1Q84

So I finally finished 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami.

And I have to admit.

I didn't really like it.

And I think it could be a 400 to 500 page book instead of 925. (I know, I know, what the hell do I know?)

This NYTimes article gets at the root of my many issues with the novel. Except I have a much bigger issue with Murakami's description of female characters than the reviewer did (or than the reviewer let on). I often don't really pay attention to the gender of the author of the book I am reading, but as I read the book, I never once forgot that the author was male. This doesn't have to be a bad thing, but this time I felt it tarnished the story...I just didn't believe a number of the characters.

This makes me sad, because I love me a Murakami novel. And it makes me think about how things don't live up to expectations. Like how when I was 13, I thought I'd be married and with child by the time I was 26. Ha. Or how I thought I was destined to be the next Halle Berry (there is still time, ya'll! But really...probably not happening). Or how good I expect the scones to be at The Rose every time I go back to England (and they were good the last time I was there, but they weren't as good as I expected/remembered). The expectations I had for my mid-twenties have been rattled here in reality land. I say all of this to say that I expected to love 1Q84. Instead, it took me over a month to read it and the most interesting part to me was the role/importance of the moon.

But, hey, I really like the moon and I love stories that focus on the moon so...maybe all is well?

I'll still be on line to get your next one, Haruki Murakami, but help me out and make it shorter and really really good. Okay? Much love, C.