GAME OF TOMES: 1Q84 - the weirdest book we've ever read? ft.

[@juntadna]

Q sounds like "kyu" which is 9 in Japanese, so 1Q84 is 1984.

[@JolyKirganr]

this video’s take really clicks with some of the things I've been reading in ebook magnetic aura from Borlest

[@myweakness1883]

"I hope my breasts give an intellectual impression" is an interesting way to start a book discussion video 😂 Lmao, I can't believe he wrote this

[@damon-ob5et]

1Q84, weirdly, is my favourite Murakami in spite of the terrible writing of women, which I see so clearly and hate so deeply. And yet, the rest of the book felt like it was written specifically for me as someone who did grow up and has since left the Jehovah's Witnesses. The strange relationship towards reality that it captures was so powerful to me, and in that sense it was also very much like a religious experience in reading it: it felt like Murakami was really saying like 'things are this way, just because they are.' Which is the constant argument one encounters growing up in religious organisations with really strict doctrines. So to me it really deals with the religious imagination in a truly masterful way and I've yet to encounter a book where I could see that done so deeply, but also with such nuance and without really ever telling it directly. Where I could just understand it, knowing that most other people wouldn't be able to take that from it at all.

[@hellopaulie]

Interesting perspective. I'm glad that you shared it because I think you're onto something. It really makes sense from that angle.

[@watayaarata3993]

I might be the only one who loved this book and gave it five stars. The writing was so fascinating (i read this in french) and it kept being mysterious till the end. The fact that i didn't find it offending how he describes females may sound weird coming from a woman but i just didn't think he was over doing it. It's just his way and his style and it does make him unique. The comparisons in the book made burst into laughter a lot of times. And finally the repetition that everyone hates made feel even deeper the characters cause when someone is stuck in a moment of their lives they just tend to go back to it over and over again. Well i loved this book so much and i couldn't get over it although i finished it like last month. It left me with a very weird sensation and made me feel like i might just look out at the sky and find two moons there.

[@nikiedewael3766]

You made me buy this big boy … (together with some other Murakamis, The phantom of the opera, Rilke, …) It is dangerous for me to follow you guys… or at least expensive 😂

[@sreejanichavidi6901]

This is the best comment I've ever seen

[@emmiereads]

haha sorry!! the library is always a wonderful alternative

[@leonasindlerova1727]

Omg I had no idea that you're going to read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, or I forgot about it. One of my favourite books!

[@MYMOTHERISAFISH-ci2ts]

This book was an absolute fever dream. Some of my favourite writers are Clarice Lispector,Kafka,Borges and Laszlo Krasznahorkai and I haven't read anything this weird and dreamlike from them. The only other three writers whom I'd consider as weird would probably be Thomas Pynchon, Can xue and Mircea Cartarescu even then I am not sure if they are AS weird.

[@Mentat1231]

For what it's worth, there will, in fact, be two moons in the sky for a little while. But, I'm sure it's nothing like what you mean here. (I haven't read 1Q84... and now, likely won't!)

[@vishal7arora]

My hypothesis around 1q84 is that Murakami had zero idea where to go after book two and under pressure to complete his 'magnum opus', just rambled through it. He doubled down on his obvious misogyny in describing women & his often forced metaphysical opinions. For me, his worst book. It is not a coincidence that this was the first time he wrote a woman as a narrator for these many pages & how shit it is, at times.

[@old.fezziwig]

I was disappointed by this book. When I first started watching booktube at the start of the pandemic, it was on so many people's shelves. Nobody had read it yet - I didn't see any reviews - but I put it on my shelf and waited for 4.5 years, while I read some of his other books. I was excited to read 1Q84 with Game of Tomes but I agree with everything Emma and Carolyn said. It was just troubling. I DNF'd after a couple hundred pages and I think Murakami has an obsession he's not admitting to himself. He needs an editor or a therapist to challenge him to write a novel without mentioning breasts.

[@marah5702]

i personally HATED this book lol but excited to see your takes!

[@AdriFVA]

25:18 There are two moons in the sky currently, actually. The second one is really tiny and temporary, but it is there until the end of November 😊

[@RisticXMMII]

Yes! I just read that also :) Very cool

[@oumaimasbooks]

This was my first Murakami a few years ago. I read the first book but I couldn't continue the second one. I haven't picked up any Murakami since then😂

[@Nisanatreads]

Did you cut your conversation? It feels like you've cut the video to not make it too long and I was a bit disappointed at times because of that. Especially at the end when you started to talk about Murakamis explanation for how he writes women, it feels like you just cut there and I would've liked to hear more of your discussion around that and especially Emma's reasoning for saying "as a literature student I don't buy that". Don't take my criticism to heart though, I do love your discussions and enjoy hearing you talk. I just wish there was more and that you wouldn't shorten it.

