Haruki Murakami‘s 1Q84 hit American bookshelves yesterday, and was feted with midnight release parties. The 944-page book, which required the work of two translators, “unfolds as a science-fiction thriller,” says our Well Read columnist Robert Weibezahl.
My first (and so far, only) exposure to Murakami was through 2005′s Kafka on the Shore, which my book club read a few years ago. I was not thrilled by the choice, but was pleasantly surprised to find that the surrealist elements were intriguing, not precious. Despite being unsure at times of what, exactly, was going on in the book, I couldn’t put it down and it sparked a great conversation.
Will you read 1Q84?
From the archives
1Q84 review
Kafka on the Shore reviews
Haruki Murakami author page
Everyone was laughing at me when I picked up my copy last night. The cover is made of that delicate vellum which bends and creases like crazy. I had to paw through numerous copies to find one that wasn’t flawed in some way.
Yes, I plan to read it in a BIG way. I wanted to start last night but real life got in the way. Tonight though… yep, tonight is the night.
I got it at my my library on Tues, that is, on release day! I’m on page 180 and love it! Go Public Libraries!