The year is 1984. In a parallel world, the year is 1Q84. This is the real world, there is no
doubt about that. But in this world, there are two moons in the sky. In this world, the fates of two people, Tengo and Aomame, are closely intertwined. They are each, in their own way, doing something very dangerous. And in this world, there seems no way to save them both. Something extraordinary is starting.
Here’s my review for book 1.
Aomame is confronted with her most dangerous job yet. Tengo is reunited with Fuka-Eri and together they try to figure out how to stay safe from the little people. Tengo & Aomame both seem far away from each other, but we now know, that their story has been connected from the start.
There’s something about the style of writing that really pulls me in! I finished this second part in less than a week and that’s pretty damn good for me. I read one book last month. ONE! π
While the first book had magical/fantastical aspects, it was still pretty much ‘our’ time. Things seemed a little off, but it still read mostly like a contemporary novel. Book 2 is much more fantastical.
The story of the Air Chrysalis, which is the ‘story within the story’ is finally getting told and it’s definitely not what I was expecting!
We learn more about the little people and it’s getting a little darker. You know something bad is about to happen. The atmosphere slowly changes, it’s getting more dangerous and there’s more tension. I love that everything is revealed very slowly, but sensibly. It’s amazing how natural it seems even though it doesn’t seem very likely at first that the characters’ paths will cross. It’s so well done!
The connection that Aomame and Tango have is beautiful! I am totally invested and can’t wait to see how it continues.
I would have given it 5 stars, but Fuka-Eri’s act of ‘purification’ freaked me out and seriously, how often does the author talk about ‘Tengo’s ejaculation’? I got it the first time!
Also, having sex with your own daughter is not acceptable, even if it was only a kind of copy? Gross!
β β β β
Those very sexual reasons, which seem to be something Murakami runs through all his books, are why I eventually stopped reading him. No matter how much I might like the stories, things like that just bring me to a screeching halt.
Glad you enjoyed this overall though. Hopefully it propels you to even more reading π
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I actually ordered another Murakami book π Let’s see how much sexual weirdness is in this….
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Which one did you order?
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Norwegian Wood. Have you read it?
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I have! It’s a good one, and rather short π I liked it a lot! Typical Murakami themes, done well – it’s one of his early novels. Felt fresh to me, probably because of that. @Bookstooge – what do you think about this one?
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I have not. I read Kafka on the Shore and the incest there was enough so I was done with Murakami.
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You reminded me I haven’t read a Murakami novel in a couple of years… will seriously consider re-starting with this π
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Yay! I hope you like it as much as I did π
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I would like to try Murakami someday, but I havenβt decided what book to read. This sounds interesting, but also kind of disturbing. Good review!
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After reading your review for the first book I went and borrowed it from the library. Haven’t started it yet, but I’m looking forward to reading it (sexual weirdness notwithstanding). π
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