1Q84

I havn't read it, I was thinking of checking it out though. Now I'm not so sure. Phil wrote some pretty funny things about it on facebook, about the narrater talking too much about her boobs or something.

I like Murakami too, I'd like to hear what others thought of it.

I wanted to read it but I've only read bad reviews, so I think I'll pass.

I am reading the last book and have really, really enjoyed it.

I didn't hear much hype, but I did read the mixed Amazon reviews - one of these said that if it's your first Murakami book (it is) you wouldn't like it. Ha!

I do agree that some of the descriptions are pervy but it's all very entertaining.

Finished it a few weeks ago and it's typical Murakami, just spread out over 900 pages. But having read all of his other novels and stories, I thoroughly enjoyed 1Q84.

Isn't it a trilogy? Might be a bit easier to read one part at a time. It's always tough reading 900 or more of the same story. It takes a pretty special story to keep a reader interested for that long.

It was three books in Japan. I also read and enjoyed Wind-Up Bird, so it wasn't the length that threw me. Pacing was a huge problem. The book is essentially divided into two different narratives: Tengo and Aomame. The story is told through the same timeline... and there's the problem. To keep the timelines together, Murakami gives equal time to both characters, even though one of the characters may not be doing anything particularly interesting, kinda giving a lot of the book a filler feel. Later in the book, a third narrative gets introduced, which in my opinion isn't useful or really interesting. It just slows down the pacing even more. Aomame's unsymmetrical breasts and "pubic hair resembling an overgrown soccer field", while somewhat weirdly comical at first, get mentioned way too many times.

I had a few other grievances, but they pertain too many plot points, and would rather not give anything away.

All in all, I'd say it's good enough to read and finish, but not really good enough to recommend.

The book looks extremely appealing on the shelves though. Was at the bookstore yesterday and I just had to look at it and flip through the pages. I wanted it just for its prettiness.