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A review by mrmysteryfox
1Q84 #1-2 by Haruki Murakami
5.0
Re read of one of the novels that got me into Murakami.
“If you can’t understand it without an explanation, you can’t understand it with an explanation”
The characters themselves almost summing up Murakami’s work! Surreal and entertaining read with a back and forth storyline between the two main characters. Glad I re read this as it’s reminded me how much I enjoyed this book the first time around. What’s not to like the story has; a female assassin, secretive religious cult(s), story within a story, unrequited love and the surreal “little people”…
Like
-Like the alternating main character narrative - builds good suspense and anticipation of if the two will cross
-Very different main characters and storyline which keeps the book interesting
-Challenges religions/cults and the impacts on upbringing of children
-The image of two moons and transferring to an alternate world will always haunt me (same as how I’ll always hear a magpie call and think of the bird call from wind up bird chronicle)
Dislike
-Sometimes a bit over sexualised (albeit think that is the point of breaking stereotypical norm or Japanese women)
-Clearly should just be read as a single extended book (this is how I first read it anyway)
To remember
“Once you pass a certain age, life becomes nothing more than a process of continual loss.”
On creating a meaningful bond with someone
“To think that such a close connection could only be formed through violence was almost too much for Aomame to bear.”
“If you can’t understand it without an explanation, you can’t understand it with an explanation”
The characters themselves almost summing up Murakami’s work! Surreal and entertaining read with a back and forth storyline between the two main characters. Glad I re read this as it’s reminded me how much I enjoyed this book the first time around. What’s not to like the story has; a female assassin, secretive religious cult(s), story within a story, unrequited love and the surreal “little people”…
Like
-Like the alternating main character narrative - builds good suspense and anticipation of if the two will cross
-Very different main characters and storyline which keeps the book interesting
-Challenges religions/cults and the impacts on upbringing of children
-The image of two moons and transferring to an alternate world will always haunt me (same as how I’ll always hear a magpie call and think of the bird call from wind up bird chronicle)
Dislike
-Sometimes a bit over sexualised (albeit think that is the point of breaking stereotypical norm or Japanese women)
-Clearly should just be read as a single extended book (this is how I first read it anyway)
To remember
“Once you pass a certain age, life becomes nothing more than a process of continual loss.”
On creating a meaningful bond with someone
“To think that such a close connection could only be formed through violence was almost too much for Aomame to bear.”