[@Nisanatreads]

also maybe I'm dumb and there's an uncut version for Patreons or something like that and I'm complaining for nothing?

[@emmiereads]

We had over an hour of footage so yes this is pretty cut up! We've had a lot of requests in the past to make our discussions shorter and more compact - but hopefully we can have a few longer ones in the future :)

[@Nisanatreads]

@@emmiereads aw shucks, that's too bad! I hope you can find a good in-between:)

[@Kyle4k9]

@@emmiereads Never trust a taxi driver who tells you to get out on the freeway, or anybody who tells you to make your videos shorter. We love every minute you have to share.🙂

[@kthmtchll]

@@emmiereads maybe the uncut version on one of your guys' channels and edited version on the other? a hater-proof option haha

[@penultimateh766]

Well thanks to you ladies I'm finally reading War and Peace, so I hope you're proud of yourselves because I'm getting repetitive stress injuries from carrying that brick around...

[@kimbarbeaureads]

I'm thankful I didn't buy a copy of that thing. Murakami is definitely not for me. If he gets in Diddy trouble I wouldn't be a bit surprised.

[@vitoriar8753]

YESSSSSS OMG FINALLY i was checking my notifs tab everyday for this!!!! didn't read the book but murakami has always intrigued me and emma's reaction to this book intrigued me even harder 🥴🥴🥴 i rly wanted to see a broader discussion on it GOD IM SO HAPPY

[@Vipzy1]

Can we stop the whole “I know he is misogynistic and writes terrible female characters BUT…” There is no BUT, let’s agree that he sucks and that it actually takes away from the other possible good things he writes… he sucks

[@stardustajm8618]

An author can be an allegedly terrible person and still write a good book. Let's stop pretending that only good people make good art and bad people made bad art.

[@panikiczcock2891]

Agreed. That aspect makes his books completely unenjoyable for me.

[@hellebartelsen8208]

I think I've read four or five of Murakami's books. I read 1Q84 shotly after it was published. I only remember two scenes from the book, which are burned into my imagination forever. One is the scene on the motorway in the beginning, the other is a description of the moon. My brain is weird that way. I flew through it. I read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell earlier this year and was really captivated by it. I've never read a book quite like it. It's been living rent-free in my mind ever since. I am looking forward to your discussion about it!

[@helloiamanintrovert]

Can we please get Game of Tomes Merch? I would love to run around in my city with a Game of Tomes Bookclub tote bag, lol

[@PatrikOrjes]

Great discussion, it was really interesting to listen to! I had similar-ish problems with Kafka on the Shore when I read it last year, I enjoyed most of it but there were several parts that I really hated. It was an interesting experience for sure. I'm intrigued and I would like to read more Murakami but I'm probably going to skip 1Q84 for now.

[@georginahu]

Omg thank you for this video. I read the book (in Chinese) early this year but couldn’t give reviews. I think I love it but I don’t really know how I feel about it. Oh well after this video I still don’t know how I’m going to rate it but if other people ask me about my thoughts, I can direct them to this video.

[@Samantha-rg5mc]

Please read Killing Commendatore 🙏🏼

[@jenn9049]

oh my head is already hurting . i'm not ready lol

[@dianaayt]

This was one of my favorite murakami books and i dont find it very hard at all. Have you read murakamis book something and the end of the world? That is much crazier. I have a love story very close to 1q84 so i just remember crying a lot bc i knew exactly what they were feeling. Sometimes i fele like me and murakami went through the same bc he has many relationships like this in his books and thays what makes them feelnlike they were written for me. But me and my love story didnt end up talking about it under the moon like them 😂

[@mishelly]

I loved Norwegian wood too. But I DNF’d this one!! 🤣 I could not! I have already purged the beast from my library. It’s been traded at my buy sell trade store!

