Haruki Murakami’s career started in 1978 during a baseball game. Seated at Jingu Stadium, Murakami was struck by realization the moment Dave Hilton hit a double—he could write a novel. That night, he went home and began writing.

Since then, Murakami has written over 40 works that include primarily fiction, such as 1Q84 (2011) and Norwegian Wood (2010), but also several nonfiction including What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (2008). His writing has been translated into more than 50 languages and has sold millions of copies outside of his home country of Japan.

The wait is over

On Nov. 19, fans will be treated to the release of his first book in six years: The City and Its Uncertain Walls (also available as an audiobook in the Libby app). Keep reading for more on this highly anticipated novel!

Murakami’s signature style—unique yet comforting

Much of Murakami’s fiction is written in the first-person, in the style of the “Japanese I-Novel,” where events in the story follow the author’s own experiences via the protagonist. As the reader, you’re welcome to follow along with the story, but there’s not a trail of breadcrumbs to lead you to a twist or an anchor keeping you on a preset path. You’ll get to the destination, but you might find your own way there.

Murakami takes inspiration from music—you'll notice it in some of his titles, but also feel music's presence in his writing. His lyrical writing style feels like a maestro is conducting you on an orchestral ride.

If you’re still wondering what makes Haruki Murakami stand out, it’s how he combines the normal and abnormal, the uniqueness paired with the comfort of form. Many Murakami readers online share that they find his writing incredibly unique, yet comforting and dependable as it remains consistent from story to story. If you like a “slice of life” look at the world that includes the mundane lifted up to a place of reverence with magical or supernatural elements, his writing is for you.

While it’s hard to make an exact comparison, Murakami’s works are similar to magical realism, with a focus on the everyday. There’s heavy use of psychological realism, surrealism, and the supernatural. He focuses heavily on character development and crafting deep scenes.

The joy of reading in translation

While Murakami’s works are available in 50+ languages, the U.S. often sees a low trend of literature in translation—with less than 600 books translated in a year at times. The number has been increasing since 2022, but it’s far more common to see English titles trend as bestsellers in other countries than for titles in translation to trend in the U.S. Reading literature in translation offers a unique glimpse into another culture's storytelling traditions, from narrative flow to distinct writing styles.

I’m such a fan of encouraging reading a book in translation, it even made it as a prompt on the Professional Book Nerds 2024 Reading Challenge.

A peek into The City and Its Uncertain Walls

We begin with a nameless young couple: a boy and a girl, teenagers in love. One day, she disappears... and her absence haunts him for the rest of his life. Thus begins a search for this lost love that takes the man into middle age and on a journey between the real world and another world. In this mysterious, perhaps imaginary, walled town, unicorns roam, a Gatekeeper determines who can enter and who must remain behind, and shadows become untethered from their selves.

The man leaves his life in Tokyo and ventures to a small mountain town where he becomes the head librarian. But he soon learns the mysterious circumstances surrounding the gentleman who had the job before him.

As the seasons pass and the man grows more uncertain about the porous boundaries between these two worlds, he meets a strange boy who helps him see what he’s been missing.

More books to love from Murakami

There’s no right or wrong way to get into Murakami. Many will recommend Norwegian Wood as a first foray into his writing. It’s short (compared to some of his other books), simple, and bittersweet.

If you ask Murakami fans, they may proclaim their love for Kafka on the Shore, Dance Dance Dance, 1Q84, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, and Sputnik Sweetheart. Well, you’re going to see love for all of his books—they’re all fantastic—but those are some of my faves to give you a place to start.

And if you want a unique flavor, check out The Strange Library, a 96-page volume designed by Chip Kidd and fully illustrated. This is described as a book like nothing else Murakami has written.

Or if you’d like to know more about Murakami’s fashion choices, check out Murakami T, photographs of his extensive and personal t-shirt collection, accompanied by essays that reveal a side of the writer rarely seen by the public.

Check out this truly fascinating writer who has created his own version of the magical realism genre. Add one of his books to your TBR on the Libby app and see what you think!

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*Title availability may vary by library & region.