Review: 1Q84
I think my last post made it pretty clear that I was not a fan of Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84. Actually, “not a fan” would be an understatement, I’d say “flat out disliked” would be more accurate.
I approached reading 1Q84 in much the same way I approach exercising before an upcoming beach vacation. I dreaded it every day, constantly questioned whether the results were worth the pain, and instead of marking my progress, I counted down till the finish. The only difference? Finishing 1Q84 didn’t make me any skinnier.
The most frustrating part about 1Q84 was that it was so extremely long and drawn-out. Those 944 pages could have easily been cut in half, maybe even more. And can someone please address the excessive number of sexual fantasy occurrences? Oh yea, that one, hot steamy night of lesbian experimentation? Cool, I got it the first time, no need to remind me of it every 50 pages. And oh yea, Tengo’s first erection? Didn’t need to know that the consistency was “somewhat thicker than urine.” DID NOT. And really, is it okay that Murakami rambled on for nearly a thousand pages without explaining anything at the end of the novel? Where were his editors?!
If 1Q84 were a movie, I’d ask for my money back.
