1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
●Synopsis
・Setting
A world resembling Tokyo in 1984, but slightly different.
Aomame calls it “1Q84.”
The question “Is this really real?” dominates the story.
・Aomame’s Part
Aomame is a fitness instructor, but her true identity is that of an assassin who executes men who abuse women.
On her way home from a mission, urged by her taxi driver to descend a highway emergency staircase, she finds herself lost in “1Q84,” a world different from the original 1984.
In this world, two moons float in the sky.
Aomame is tasked with assassinating the leader of the cult “Sakigake,” who has been abusing young girls.
The leader possesses mysterious powers and is connected to beings known as the “Little People.”
The leader tells Aomame, “If you kill me, you will die too,” but Aomame carries out the assassination anyway.
・Tengo’s Story
Tengo is a mathematics teacher and an aspiring novelist.
At the request of his editor, Komatsu, he is tasked with “rewriting” the novel “Air Chrysalis” written by a young girl named Fuka-Eri.
“Air Chrysalis” depicts otherworldly elements such as the Little People, “Douta,” and “Mother,” and Tengo gradually becomes engulfed in this world.
Fuka-Eri, who lives with Tengo, is a girl who escaped from the Sakigake and has actually seen the Little People.
Her story has an impact on reality, and Tengo, too, is drawn into the world of “1Q84.”
・Their Relationship
Aomame and Tengo were elementary school classmates and had special feelings for each other, but they hadn’t seen each other in many years.
However, in the world of “1Q84,” the two begin to sense each other’s presence more strongly.
Aomame searches for Tengo, and Tengo tracks her presence.
・Climax
Aomame is pursued as the assassin of the cult leader and discovers she is pregnant.
It is suggested that the child may have been conceived through a “spiritual connection” with Tengo.
The two finally reunite and work together to escape “1Q84.”
They hold hands and leave the world of “1Q84” to return to their own world.
There is once again only a single moon in the sky.
The story ends with the two embarking on a new reality.
● Impressions
・The depiction of this “other world” is quietly eerie.
Rather than a flashy fantasy, the world is distorted as an unnatural extension of everyday life.
The mere presence of two moons leaves the reader with the constant sense that “something is wrong.”
This “quiet otherworldly feeling” is the essence of Murakami Haruki.
However, I found the existence of the “air chrysalis” and the Little People somewhat difficult to understand.
Also, since it is a very long novel, I think you’ll need the energy to keep reading.
・Aomame and Tengo’s love story is beautiful but difficult to understand.
Even though the two rarely see each other, the entire story converges on their “reunion.”
The scene in which these two lonely people join hands, overcoming the distortions of their world, is memorable.
In addition, while reading this novel, I was able to distance myself from the real world and immerse myself in another world.
However, I never really understood why they were attracted to each other.
