By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
What is ``1Q84''? Prominent Japanese contemporary writer Haruki Murakami's new and highly-anticipated two-volume novel, ``1Q84'' evoked lots of speculation over its title before being published.
``1Q84'' possibly alludes to George Orwell's ``Nineteen Eighty-Four,'' which has inspired many authors. The pronunciation of Japanese number "nine" is kyu, corresponding to the letter "Q."
In the book ``1Q84,'' Q comes from the word ``question'' asked by Aomame, the female protagonist, who discovers a new world between where she exists in reality, and in 1984 and where she used to be in the past.
The book comes five years after ``After Dark,'' creating a buzz both in Japan and overseas.
Recently topping the best-seller list in major bookstores after being released late August in Korea, the novel is a thrillingly well-plotted story, revolving around two protagonists ― Aomame and Tengo.