Two moons

I’ve just finished reading Huaki Murakami’s latest novel IQ84. At around 1200 pages it’s not a lightweight book. I bought it when in Germany a month ago and only just finished it – and I am an avid reader. I became engaged with the characters – even the unlikeable ones. But I didn’t get the link between this story and Orwell’s famous novel (1984). The main theme of that dystopian novel, about state control over peoples’ lives seems strangely absent. Indeed in IQ84 the opposite is the case. The state seems to have hardly any control over the characters’ more nefarious activities.

One theme that runs through the book is the appearance of two moons, signifying a character’s presence (or awareness of being) in an alternate universe. Two moons- where have I heard that before? It took me a while before it clicked - it’s a seemingly throwaway stanza from REM’s ‘Nightswimming’

I’m pining for the moon
But what if there were two
Side by side in orbit
Around the fairest sun

This is such a quixotic stanza I have often wondered what Michael Stipe was alluding to when he wrote it. I am also wondering if Murakami lifted this image from this song (its possible as he is a bit of western music buff - one of his books is named after a Beatles song) or whether the symbol of two moons has a deeper literary or Japanese cultural significance. I’m not going to lose any sleep over this - but if anyone has any answers any answers or ideas feel free to comment…..

While thinking about this question I turned to Tony Fletchers excellent, if somewhat excessively reverent, biography of REM which has some in-depth discussions of some of their lyrics –although sadly not this one. Browsing the topic on Wikipedia I saw that Chris Martin (of Coldplay) once said it’s the best song ever written. I’m tempted to agree.

As for IQ84 being the best novel ever written. I don’t have a list. I think that different books work for different people at different stages in their lives. (I’m going to revise that position –my favourite novel is Kerouac’s Dharma Bums – which I read at an impressionable age and set a map for my life for years. I was recently reunited with my copy after a separation of more than ten years – but that’s another story). Certainly IQ84 is the best novel I’ve read for a couple of years. I kind of resisted the idea at first as I found the last couple of his books that I read a bit ‘samey’. But this one really is to be recommended. Put it on your holiday reading list.