1Q84 cover
Good Books rating 3.69
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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
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.

The Book Habit · 2013-08-15
intriguing 4.00

The novel skillfully balances dual narratives and explores themes of reality and fiction, emphasizing the concept of balance throughout its structure and story.

This review appreciates how 1Q84 intertwines the lives of Tengo and Aomame, creating a unique structure that alternates chapters between the two protagonists, symbolizing a thematic balance. The novel is praised for its exploration of the collision between reality and fiction, invoking Orwell's 1984 to discuss totalitarianism and moral ambiguity, which enriches the narrative's depth and complexity. The reviewer views the story as a thoughtful meditation on perception and duality, with the characters representing complementary forces within the novel's surreal world.


Quick quotes

    1Q84 is a world with two moons in the sky, where Air Chrysalis...

    Murakami’s emphasis on balance permeates 1Q84 to a unique degree.

    The two central characters are set up as presenting some kind of balance to one another.