During the course of reading this book, I developed an addiction to black coffee, something I never wanted to taste, it was as devious an addiction as 3 or 4 cups a day, it is highly devious for me considering that I am very strict about food and beverages. The addiction luckily waned off after I completed the book, but after more than a week of completing the book as I want to write the review, the first thing that I did was make myself a cup of strong black coffee.
Reading Murakami is the most lovable thing to do. It is a laid back affair, events move musically, reading feels like a dance in trance heart swaying to the rhythm, and unlike my normal self I don’t bother about time or the ending. This is one reason I have reservations over picking his book, like it's a sinful indulgence.
Coming to 1Q84, I found this different from his other books, the proceedings were fast, too fast in fact. Chapters alternate between Tengo and Aomame in the first 2 books, Ushikawa adds his part to the third book. There are repetitions, probably because of the serialization, as a recap to strongly emphasize certain facts, that said there were also times the flow felt stagnant. Tamaru was the character I loved the most, Ushikawa's chapters were the ones I wished ended fast. Some knots remain unsolved and I have no qualms about it, in fact that is how I loved it.
The central plot is a love story with a mystical theme, an ode to Orwell's classic 1984, but it is rich with insights into some wonderful works of art, literature and personalities like Orwell, Hemingway, Chekov and Proust. These anecdotes enrich the reading experience, typical of Murakami. I strongly feel Murakami's references to the Masters has a tinge of unparalleled reverence to it.
The weirdness quotient was a bit high and there were times when I couldn’t control my laughter, also times when I just wanted to drop the book and go look at the moon wondering whether time really moves in a straight line. The love of Aomame and Tengo started at zero in my mind and slowly but steadily grew into a very intense one, and magically made me feel satiated and heave a sigh at the end, dissolving all the doubts and adverse thoughts that were looming large, converting them to 5 stars.
Reading Murakami is the most lovable thing to do. It is a laid back affair, events move musically, reading feels like a dance in trance heart swaying to the rhythm, and unlike my normal self I don’t bother about time or the ending. This is one reason I have reservations over picking his book, like it's a sinful indulgence.
Coming to 1Q84, I found this different from his other books, the proceedings were fast, too fast in fact. Chapters alternate between Tengo and Aomame in the first 2 books, Ushikawa adds his part to the third book. There are repetitions, probably because of the serialization, as a recap to strongly emphasize certain facts, that said there were also times the flow felt stagnant. Tamaru was the character I loved the most, Ushikawa's chapters were the ones I wished ended fast. Some knots remain unsolved and I have no qualms about it, in fact that is how I loved it.
The central plot is a love story with a mystical theme, an ode to Orwell's classic 1984, but it is rich with insights into some wonderful works of art, literature and personalities like Orwell, Hemingway, Chekov and Proust. These anecdotes enrich the reading experience, typical of Murakami. I strongly feel Murakami's references to the Masters has a tinge of unparalleled reverence to it.
The weirdness quotient was a bit high and there were times when I couldn’t control my laughter, also times when I just wanted to drop the book and go look at the moon wondering whether time really moves in a straight line. The love of Aomame and Tengo started at zero in my mind and slowly but steadily grew into a very intense one, and magically made me feel satiated and heave a sigh at the end, dissolving all the doubts and adverse thoughts that were looming large, converting them to 5 stars.
