I personally enjoyed 1Q84 slightly more than Kafka on the Shore, but if you actively disliked KotS, you probably won't like 1Q84 either. It has a bit more forwa

I personally enjoyed 1Q84 slightly more than Kafka on the Shore, but if you actively disliked KotS, you probably won't like 1Q84 either. It has a bit more forward motion to the plot, but it is still in my opinion best enjoyed if you embrace the Murakami-style dreaminess. I love all of his books enough that I try to limit myself to reading one per year on vacation when I can really focus on it.