1Q84

by Haruki Murakami
1Q84 cover
Good Books rating 3.81
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Paperback • £16.99
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Technical
  • ID: 425
  • Added: 2025-09-11
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781846556692
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Formats: 33
  • Reviews: 4

In this haunting ode to George Orwell's '1984,' the stories of Aomame, a skilled assassin for a secret organization, and Tengo, a mathematics lecturer and aspiring writer, intertwine in a world that feels familiar yet unsettlingly different. As Aomame discovers she has been transported to an alternate reality, she must navigate a dangerous landscape where the rules of her world no longer apply. Tengo, meanwhile, becomes increasingly entangled in a mysterious manuscript that seems to hold the key to understanding the strange occurrences around him. As their narratives unfold, the boundaries between reality and fiction blur, and the stakes grow higher. The novel explores themes of control, free will, and the power of storytelling in a world that seems determined to suppress the truth.

Reviews
Fantasy Book Review · 2025-12-18
engaging 4.50

The story is curious and idiosyncratic, with a dystopian and fantastical tone that spans over 900 pages. The sexual content is overt and integrated into the narrative.

This book is a wild ride through a dystopian world that feels both familiar and alien. The characters are deeply flawed, and their journeys are filled with moments of introspection and raw emotion. The sexual content is not just gratuitous but serves to highlight the characters' vulnerabilities and desires. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the story to unfold in a way that keeps the reader engaged throughout its lengthy narrative. It's a book that demands patience but rewards those who stick with it.

Quick quotes

    The story is curious, idiosyncratic, dystopian, fantastical, overtly sexualised - all this and more over the course of some 900 pages.

    Murakami's writing is both poetic and provocative, creating a world that is both captivating and unsettling.

    The characters are deeply flawed, and their journeys are filled with moments of introspection and raw emotion.

Jeroen's Thoughts · Jeroen · 2023-05-01
great 4.50

The reviewer admires Murakami's sense of pacing and his ability to make each scene unfold deliberately, keeping the reader engaged throughout.

Jeroen's review emphasizes Murakami's skill in pacing and scene development, noting that the author always has something interesting to convey. The deliberate unfolding of scenes is particularly praised, as it keeps the reader hooked and invested in the story. Jeroen appreciates the way Murakami builds tension and intrigue, making the reading experience both enjoyable and satisfying. The reviewer also highlights the depth of the characters and the richness of the narrative, which contribute to the overall appeal of the book.

Quick quotes

    Murakami has a great sense of pacing, and for letting scenes unfold in deliberate ways, and for always having something interesting to tell.

    The deliberate unfolding of scenes is particularly praised, as it keeps the reader hooked and invested in the story.

    The depth of the characters and the richness of the narrative contribute to the overall appeal of the book.

Thoughts on Papyrus · 2020-09-04
disappointing 2.00

The novel is criticized for being repetitive, overwritten, and contrived, with an overblown narrative that ultimately feels empty despite its ambitious scope.

The reviewer offers a candid and critical perspective on 1Q84, describing it as an overly long and repetitive work that fails to deliver on its ambitious premise. While acknowledging the novel's blend of whimsical romance and magical realism, the review highlights significant flaws in pacing and style, suggesting that the story feels like an 'overblown cocoon filled with nothingness.' This perspective suggests the novel's complexity may not translate into a satisfying reading experience for everyone.

Quick quotes

    Unforgivingly contrived, repetitive and overwritten.

    1Q84 is like an overblown cocoon filled with nothingness.

    A whimsical romance epic with elements of magical realism.

Readers' High Tea · 2018-03-04
captivating 4.25

The book is warmly recommended for its suspenseful and bizarre narrative that captivates readers through its unique blend of reality and fantasy.

This review warmly endorses 1Q84, highlighting its ability to captivate with a suspenseful and bizarre story that blends elements of fantasy and reality. The reviewer appreciates how Murakami creates an immersive world that challenges readers' perceptions and keeps them engaged throughout the novel. The recommendation suggests that readers who enjoy complex narratives with mysterious and surreal elements will find much to appreciate in this novel.

Quick quotes

    I warmly recommend reading 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami.

    It is a suspenseful and bizarre book which will surely captivate.

    The world with a question mark.

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