1Q84

[Joseph Tracy]

Just finished 1Q 84 last night. Still thinking it over.  I felt it was too long without really exploring the surreal world it brings you into. The best parts have an eerie grace.  It caused me to read more about the Aum Shinrikyu cult which in some ways was as interesting to know more about as the story in the novel. Such a weirdly eclectic collection of religious practice and texts, paranoia, drugs and weapons; it's as though it were invented by a novelist .  It  definitely informed the novel.   The  symbolism or metaphysical role of the little people, the 2 moons, the  air chrysalis,  maza dohti pairing,  and the town of the cat people were provocative to think about but less than fully integrated into the story.  

Ishikawa was interesting.  His injured soul,  motivation and determination were credible and treated with sympathy and clarity. The stalker becomes the stalked,  the  unsavory intimidator  weakened and made to reveal his secrets. 


My favorite novel since ATD is the Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver.