No, you do not have to read George Orwell’s 1984 before reading Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84. While 1Q84 does contain references and allusions to Orwell’s classic, it is not a direct sequel or continuation of the story. Murakami’s novel stands on its own and can be fully appreciated without prior knowledge of 1984.
That said, reading 1984 might enhance your understanding of certain themes and ideas in 1Q84, such as dystopian societies, surveillance, and the nature of reality. However, these themes are explored in different ways in each book, and Murakami’s work is more focused on its own unique narrative and characters.
In summary, while reading 1984 could provide some additional context, it is not necessary to enjoy or understand 1Q84.