In the book "1Q84" by Haruki Murakami, a character named Tamaru suggests reading Proust's "In Search of Lost Time" if one has the time to fully engage with it. This remark highlights that to truly appreciate Proust's extensive work, one might need a significant amount of uninterrupted time, which is often likened to being in jail or hiding away.

The conversation emphasizes the idea that modern life, with its distractions, often makes it hard to commit to lengthy literary works. The humor in the statement reflects a broader cultural commentary about how the circumstances of life can influence one's reading habits and experiences with literature.