1Q84: Page 0: Links & Notions

[Andrew, Wound Up]

This topic should have NO spoilers. Feel free to discuss your preconceptions/notions about the book here. Also, open discussion of:



* The cover:

* Title Page(s)
* Copyright page
* Translators
* Epigraph (and associated image):

It's a Barnum and Bailey world,
just as phony as it can be,
But it wouldn't be make-believe
if you believed in me

"It's Only a Paper Moon,"
-Billy Rose and E. Y. "Yip" Harburg

I'll start making categories for chapter sets soon. The official start date for reading is March 1st but feel free to join us anytime.

1Q84 e-book purchase links:


Kindle: amazon.com:

1Q84 (Currently $10.99)

Nook: barnesandnoble.com:

1Q84 (Currently $12.99)

[Andrew, Wound Up]

Two quick confessions: I read this novel before, almost exactly two years ago (in what was apparently a reading whirlwind over 17 days) and I think Murakami is the bees knees.

My wish for this re-read is that I'll be able to better appreciate this novel as I get the opportunity to discuss it with other readers!

This cover set isn't my favorite. The third cover pictured is a plastic sleeve with the three individual books enclosed - I saw it in person at the bookstore and must admit it is quite impressive. My Kindle features the first cover (a woman's face with the title cutout superimposed over it). It is notable in that Murakami's name is the most prominently presented information. I like the second cover but it evokes the wrong type of Fantasy. My favorite might be the Orwellian throwback with the yellow title and aqua background.

I think Jay Rubin is a wonderful translator. I highly recommend you listen to a short interview with him that you can find here: New Yorker Rubin Interview "Translating Murakami".

I love the epigraph and we'll revisit it at some point in our discussions.

[Michelle, Overrun By Pets]

I have the cover with the female face. She is very pretty and I think she is wearing a white hat which I like. This is not, however, my favorite cover. I like the cover on the first line fourth in from the right of the landscape at night with the moon. There is something a bit alien about it. I also like the second cover in the second row. I am a sucker for anything that looks like it might be a Hitchcock thriller.

I really like the song "It's Only a Paper Moon" especially when Ella Fitzgerald sings it.

The only Haruki Murakami I have read was a A Wild Sheep Chase, which I very much enjoyed. I'm looking forward to reading a longer installment.

[Sarah]

I also have the cover with the female in the white hat on it. My favorite cover is the second cover on the top row. I find it intriguing that there are so many different elements included on the cover and wonder how they all fit into the book.

I am looking forward to tackling a large read and have heard many good things about Murakami's writings.