[@ShamitaLakshmeshwar]

YOU QUITE LITERALLY PUT INTO WORDS EXACTLY WHY I LOVE MURAKAMIS NOVELS . I always felt like such a weirdo for adoring his books so thank you so much for articulating exactly why his works captivated me and changed my life. ❤❤❤

[@stardustajm8618]

I cannot stop myself from thinking the title is IQ84 instead of *1*Q84

[@thanostziampazis2734]

Tbh i started murakami with that book and instantly fell in love. Have read every single murakami book right after and 1q84 still holds a very special place in my heart. Greetings from Greece

[@konstantina09]

After Dark was my first Murakami novel and ten years later even though I’ve read most of his books, I think that’s my top 1. It’s amazingly atmospheric

[@t2piline]

Love the video ❤ To those who haven't started with Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, there is a 20th aniversary edition on Aubible read by Richard Armitage and Neil Gaiman, two wonderful narrators❤ It just came out mid september.

[@chloeallwright7343]

Caroline your next murakami should be killing commendatore!! About an artist, a little bit spooky and perfect for fall!!!

[@MaBelleIndifference]

Kafka on the Shore was my first Murakami and probably my favourite. Also really enjoyed his more recent works, First Person Singular and Killing Commendatore.

[@JohnSaxon-vw5vi]

I am glad that I am able to be back and watching your amazing videos but it’s at the cost of my mom’s life as she has passed away due to cancer so I’m just looking forward to seeing your amazing work with your best friend to ❤❤❤

[@mingkle9127]

I actually really enjoyed the 3 books (I have those version that is separated in 3 so I had breaks after each book) but same sentiment with Carolyn, that ending was such a huge wtf. I was waiting for more! Are they going to get caught by supernatural or humans that they angered? And I also hate how FukaEri just disappeared! No explanation like she was just a plot item. That book made me intrigued and frustrated. But I had a great time tho.

[@1OldPacman]

"let's talk about some boobs" Hell yeah Rock 'n roll and murakami boobs stuff

[@RisticXMMII]

So coincidental! I literally finished this entire book today after four months of "intermittent reading" hahhaa ~ So happy you girls felt the same as I did. Although I enjoyed the book, I felt bereft by the ending. Within the span of a couple ending passages, Aomame went from cold hard assassin to lovesick mama. I don't mind the love aspect, since we know Aomame can love, but I mostly found it disheartening in comparison to Tengo. She tried to find Tengo, but Tengo never made any moves to find her. Not to mention how quickly the story wrapped up after literally hundreds of pages of build-up and every minute detail fleshed out on the page, only to end it rather quickly. It felt like Murakami in those very last few pages just wanted to get it over with or something XD

[@ba-gg6jo]

One hell of an intro. I loved After Dark and A Wild Sheep Chase. I have still to finish this one. I still feel there is an element of the Emperors new clothes with this author. Yes he is inventive, but he can also ramble which in the main adds little to the story. Perhaps being a Westerner it is a cultural thing, I would love to hear from Japanese readers as to their thoughts. Loved your chat by the way.

[@SariLoikkanen]

read the forbidden book Magnetic Aura on Borlest, and you'll see the secrets they're keeping from us.

[@anwei1448]

Oh, you've finally picked up this book! I personally found it weird too (not in a good way), with its female characters somewhat stereotyped (as in Murakami's works) and a flat plot (good premise, bad execution). The book would improve if he polished its mystery and surrealism. Not to mention the flaky motives of the characters. However, others may find it to be great. I just don't think this one is his better works and would give it a 6/10. Reading it was akin to reading a pseudo-intellectual's essay where every situation is dragged out and each word is tiringly perfect. Yes, dry, drab, and banal would be how I describe this book. Anyone planning on reading it should never read the entire set in one go. I made that mistake and was so bored by the end of it. It's better suited to read both parts separately as it was originally written.

[@monikatabak9474]

This was my very first Murakami😂😂😂Look, what you made me do! Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, it was a wild ride, but I stuck till the end. I do not know how, but I did it. I wouldn't say I liked it, but I am proud of myself.

[@mediumjohnsilver]

I read _1Q84_ in 2020 and liked it a lot. My perspective on it was that Aomame and Tengo were really side characters in the story of the cult and the menace it represented. We don’t see the main conflict of the cult versus the rest of Japanese society, and we don’t have to. This is Aomame’s and Tengo’s story, so I did like that the book ended with their escape from the world of 1Q84, rather than with a battle between the law and the cult.

[@sitiannisa3036]

It was my first Murakami, couldn't remember whether i liked it or not

[@Cubehead27]

I have fully given up on keeping up with the club at this point but am thoroughly enjoying watching everyone's reactions from the sidelines 😆 one of these days I'll definitely give the book another try and discover what all the hubbub's been about

[@helengrover6709]

I really wish I had seen this video before I bought the book?!!!! Glad I bought it used!

