Step into Tokyo of the year 1984 and the lives of Aomame and Tengo, two young people whose existences converge in a strange way. Aomame is a fitness expert who has trains extensively and her services are in demand by numerous clients. Tengo is a child prodigy who chose to teach while he aspires to be a writer. The two were in grade school together when an incident occurred that became a childhood memories that neither can forget. It was a simple encounter. She greeted him, smiled and touched his hand. He, tongue tied , said nothing and she walked away but the incident was not forgotten by either.
Fast forwards into 19184, late for her appointment, Aomame in a taxi caught in a traffic jam but the driver tells her she can use a stairway off the freeway. She does and encounters a strangeness. It's a parallel time that she calls 1Q84. The Q stands for question mark where she exists but many things around her are changed.
Tengo has been asked by his literary agent to rewrite a novel written by a seventeen-year-old to submit it for a writing contest. While the collaboration is unethical, he is persuaded to work with the young writer. Of course, the novel wins the contest and becomes so widely read that he fears his involvement will be discovered with dire consequences.
The author weaves a complex plot with a parallel period including murder, strict religious groups - one of which is vindictively seeking Aomame, a wealthy widow whose works protect battered women, an ugly detective searching for Aomame, and a body guard whose training and acumen protect the widow and help Aomame. To survive, Aomame must find Tengo but that's a small part of this lengthy tome. The author has created a fascinating and original story like no other I have read. It took awhile but I kept going, enjoying every page of this well written and thrilling novel. Take the time to read it. It's soo good.
Fast forwards into 19184, late for her appointment, Aomame in a taxi caught in a traffic jam but the driver tells her she can use a stairway off the freeway. She does and encounters a strangeness. It's a parallel time that she calls 1Q84. The Q stands for question mark where she exists but many things around her are changed.
Tengo has been asked by his literary agent to rewrite a novel written by a seventeen-year-old to submit it for a writing contest. While the collaboration is unethical, he is persuaded to work with the young writer. Of course, the novel wins the contest and becomes so widely read that he fears his involvement will be discovered with dire consequences.
The author weaves a complex plot with a parallel period including murder, strict religious groups - one of which is vindictively seeking Aomame, a wealthy widow whose works protect battered women, an ugly detective searching for Aomame, and a body guard whose training and acumen protect the widow and help Aomame. To survive, Aomame must find Tengo but that's a small part of this lengthy tome. The author has created a fascinating and original story like no other I have read. It took awhile but I kept going, enjoying every page of this well written and thrilling novel. Take the time to read it. It's soo good.
