There was just one moon. That familiar, yellow, solitary moon. The same moon that silently floated over fields of pampas grass, the moon that rose–a gleaming, round saucer–over the calm surface of lakes, that tranquilly beamed down on the rooftops of fast-asleep houses. The same moon that brought the high tide to shore, that softly shone on the fur of animals and enveloped and protected travelers at night. The moon that, as a crescent, shaved slivers from the soul–or, as a new moon, silently bathed the earth in its own loneliness. — Murakami, 1Q84
Photo credit: NASA
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Every time there is a big moon in the sky, I think about 1Q84!
People always talk about this book, Muraki has never worked for me, or should I try him again?
Yes, try again!!!!
What have you read of his?
I read The Wind Up Bird Chronicles which started off well but lost pacing and I was bored by the end. I read a collection of short stories too, which was neither here nor there. I will get to him again one day, the local second hand bookshop will have something.
Oh, well, I thought The Wind Up Bird Chronicles was one of his best, haha!
I think with Murakami, the best way is to ease into his style. I would recommend starting with a few of his less fantastical ones, like Sputnik Sweetheart or Norwegian Wood. He basically wrote Norwegian Wood to be a “gateway drug” to his books. He wanted to write a commercially successful book to entice readers to read some of his more surreal books — how conniving, right?
I usually like fantastical and magical realism and such but this one seemed to lose its way after the first half. I like his style with drawing readers in and no doubt I will read one of his books again in the future.
Yes, please keep us posted! I will agree that some of his longer books could afford to be 50-100 pages shorter…
This is the only Murakami I have read, but from what I understand, it is not his best?
I have no idea people seem to rate 1Q84 highly but I am lacking in Mr M. knowledge.