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  • 13-NOV-2025 | Excerpt from Haruki Murakami’s “1Q84”

13-NOV-2025 | Excerpt from Haruki Murakami’s “1Q84”

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Dan Bogachek
November 13, 2025

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Excerpt from Haruki Murakami’s “1Q84”

DON’T LET APPEARANCES FOOL YOU

The taxi’s radio was tuned to a classical FM broadcast. Janacek’s Sinfonietta — probably not the ideal music to hear in a taxi caught in traffic. The middle-aged driver didn’t seem to be listening very closely, either. With his mouth clamped shut, he stared straight ahead at the endless line of cars stretching out on the elevated expressway, like a veteran fisherman standing in the bow of his boat, reading the ominous confluence of two currents. Aomame settled into the broad back seat, closed her eyes, and listened to the music.

How many people could recognize Janacek’s Sinfonietta after hearing just the first few bars? Probably somewhere between “very few” and “almost none.” But for some reason, Aomame was one of the few who could. 🏁

The best writers will often paint details in parallel with what’s happening, and in layers.

We see a natural progression: the radio (we’re made aware of the taxi) → music during traffic (introducing traffic) → driver’s behavior + setting (elevated expressway) → introduction of main character (Aomame) → special ability (for some reason…).