NP: 1Q84

[Bekah]

Yes,  perhaps the whole  idea of lower case "q" is a bit "cutesy."  But it had to cross my mind!   And I do like the cover art as is.  A-and I agree with your point that Orwell's work is not that big a deal in IQ84 - It's there and well taken but under a lot of Murakami's own story,  characters,  themes.  

I'm not sure if I agree to 1Q84 being  "better than"  The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle or not.  They are both pure-d Murakami down to the cats and the jazz.   I also very much appreciated his last book of short stories.  I also really liked A Wild Sheep Chase.   And yes,  I camp on the metaphorical doorstep waiting for Pynchon, Murakmi and Atwood releases.   Do you know that a new novel by Umberto Eco is due this month along with a slim volume of short stories by Delillo?   I await...

Bekah



On Nov 7, 2011, at 10:37 AM, Tyler Wilson wrote:

> 
> I found 1Q84 fantastic, *probably* my best read this year. But I've gotta disagree about the typesetting of the title: The references to 1984 are obvious enough, and have been discussed at length in much of the media and buzz surrounding this release. I found Orwell's work to be really no more than a touchstone though, a leaping off point, and don't feel the relationship between the works goes as deep as people are trying make it. Going with a lc "q" goes too far and is way too "cutesy". I believe Chip Kidd did well to give the U.S. edition a bold, iconic treatment, even breaking up the four characters so they each stand on their own. The reference to 1984 will never be missed by anyone, but as executed, Murakami's work can hold a little more weight all on it's own, as it should.
> Regarding the book itself: I found this to be Mr. Murakami's best to date. But in the sense that it is *quintessential* Murakami. The things that make his writing great are done better than ever here, but the drawbacks many folks find may be amplified and there were parts that were downright embarrassing to read. I don't think this book is going to change anyone's opinion of his writing. I can say easily enough however, that I pitch my tent with those who read everything he writes as soon as they can get their hands on it. Not sure what to make of the fact that the novel originally ended after book 2, and that book three was done as an afterthought and released later. Without book 3, it is a much weaker work I feel, and the fact that it came about as it did does say at least a little bit about the author's vision and judgement, imho.
> Those are my unsolicited thoughts on the subject. Do what you will with them.
> Currently reading: Voss, which is *possibly* my best read this year. We'll see.--T
> 
> 
> ________________________________
>> Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 09:52:09 -0800 
>> From: markekohut at yahoo.com 
>> Subject: Fw: NP: 1Q84 
>> To: bekah0176 at sbcglobal.net 
>> CC: pynchon-l at waste.org 
>> 
>> Bekah---- 
>> 
>> Yes!....HM shouldda talked to you and the translator. 
>> 
>> Mark 
>> 
>> ----- Forwarded Message ----- 
>> From: Bekah <bekah0176 at sbcglobal.net> 
>> To: Paul Mackin <mackin.paul at verizon.net> 
>> Cc: pynchon-l at waste.org 
>> Sent: Monday, November 7, 2011 12:41 PM 
>> Subject: Re: NP: 1Q84 
>> 
>> The narrators (two male,  one female - all excellent)  of the audio  
>> version pronounce it One-Q-Ninety-four.  In my correct o,  it ought to  
>> have been written out as  "1q84"  so the Qq would actually look like a  
>> different sort of 9.  Oh well.. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Nov 7, 2011, at 8:48 AM, Paul Mackin wrote: 
>> 
>>> On 11/7/2011 11:31 AM, Joe Allonby wrote: 
>>>> Reading 1Q84 next to the beach in Montezuma. 
>>>> 
>>>> Thought occurred to me that the character Aomame joins the list of 
>>>> literary female ass-kickers. She has perfected ten different 
>>>> techniques for effectively kicking a man in the balls. DL and she 
>>>> would probably get along. 
>>>> 
>>> I started it but haven't gotten very far yet. 
>>> 
>>> Is the title pronounced Q-teen eighty four? 
>>> 
>>> P 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>