So today I am excited, yes because its Friday, but mostly because one of my current favourite uuthors has penned a new novel.
The first novel in five years by Japan's best known modern writer HarukiMurakami became a bestseller before it hit stores Friday and despite the factthe author has kept its plot a mystery.
When Murakami's "1Q84," which can be read as "1984" in Japanese, finallywent on sale, his legions of fanatical fans had already reserved tens ofthousands of copies of the two-volume novel, booksellers said.
Murakami, 60, a former Tokyo jazz bar owner who is often mentioned as aNobel literature prize contender, has struck a global chord with his sensitivetales on the absurdity and loneliness of modern life.
His novels, which have drawn an international cult following and beentranslated into three dozen languages, include the titles "Norwegian Wood,""Kafka on the Shore" and "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle."
Murakami, who rarely gives media interviews, has kept a tight veil over thenew novel and its plot, while his Japanese publisher has made littleeffort to promote the title.
"As far as I know, this is the first time that we have released a new novelwithout any pre-release marketing," said Akiko Saito, chief editor of theliterature section of Shinchosha Publishing Co.
"We are seeing a market impact much bigger than expected."
The publisher had quickly increased its first print run amid the surgingadvance orders and was now planning to print an initial 300,000 copies ofpart one and 280,000 copies of part two, she said.
Saito said the secrecy surrounding its release was meant to please fans.
"After we published 'Kafka,' many readers told us they wished they had readthe novel without any prior knowledge of what it was about," she said.
Kanae Miyazu, a Tokyo photographer and long-time Murakami fan, said sheimmediately bought both volumes on Friday.
"Even without knowing anything about the book, I decided to buy and read itanyway because I trust Mr. Murakami," she said. "Any book of his would befun."
The publishers said they did not know when the novel would be published inEnglish and other languages.
When Murakami's "1Q84," which can be read as "1984" in Japanese, finallywent on sale, his legions of fanatical fans had already reserved tens ofthousands of copies of the two-volume novel, booksellers said.
Murakami, 60, a former Tokyo jazz bar owner who is often mentioned as aNobel literature prize contender, has struck a global chord with his sensitivetales on the absurdity and loneliness of modern life.
His novels, which have drawn an international cult following and beentranslated into three dozen languages, include the titles "Norwegian Wood,""Kafka on the Shore" and "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle."
Murakami, who rarely gives media interviews, has kept a tight veil over thenew novel and its plot, while his Japanese publisher has made littleeffort to promote the title.
"As far as I know, this is the first time that we have released a new novelwithout any pre-release marketing," said Akiko Saito, chief editor of theliterature section of Shinchosha Publishing Co.
"We are seeing a market impact much bigger than expected."
The publisher had quickly increased its first print run amid the surgingadvance orders and was now planning to print an initial 300,000 copies ofpart one and 280,000 copies of part two, she said.
Saito said the secrecy surrounding its release was meant to please fans.
"After we published 'Kafka,' many readers told us they wished they had readthe novel without any prior knowledge of what it was about," she said.
Kanae Miyazu, a Tokyo photographer and long-time Murakami fan, said sheimmediately bought both volumes on Friday.
"Even without knowing anything about the book, I decided to buy and read itanyway because I trust Mr. Murakami," she said. "Any book of his would befun."
The publishers said they did not know when the novel would be published inEnglish and other languages.
YAY!
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ReplyDeleteonly book of his i've read is sputnick sweetheart. kept it in my handbag while i was reading it.
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