Oh look, it’s the first few lines of Haruki Murakami’s impending publication, 1Q84. The book was a major hit when it came out in Japan around two years ago. Alas, it is soon-to-be-released here and in the UK. It’s three volumes, translated in part by Jay Rubin and Philip Gabriel. Here are the opening lines that should tie you over for a little longer:
The taxi’s radio was tuned to a classical FM broadcast. Janáček’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.
