Reading Diary: 1Q84

13.11 2025 Book 1: pp. 361–392, Book 2: pp. 1–37

I just finished the last few pages of book 1, and the helplessness to let the story root in my head is terrifying. People often say we get to experience different lives in books, but I feel something entirely different now: reading is a process of fully embracing the characters, and it’s a moment when we set aside our own values. We are only containers of thoughts, and we need to, at least temporarily, change the content. And here comes the terrifying aspect: some content may therefore stay permanently! Thus, reading is a moment of letting others experience us…

14.11 2025 Book 2: pp. 38–65

So, there is a connection between the protagonists! I’ve always thought that since their stories appear in the same book (like a gun in a novel), they must meet each other at some point, like The Devil All The Time, but it’s even more exciting in this one! Their connection started way back in adolescence, and how moving that they still think of each other, even though it’s been 20 years. The word ‘moving’ is actually a lame word to describe it… Time to expand vocabulary.

Do you have someone who has had an impact on you since you met them, even if only briefly?

18.11 2025 Book 2: pp. 128–250

I’ve always felt that love is the most vulnerable and unreliable thing ever: it may disappear like it has never existed. Meanwhile, it has been described as something so strong that it can sometimes defeat objects with actual metaphysical forms. I’ve questioned whether it’s just mindless worship about love or a way to control society. Now I think I understand it a bit better: it can be a form of willpower, a way of persistence.

19.11 2025 Book 2: pp. 251–352

Love is like a thin thread. When it’s activated, it is strong enough to pull people out of comfort and safety. People who have love put themselves in all kinds of danger.

Love is also a spell. Even in danger, those people don’t blame anyone or anything. They got there voluntarily and happily.

22.11.2025 Book 3: p. 86

Reading about this part of being careful about possible consequences, it’s a brilliant metaphor to say that while we tend to use ‘consequence’ to simplify the world, a choice or an action is practically an engine that opens a new path, a different future. Thinking that we have this power overwhelms me.

I also can’t stop thinking about determinism. I need a book to inspire me. While it sounds like it’s up to our choice regarding what the future will be like, aren’t we also determined by other things to make that choice?

22.11.2025 Book 3: p. 165

Reading this page, I suddenly recall the criticism put on Murakami in particular about how he objectifies women in his stories, as if women just naturally want to be loved by men and nothing more. Actually I hope nobody would ever read this passage of mine, because I’m afraid of getting involved in any turmoil. But honestly, I don’t feel that offended. (I hope I’m not just naturally obedient…) I think it’s just different ways of viewing women, like anyone or anything. Otherwise, wouldn’t we just be left with unified perceptions due to censorship? I think sometimes it’s just about finding the importance of our work, and that importance may be more fabricated and exaggerated than real. I have that difficulty with my work. I like doing theory, and I’ve always found it hard to explain why it’s practically important. It might not give instructions on how to build up or run a machine, but it’s still something that’s in the dark. Isn’t it then important?

later that day…

This is later tonight. I’m reading while giving my lesson. I know it’s unprofessional, but the stuff is too… suddenly, I started thinking about the notes here and realized something else… maybe it was because seeing Niuhe also likes contradicting himself… I started questioning my verdict before, as it might be after all a mere defense for the author, whose stories I like so much that I was merely trying to find a possible way to defend him, and at the same time, I somehow convinced myself, unconsciously of course, that it was right… I’m always scared of my brain, which might spontaneously decide not to let me see or hear certain things… how can I decide whether to believe what I think?

to continue…