Orson

1Q84 is written by Haruki Murakami and was published in English on October 25, 2011. The book is set in Tokyo in 1984 and in an alternate reality. The plot is centered around Aomame, a unique protagonist, that lives two d- ifferent life styles as an assassin killing men who abuse and torture their wives and a gym trainer. However, during an assassination attempt heavy traffic caused her to leave the taxi and climb down an emergency escape. That somehow caused her to enter an alternate reality with strange forces attracting her to Tengo, a high school crush that turned into a successful author. Even though she may be in love, she still pursues assassination attempts throughout the end, ultimately realizing that her attempts were futile and unachievable towards killing a cult leader named only as “The Leader”.
 * About the book:**

Born on January 12, 1949 in Kyoto, Japan, Haruki Murakami is a prominent Japanese writer and translator. He was responsilbe for many works containing fiction and nonfiction, which have claimed numerous awards and acclaim. His work was often criticized by Japan's literary establishment as humorous and yet surreal. However, at the same time he focuses on the theme of loneliness and alienation. Several of his works have also become film adaptations.
 * About the author:**

**Characters and Conflict:** The novel has five main characters. The main protagonist Aomame is a thirty year old woman working as part of an enigmatic organization for which she commits carefully selected murders. Along with her, the other characters include: Tengo, Ushikawa, Komatsu, and Fuka-Eri.

**Theme:** Wherever there’s hope there’s a trial … Hope, however, is limited, and generally abstract, while there are countless trials, and they tend to be concrete.

**Review(Destiny):** //1Q84 // revolves around a intriguing protagonist, Aomame, who explores two different worlds. One is the original world she lived in, alternating between two personalities as an assassin and the other as an attractive gym trainer. Experience a strange but exciting new world she enters; piece together the complex puzzle that Murakami left behind to have an enjoying time investigating and dig deeper into her life. Journey through twists and turns in the plot and meet other fascinating characters, such as Tengo, a successful writer, whom, Aomame knew since her childhood. Yet this all happens in an alternate reality through various elements. The jorney doesn't end there but covers much more that will immerse the reader on to a shocking and mysterious ending.

**Analysis of Style:** Murakamii's unique style is put on display in his award-winning novel 1Q84. Murakami utilizes a detached protagonist picketted against an authoritarian cult to convey a sense of rebellion in its tone. In 1Q84, Murakami creates a world that lies between different realities where the physical and imaginary are moot. Bizarre occurances frequently enter the modern world in Japan and test the protagonist and supporting character's sense of whether things are real or metaphysical. It is also suggested in the book when Aomame got out of the other end of the emergency escape, "She noticed that the police had different guns and uniforms" (Murakami 47) indicating a subtle difference between this new reality and her own. More support includes,"There was a lot that remained unknown and mysterious" (Ulin, pars.10) As a result, Murakami creates a world of mystery filled with many perplexities.

**Works Cited:** Cheuse, Alan. "Book Review: '1Q84' : NPR." //NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR //. N.p., 12 Nov. 2011. Web. 23 Dec. 2011. . MASLIN, JANET. //1Q84// by Haruki Murakami - Review - NYTimes.com." //The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia //. N.p., 9 Nov. 2011. Web. 22 Dec. 2011. .

Ulin, David L., and Los Angeles Times Book Critic. "'1Q84' by Haruki Murakami: Book review - Page 2 - Los Angeles Times." //Featured Articles From The Los Angeles Times //. N.p., 23 Oct. 2011. Web. 23 Dec. 2011. <http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/23/entertainment/la-ca-haruki-murakami-20111023/2>.

<span style="background-color: #efefef; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Murakami, Haruki, Jay Rubin, and Philip Gabriel. //<span style="background-color: #efefef; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">1Q84 //<span style="background-color: #efefef; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. Print.