjoyed the book. The first three days I was only reading it, managing to reach over 300 pages. Then life caught up, and although I was very much enjoying it, I was struggling to read a lot. I would describe it as a heavy book, in a sense that you need to really pay attention to it; it's not just an easy, flowy lightheaded book.
Brilliant plot, with so many ties, and under-links, and layers. The characters are all described and portrayed with such detail even when scrutinizing detail is absent. The different voices and line of thought are also very nicely put, aiding with the coherence rather than hindering it.
You get really immersed in that world. A book worth reading.

The only reasons I am not giving it a 5, are because at moments the pace was a bit too slow for me, and perhaps a bit tiring (but those moments were truly rare) and because I am left with many questions... Which has its magic, I must admit, but also has me icky for the answers.

I was not particularly fond of that Aomame-Tengo romance- but I am also not a very romance-type person. And despite the unusual circumstances, their connections and ultirior plot was magnificently presented to us.

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kailey_reads's review

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

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spiralingoaks's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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katue77's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

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isaospina's review

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challenging mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I've been reading this book for months, next to Ana Karenina, 1Q84 is the longest book I've read to date.

It took me a while, the beginning is tough, Murakami female characters are... Sexist at best but once you go through the first book you learn to swallow it.

The second book was my favorite, it's where the plot thickens and the entire cult-murder deal is right down my alley. It's also the book that took me less time to read as I didn't have to deal with countless descriptions of boobs.

Third book was Ok, I guess. It did feel like Aomame's character took some steps backwards. But the ending made me smile, so I'll give it that.

Not gonna lie, s my first Murakami read I don't feel excited for more, nor feel the need to blacklist him from authors I read or will read. Still this book is a little over the place, with too much repetition and plot holes, also sexism and flat as tortilla female characters. If you can power through that, it's an entertaining read.

I know he doesn't get better with female characters but I believe there must be better books that give him the reputation he has, this one isn't one of them.

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pedroelizabeth's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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ihoneymustard's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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frosted_croissant's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really enjoyed Murakami's writing but reading all three of the books in one big collection sometimes became a chore with his very descriptive writing style. I swear there were some facts that I read about 45 times throughout this book. Other than that this was a beautiful and TENSE story.

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sumaiyaa's review against another edition

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I started it off pretty excited, and it was the most expensive book I had brought for myself.
As soon as I reached around 100 pages, I knew this was not for me. Too much sex scenes, sexualizing women (sometimes men), mentions weird kinks which got absolutely no connection with the main plot. Halfway through the book the description got so repetitive and boring. MCs thoughts were overly emphasized. The plot kept stretching like rubber band, then suddenly snapped and hit my face. I realized I cannot do this to myself anymore.
Another thing is the characters. Extremely dry and unlovable. Sure, sad thoughts and imaginations are inevitable but ever heard of "normal" thinking? I personally could not see any character development, just two MCs being carried on with the flow. No self-will or self-esteem. I also could not find any "average" character until 800 pages at least. The nearest one would be Komatsu ig.
Although I must say, Murakami's imagination was impressive. Two moons and new world slowly taking over reality (idk what is the reality anymore tbh) inspirations from Famous authors like Goerge Orwell. But I think that was made too apparent. It seems like every character had read all classic books which was unbelievable for me. Personally I only know one person who'd read at least single one (except for pride and prejudice lol)
Reading 1q84 was like running on a round track. There was no prominent goal or conclusion. Or even Moral. I know for sure that if I had finished this book I'd ask myself "so what was the author's point?" Maybe there are readers who would enjoy based on the process only. But for me and I am sure for most of you guys, I need a lesson, maybe even a point learned, just like a hunter brings a catch back home.
Keep in mind that I overlooked cliches like "first love" of both MCs during primary school, who are still chasing that and it's been more than a decade. How can a girl grabbing your hand for 20s make you fall for her for 15 yrs (or more)?? Without even meeting once after that? She must have emitted some radiation or woteva into your brain when you guys made the eye contact. looks like I have ended up ranting about this as well 😂
So yeah, in conclusion I could not finish it. I don't normally DNF books but this was not it. It's my 2nd ever DNF. My standards aren't high, it's just that when bad (it's a general term ik) overrides goodness, I do not find it worth my time.
Thanks for reading guyz.

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kibiiiariii's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced

3.0

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