Last Updated: April 14, 2023, 03:26 IST
People line as much as buy the recent copies of Japanese author Haruki Murakami’s new novella The City and Its Uncertain Walls, which is the author’s new guide in six years, at a guide retailer in Shinjuku district of Tokyo early on April 13, 2023. (Image: AFP)
Copies of “The City and Its Uncertain Walls” have been piled up on tables on the entrance to Kinokuniya retailer in central Shinjuku district
Dozens of excited Haruki Murakami followers queued outdoors a bookstore in Tokyo on Thursday for the midnight launch of the world-renowned writer’s first novel in six years.
Copies of “The City and Its Uncertain Walls”, so far only available in Japanese, were piled up on tables at the entrance to Kinokuniya store in central Shinjuku district.
Shunsuke Mitsumoto was among the first to get his hands on the latest title by Murakami, who has a cult following for his surreal works peppered with references to pop culture.
“I want to read it as soon as I get home. As much as I want to savour each sentence, I will probably read the whole thing in one go,” the 39-year-old informed AFP.
“I’m excited to assume that this guide will take us to a brand new world once more,” added Mitsumoto, a member of a Murakami reading group.
Murakami’s previous novel, “Killing Commendatore”, was revealed in February 2017.
The bestselling writer is understood for his intricate tales of the absurdity and loneliness of fashionable life, which have been translated into about 50 languages.
In a message launched by writer Shinchosha forward of the brand new guide’s launch, Murakami stated he had produced the novel in self-isolation throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
The 74-year-old described his work course of in usually enigmatic fashion, saying it had been “identical to a ‘dream reader’ reads an ‘old dream’ at a library”.
Perennially tipped for a Nobel prize, Murakami — whose most famous novels include “Norwegian Wood” and “Kafka on the Shore” — is a reclusive figure.
At the early-hours event on Thursday, 28-year-old fan Chikako Muramatsu said the author was “loved by a wide range of people”.
“Many followers appear to be in my mother and father’ technology, however there are some large Haruki followers in my technology too,” she said.
Yuji Katayama, 54, said he was a long-time fan.
“I feel like I am growing older with the characters in his books. I feel empathy for them,” he stated.
“I contemplate his novels as my textbooks. By studying his books, I’m uncovered to new issues, like his information of overseas novels.”
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