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1Q84 (Books 1, 2 and 3)
Haruki Murakami
2012
Vintage
pp. 1318
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About the Books:
The trilogy is a fictional account of the year 1984. Set in Japan, the story revolves around the experiences of two main characters, Tengo and Aomame. Their interconnected lives and distant, yet shared experiences lead them to what can best be described as a parallel world, that Aomame calls ‘1Q84’ and Tengo comes to refer to as the ‘cat town’.
Filled with mystery, romance, crime, religion, and philosophy, the books are a fascinating narrative. Oscillating between the perspectives of the characters in the book, the vivid descriptions lead the readers to imagine the lives in 1Q84. The writing is so gripping and powerful that the lines between the real and virtual would get blurred, and not just in the books!
While the story in itself is imaginative and engaging, it is the style of writing that is unusually captivating. Having said that, let’s be realistic about what the book is actually about. There are essentially a few loose strands in the story: Tengo and Aomame’s love story that never was and yet was somehow meant to be; the accidental entry and planned exit of Aomame in 1Q84; the mysterious cult religion of Sakigake; and the dowager who takes upon herself to cleanse society. You would expect in a trilogy of this volume to tie up all the strands in the end. Yet, you are left with many unanswered questions even when the story ends. At times it is slow moving and therefore the expectations rise towards the end. Some of these are not met.
Final Analysis:
The book cover presents The Times’ review of it as “A work of maddening brilliance”. Maddening brilliance it is. If you are one to look for logic and consistency in a book, this is probably not for you. If you like absurd literature, then you would love it.