Reviews

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

ellalars's review against another edition

4.0

holy fucking fuck

aldole's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? No

3.0

jess_mango's review against another edition

4.0

By far the LONGEST book that I've read so far this year! This hefty tome clocked in at over 900 pages. BUT, I love Murakami and was really looking forward to reading this one.

The book's chapters alternate between the various protagonists. The main 2 characters are Tengo & Aomame, who are both 30 and living in Tokoyo in 1984 (or is it 1Q84???).

Like most Murakami books, this is not the book for you if you like everything fully explained. There is so much going on in this book that is never truly explained.

This book is also included on Weymouth Public Library's Must Read books and the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list. I am also using it for the "genre fiction in translation" task for the Book Riot Read Harder challenge.

sorinahiggins's review against another edition

2.0

How disappointing!! I tried twice before to read this book and finally got into it this time. But oh dear. It's very long without (I thought) much payback. I don't believe in the love story for one minute. The ending left almost everything unresolved. I'll have to go read some rave reviews and scholarly analyses if I'm going to appreciate it. Alas.

okevamae's review against another edition

2.0

Boring, boring, boring. I struggled through the first section and could not force myself to go on to the next. I think the female narrator's voice had a lot to do with my boredom - she was extremely monotone - but I also did not really care about the characters. I will definitely not come back to the audiobook, and I don't even think I'd pick up a print copy if I could get it for free. My library wishlist is too long for it to ever become a priority. I'm only mildly curious about what happens, so I think I'd be better off with Cliffs Notes or something.

bgoldber88's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

kdahlo's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this, although some of the subject matter wasn't to my taste. Certain aspects were great, others I could have done without. The intertwining narratives were really excellent. The handling of sexual abuse was wierd and unpleasant. Overall I felt it was worthwhile.

xtie's review against another edition

2.0

I think I’m done with Murakami - I said I’d give him a chance but I cannot for the life of me stomach any of the plot when he writes about women in the most ridiculous and demeaning way. It took so much away from the otherwise quite interesting, if not directionless plot (+ I’m not that mad about it). The narrators were far less compelling and downright repetitive by Book #3 so the last bit was definitely a stubborn slog. Safe to say I thought I wouldn’t like it 30 pages in, and I was absolutely correct.

klparmley's review against another edition

1.0

I've tried twice in 2 formats and I just can't get through this.

cafeconjams's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0