Comments on: Chip Kidd Discusses the Book Jacket for Haruki Murakami’s Forthcoming Novel 1Q84

By: Handmade Jewelry

Handmade Jewelry — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:31:21 +0000

I’m a big fan of Murakami and this is certainly one of his finest novels, right there with works like The Wind Up Bird Chronicle, Norwegian Wood, and Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. Similarly to those works, reading the novel felt like slowly sinking into a well of dreams, and being enveloped in a mood of curiosity and off hand beauty/absurdity.

So overall, if you love his novels like me, this is a must read and a good time : If you have never read him, you might want to start with something shorter like Hard Boiled Wonderland.

By: PTNYC

PTNYC — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:42:49 +0000

Chip Kidd did an amazing job designing the book. As usual, I took off the cover jacket while I was reading it, so it wouldn’t get damaged, so most of my experience reading it was spent on the less flashy, but elegantly suggestive interior design: the mirrored titles on opposite pages, the moons in the section breaks, and the reflected page numbers rising and falling like the the staircase into and out of 1Q84. Having just finished the book, I think it is one of Murakami’s most satisfying and brilliant. There is especially a lot to think about if you are obsessed about recent Japanese history, in particular Aum Shinrikyo. All in all a totally aesthetically satisfying experience, heightened even more by the great book design.

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:51:40 +0000

To “Michael’ [3/25/2011 entry]: It would be “novel” for a novel not to have the word, novel, printed on the cover.

But all seriousness aside [as Steve Allen used to say], thanks, Chip Kidd, for telling me that the cover material is “vellum.” I wondered. Wondered if it was rice paper or something because of the Japanese connection. But felt it was so strong, durable, and had to be something else. Good job to say the least – which I didn’t achieve, noting the length of this entry.

By: Paula D Coykendall

Paula D Coykendall — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:34:55 +0000

Not only is the best book jacket ever, but the whole presentation of this beautifully bound and printed book is astonishing. I can honestly say that I’ve never bought a new hardcover book and felt I’d gotten more than my money’s worth. Each page has an attention to detail new to this reader’s eyes – on each page the title 1Q84 is printed in the margin in either normal or “mirrored” lettering, further emphasizing the “off-kilter” feeling of the alternate reality in the story. Even the paper of the pages is superior to the usual book. It’s an honor to own this amazing book! My thanks to the publisher!

By: Joel

Joel — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:54:18 +0000

Beautiful work! For the first time, I felt inspired to blog about a book's design, even before reading the book!

By: Diana

Diana — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:08:42 +0000

I read the first chapter. As ever, Murakami is one of the most amazing writers today. I almost can’t wait to read this.

By: Campanilla

Campanilla — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 22:27:55 +0000

seriously.. but unfortunately I couldn t find a link for you. all pics in internet looks just grey. the real cover is matt finished silver, the title has big glossy silver letters and the author s name is green, screaming green coloured. very special and I am looking forward november for part 3, hope the design fits:)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:02:02 +0000

@ Campanilla: Umm… seriously?!

By: Campanilla

Campanilla — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:39:52 +0000

LESS IS MORE:
I recommend to take a look on the German book jacket “1Q84″ (published by Dumont)! Silver background with green letters: impressing and powerfull as the story is!

By: Georgiana

Georgiana — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:28:31 +0000

beautiful cover….BUT, I do hate the ‘a novel’ at the bottom, it really spoils it. Anyone buying this book is not an idiot.