Sunday, March 10, 2013

Dusk


Finishing a really thick book is like saying good-bye to an old friend. That's exactly how I felt when I turned the final page of Haruki Murakami's 1Q84.

This novel isn't Murakami's best work, I feel. But I took my time with it, spending a few chapters every night, slowly reading each word. I got lost in the make-believe world of 1Q84, with its 2 moons, little people coming out of dead people's mouths, and the frequent references to Janáček's Sinfonietta.

I think that's the allure of doorstops, those thick books that require commitment and stamina. Since you spent a great deal of time with them, you're very much sad to let them go. 1Q84 had 1,150 pages, and there were indeed times when I felt that I might as well throw the book in the air unfinished.

I'll stop posting my further thoughts on this book for a later entry. We're still meeting this week to cap off the discussion of this book, which was our selection for a read-along lasting for more than 2 months. I sure would love to hear the thoughts of the other members of the book club on this much-sensationalized work by one of Japan's contemporary novelists.

Now I'm scanning my shelves on which doorstop to read next. Should I read Proust's Remembrance of Things Past? Or Cervantes's Don Quixote? Decisions, decisions...

9 comments:

bennardfajardo said...

I will one day attempt to read door stops of such magnitude but I feel that I am not yet ready. I already failed once by discontinuing Les Miserables but I will attempt again this year by reading Don Quixote and the first volume of Remembrance of Things Past.

Tina said...

I felt relief and accomplishment when I finished reading Les Miserables, and also some sort of...emptiness? Haha, I mean it only because I don't have to go back to reading a book that I've been reading for 45 days. So I know now how this feels. :)

Now I feel like I can read anything. Haha. My next chunkster book will be Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. I figure one chunkster per quarter should be okay for me for now. :)

Peter S. said...

Hello, Bennard! I guess a buddy read would help, no? At least there are people who will push you on to complete it!

Hi, Tina! So true! Good luck on your next chunkster!

Lynai said...

The last chunkster I've read is The Historian but it wasn't a labor for me. I remember trudging on through Game of Thrones and when I turned the last page, I remember heaving a huge sigh. Haha. I'll be buddy reading another chunkster soon (Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell). I want to read Murakami too but I guess I'll start with his shorter ones first. :)

Peter S. said...

Good luck on Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Lynai! I'm sure it'll be fun!

Louize DG said...

The last door stop I've read was the final book of the Inheritance cycle by C. Paolini. And you nailed it, it was like saying goodbye to a friend.

This coming months, we've scheduled (like what Lynai mentioned) Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, and House of Leaves. So, good luck sa reading schedules namin. hahahaha

I wish you all the patience with Don Quixote. Maybe after reading it, you'll also feel the compulsion to sit with him in Madrid like I did.

Peter S. said...

Hi, Louize! Thanks! I'll need all the luck that I can get with Don Quixote, if ever I do decide on reading it soon.

Rise said...

Haruki gave indications that there's a possible sequel or prequel to the book. So you're not finished with this, Peter. haha.

Peter S. said...

LOL! Aieeeee! I don't have the stamina for that anymore!