[@jamesduggan7200]

sorry you had to muddle through so many pages of something you didn't enjoy - as an idea, for the next installation of the reading club maybe chose rereads? Anyway, good to see you both again; take care.

[@carolinesmercantile4290]

The Q stands for questions, so I have heard! You definitely confirmed this! #HarukiMurakami

[@Kyle4k9]

“I don't talk about the goat.” But thank you, Emma and Carolyn, for another great collaboration! You rock!

[@klara7068]

I absolutely adore your book club discussions🩷🩷🩷

[@barbaralemon4170]

I have read most of his books and I have loved all of them! Don't let this one keep you from reading more.

[@tinagarcia3571]

I didn't like this book but I honestly think that is how most men are and the men we see in society are coding their thoughts 24/7.

[@junibacken729]

So happy I read Wind up bird chronicles instead 😂

[@jasmin_is_reading]

Oh dear, I missed you together❤

[@vanessafeitosa00]

Also emmie you look stunning in this vid

[@Luna-wm8nl]

You all who are reading this book have no idea what are getting into.

[@siobhaneringde]

my 2 favorite ppl 😭

[@cheyzah]

excited to watch this! i read it with uguys and enjoyed it haahah

[@vanessafeitosa00]

Adoro a dinâmica de vocês duas. Queria ter uma amiga que nem a carolyn ou a emmie❤

[@Maryjane022]

This is fun! Both amazing 💕💕☺️

[@VikkyKangShih]

this format really suits me

[@MariyaOomori]

really liked this video

[@leander8840]

comment for visibility

[@saranshnegi6535]

There just when you need her!

[@TaimiTuikka]

best!!!

[@ayumi_kh]

So excited!!!

[@saranshnegi6535]

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy 🥺🥺✨✨

[@tyriqcleo5899]

Aranara

[@Heothbremel]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@heaijia916]

Is it possible you post which book you are going to read, so I can read with you😂 . I like your informal book club❤

[@owlsandrainbownerds]

Hi! There's a video up that goes over the books for the year but for September/October we're reading Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell and for November/December it's going to be Little Women. In the description you can find a link to their bookclub where people have discussions on the app Fable.

[@PorothPorcupine]

🫶🏻📚

[@vasilisashakurova743]

My grandma died yesterday and I really needed something to cheer me up. Thanks

[@jenniferstaley5966]

Sorry for your loss.🙏

[@aaaamnaaaa]

Aomame working as an assassin that kills abusive men is giving Yor in Spy x Family ( I started reading it at your recommendation and am LOVING IT!!!!)

[@emmiereads]

ah yes I cannot wait to continue with Spy x Family - so happy you're loving it:')

[@aaaamnaaaa]

@@emmiereads ❤️

[@canopus78]

Jajajajakaka..!!

[@canopus78]

Tu amiga es genial..😂

[@OldManReads-c9r]

Murakami has become one of my favorite writers over the last decade. I've read 10 or so of his books and love them all. Kafka on the Shore is my favorite, closely followed by The Wind Up Bird Chronicle. As far as the way he write young men's thoughts of women, it may be off-putting to many, but young guys have pretty gross thoughts, especially between 15 and 27ish when our hormones are going crazy... he actually captures it pretty well. Most writers just aren't open about it, especially today. The cultural difference is huge too, society in Japan is much different than the US, and the differences between the sexes is completely different.

[@kandi_canel.5730]

OMG! I would never want to read a book with 1300+ pages!! What can be said in 400 or less would be sufficient enough!

[@markhnk]

so basically the novel is all about garden gnomes and boobs.

[@danmoord375]

This is going to sound like I know something you don't, but please give it a chance. Murakami is introducing you to a level of consciousness that already exists within you, but conditioning prevents you from recognizing it yourself. If you want to know more, check out non-duality.When you described the things you liked about Murakami's writing, you were also describing how his writing brings to the surface an awareness that wasn't realized before. This awareness aligns with the understanding that non-duality provides.

[@ShastaStitches]

I couldn’t finish it 🫣 and it’s my first from this author. Going to take your recommendation and try another of his, but this one was just not it for me lol great video and discussion tho! 🤍

[@mhazelim]

this is the conversation i have been waiting for yeeears after reading 1Q84.. soo great! 🫶