1Q84 (Vintage International)

The physical book is very good. I wanted to get the slightly more expensive and nice looking version because it's very long and I don't want to spend that much time with an ugly book. This book is definitely not ugly. The cover is very good and the font is readable. Not to big or small. The book is also very floppy. I prefer books like this as it makes it easier to turn the pages and stops the spine from creasing. I knew that I would probably enjoy this book because I've read his other stuff and loved it. I would definitely recommend reading some of his other shorter books before committing to this one just to make sure that you like his writing. I've read the wind up bird chronicles, Norwegian wood and after dark and they were all great. I'm excited to read this one. His writing style feels so engaging and you make connections in your head. Murakami never holds your hand and leaves you to interpret things. This is really refreshing as lots of modern media tells you everything and treats you like your stupid.

Murakami has published three books into one under the 1Q84 series. Starring Tengo and Aomame as our star crossed lovers, following their intertwining stories surrounding a mysterious cult in a dystopian universe. The title is a nod to Orwell's 1984, but doesn't bare any resemblance to that story in the least. The story is exceptionally long at over 1,000 pages and often times overladen with details that some would feel unnecessary, and often going into graphic detail with sexual encounters that can make you question if Murakami has ever had sex (check out his award for worst sex scene). However, I couldn't stop myself from finishing the novel to find how Tengo and Aomame's stories shaped out. While I didn't find the story shaped out to what I would typically expect or hope from a novel, it would be expected from a Murakami. It is worth checking out if you've enjoyed his other novels such as Norwegian Wood, Kafka on the Shore, or The Wind Up Bird Chronicle.

Pretty good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it would recommend

In complete contrast to his short stories this is, despite being touted as a trilogy, a continuous narrative and at 1200 pages, quite a meaty one. All the classic Murakami fantasy, somehow whilst retaining credibility almost as if the events described could actually have happened. Whilst I would normally be put off by graphic sexual descriptions, they are key to the plot and atmosphere and somehow he manages to avoid being tawdry. Incredible complexity which he manages to weave together and finally resolve. Fabulous descriptions of mundane details which for the most part are fascinating in themselves. Only minor criticism is that, as a trilogy, there is quite a bit of recapping on the assumption you might have missed the previous episode, so if you are reading it in one go, the repetition becomes occassionally tiresome.

We have bought both the book (in English, but in Denmark) and the Audio book from Amazon UK. Contrary to the Audio book "Kafka on the Shore", 1Q84 is read by Americans and this gives the audio experience a simpler 2-dimensional hearing experience. The female reader's voice frequency is unfortunately not favourable to listen to when there is background sounds, like in a car, or when the wind is blowing. Haruki Murakamis novel is a master piece.

Another incredible book from Murakami. Couldn't put it down.

This was my first dealing with Haruki Murakami and I can honestly say I loved the work – so much so that I’m unsure which of his books to pick up next. The fact that it is translated shouldn’t put you off as you really cannot tell that such is the case: it’s beautifully written, keeping you entertained from the start until the end. The story itself is one which you need to read one after the other. Book one introduces us to this strange parallel world, book two throws us in deeper and we start to unravel the mystery, and book three answers all our questions and pulls everything together. It is not something that you can understand simply by reading just one of the books: you need to jump into the entire world and enjoy the whole thing. Throughout the books we’re told the stories of two interesting characters, both of which are involved with this parallel world in separate yet intertwining ways. Of course, to explain such a thing to you would be to ruin the story. At some points I found myself somewhat confused, questioning who was where and what was truly happening, yet such a thing works out well in the end – with no questions left unanswered. Moreover the ending itself has me longing for more – not just more of Haruki Murakami’s work but more of the characters and their story as it’s left in such a way that it has me questioning – and hoping – whether there actually could be more to come. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who is familiar with his work or someone who is thinking of jumping into the work of Haruki Murakami as this really is a brilliant piece, and if word is to be believed his other work will also be great – something I plan to find out as soon as possible!

The book is in perfect condition even tho it is supposed to be used!I am ery please with my purchase!Excellent!!!!

