From the Bookshelf of Appomattox Regional Library System…

[close] A twist on Orwell's "1984", Haruki Murakami's version centers around Aomame, a female assassin in Tokyo, and Tengo, a writer and teacher who has never forgotten her. Aomame and Tengo both take on dangerous tasks at the bequest of others and inevitably find themselves involved in situations more complicated than they could have imagined, both caused by a young girl full of secrets and a cult with dark and mysterious dealings. All the while, both Aomame and Tengo begin to feel that the world around them is changing, that things are not what they seem.
At first glance, 1Q84 (which was originally 3 books) is a hefty and daunting piece. Upon picking it up, I second guessed my desire to read it...but within finishing the first chapter, I was hooked. Some sections of the book are slower than others, but the language is pleasant to read, the story engaging, and the characters interesting. There's enough suspense to make the reader want to continue reading to see what happens next, and whether it works out in the end. Save this one for winter, when one is sure to be stuck indoors...and then tackle this beast, because it is a worthwhile read for sure.