1Q84 is a novel by Haruki Murakami, split over three volumes. Books 1 and 2 were first published in Japan in 2009, with the third volume appearing the following year. All three volumes were published in English in 2011 - Books 1 and 2, translated by Jay Rubin, were published as a single volume, with the third - translated by Philip Gabriel - following a couple of weeks later. The title is nod to George Orwell's 1984; the letter in Japanese is (I'm told) pronounced the same way as the number 9.
Where the action alternated between Aomame and Tengo in Books 1 and 2, they now share the spotlight with Ushikawa - who'd approached Tengo in Book 2, claiming to represent an arts body. It hadn't taken Tengo long to realise Ushikawa was connected to Sakigake in some way. Thanks to his starring role in Book 3, it's now clear he isn't an adherent but rather a hired PI. Following Leader's death, Tengo and Fuka-Eri are no longer his priority, and he's trying to track Aomame down. While he hasn't got a clue where she is - she spends the bulk of the book hiding in her safe house - he soon spots a connection between her and Tengo. So, with no other leads, he decides to stake out the budding young author...
Tengo, meanwhile, has now taken a little time off work to spend with his father. (Not that he's suddenly become a model son - he's just hoping to see Aomame in the Air Chrysalis again). Fuka-Eri is now hiding out his flat alone, and he occasionally checks in with a phone call. Although Air Chrysalis has now disappeared from the bestsellers' list and Komatsu appears to have gone AWOL, the book still has its devoted fans. (Komatsu's absence is a little mysterious; the official line is that he's off sick, though neither Tengo nor Komatsu's colleagues are entirely convinced. For some reason. though, Tengo doesn't get overly concerned by his editor's absence).
I couldn't help feeling there was something a little aimless about Books 1 and 2 - but, with Book 3 there seems to be more direction, an actual point to the storyline. The introduction of Ushikawa is probably what helped spur the story along, though I wouldn't rule out Jay Rubin's contribution either. Still, even with al the improvements, it's not entirely flawless either. I was baffled at how the Dowager, Komatsu and especially Fuka-Eri were dropped from the storyline. (Tengo's claim that he never felt any desire for Fuka-Eri was also laughable - even if their roll in the hay was beyond his control, he'd spent a ridiculous amount of time staring at her chest). Sakigake, a menacing presence in Books 1 and 2, were limp, weak and...well...polite by the end of Book 3. (I still have no idea what the Little People were up to, or what the point of the second moon was, for that matter). Still, if you've read Books 1 and 2 and enjoyed them, you'll not be disappointed with Book 3.