Caution: story spoilers in review Okay, I have read a few of the reviews for this book, 1Q84 and find them interesting and thought provoking. While reading this book, I kept thinking, "The style of this author reminds me of another book I read." Yes, "The Wind-up Bird Chronicle" was the book that kept creeping into my memory. Until the dots connected, I thought that maybe this was the way all great Japanese literature is written. So what made me love this novel so much? Well first of all, I love unique story lines that push limits. Secondly, stories written by authors outside of the US that portray life outside the US (even mundane life) fascinate me. Third, Murikama's writing style is captivating. Finally, while reading this book, I kept wanting to get back to the book in place of working, socializing, exercising, and essentially trying to live life outside of the novel. Hmmm, I think the term is hyper-focus. I was hyper-focused on this book. Now add that to the fact that the book is still sticking with me as I ponder loose ends of the story and the story in general. Parts of the book kept exiting and appearing in my life at weird times and strange ways. Emails with subject line of "little people" that dealt with marketing aspects of my job. A dog hair ball floating around my house that looked like air chrysalis. While reading this book, I found myself interfacing with people talking cryptically like Fukaeri. I was actually waiting for a NHK worker to knock on my door. LOL Yes, parts of this book drag. As a reader you have the power to scan those pages. Yes this book seems long and I felt as reading it that this book would make a great series/trilogy. After reading this book, I feel the author could follow Tengo and Aomame in the new dimension they are in....surely this is not the original dimension they are from since the Esso tiger was located on the wrong side of the sign. Yes, the author does focus on the mundane--such as cooking specifics, menial conversations and boring day-to-day activities but I found that enlightening about life in Japan on a daily basis. To me how people around the world live their life is fascinating. Yes, the main characters are flat. However I loved this and thought that the author planned this to demonstrate that the average Joe is flat. I wish I could say that if someone invented me in a novel that I would be fascinating and dynamic but in reality the average person is simply just an average person. Boring, with redemptive qualities. Fantasy--I love how the author presented a fantasy situation in another dimension. The little people fascinated me. I wanted to know more about them but the author wasn't going to share everything. I am still not clear about why Komatsu's hair was used in the chrysalis at the end of the book. Is this fodder for the next book? Sex is huge in this book and I feel that it is well-written while pushing limits. Both Aomame and Tengo engaged in what many would call unsafe sex: sex with a married woman and in Aomame's case sex with strange men she picks up. I think this is essential to the plot because they are each comfortable with their sexual choices and it never crosses their minds that what they are doing is inappropriate. Once their characters develop in the book and their final goal to find each other becomes apparent do these two leave their unsafe sexual practices. This book reminded me of an American novel I read long ago and loved, "Winter's Tale" by Mark Helprin. Out-of-box fantasy that keeps you riveted as you absorb as much as you can as you read leaving you to mourn the end of the book with thoughts and memories that keep returning to remind you of visiting this special place.

I received the book and it's pretty good. It was reached to me in its finest state and I have almost completed the first tome by now. I received it in 2 days thanks to the fast payable shipping.

Este libro fue para mi la primera vez que leo a este autor, y al cerrar la contraportada no pude más que preguntarme ¿que he hecho con mi vida?, 1Q84 es una obra maestra, no hay otra forma de describirlo, como una respuesta directa a 1984 de George Orwell, Murakami logra crear una discusión contemporánea de la obra introduciendo elementos también de otros autores y dándoles un sentido único, su estructura y organización son ejemplares, puede ser que sea muy lento para algunas personas que disfrutan de libros más televisivos, pero si le dan la oportunidad, este libro dejará una huella increíble en sus vidas, ya es de mis libros favoritos, 5 estrellas

Absolutamente genial. Los dos primeros tomos enganchan un montón a pesar de que esté en inglés. Se entiende bastante fácil (nivel B2-C1). El tercero se me hizo demasiado raro y no sé, como algunos otros lectores, pienso que ese tomo se lo podría haber ahorrado. En cuanto al formato del libro, es un tocho considerable, para leer en casa está bien, pero si eres de pasear libros, mejor no. Cómpratelos separados. Y si eres un esquizofrénico con las arrugas en el lomo del libro como yo, este libro te sacará de quicio al ser de tapa blanda.

My all-time favourite book.