He is widely regarded as one of the most successful contemporary writers and is a familiar presence at celebratory moments, often appearing by the pools to receive major honors. As the Swedish Academy weighs future recognition, a significant tribute is planned in Asturias, where his prose has long been celebrated. The 2023 Princess of Asturias Literary Award will be presented at the Reconquista Theater in Oviedo this October, underscoring a milestone in his literary journey. This event reflects a long-standing international appreciation for his work and its unique voice.
Following a six-year pause, the Japanese author makes a return to bookstores this April with The City and Its Obscure Walls. The novel, available publicly only in Japan at present, remains unreleased in English, and details about its plot and availability outside Japan are still awaited. This guarded release has sparked curiosity among readers worldwide, who anticipate how the narrative might unfold beyond its current confines.
Meanwhile, the author’s extensive bibliography invites readers to repeatedly dive into a universe that has drawn both fervent fans and sharp critics. Like many celebrated figures in literary history, opinion around Murakami tends to polarize—readers often declare, you either love him or you don’t, and the conversation rarely leaves room for indifference.
Haruki Murakami and his singular literature, Princess of Asturias Literary Award 2023
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The selection highlights a body of work that resonates with readers who seek a unique blend of realism and magical elements. For newcomers, five of his most renowned books offer an accessible gateway into a distinctive universe that balances the ordinary with the extraordinary, even when magical realism appears only in select titles.
1- Tokyo Blues
Originally released in 1987, this novel helped propel Murakami to global fame and inspired a major film adaptation. It examines themes of youth, love, alienation, and existential crisis set against the backdrop of late 1970s Tokyo. Characters like Watanabe, Naoko, and Midori leave a lasting imprint on readers and stay with them long after the final page is turned.
2- 1Q84
Published in three volumes from 2009 to 2010, the book achieved extraordinary commercial success, with a single-month sales milestone reaching around one million copies. The title nods to George Orwell, using a homophone in Japanese for the number nine and the letter Q, a playful twist that anchors one of Murakami’s most acclaimed works.
3- Kafka on the Shore
Debuted in 2002 and soon honored by The New York Times as an outstanding novel of its year, this work weaves interlinked narratives. Odd-numbered chapters follow Kafka Tamura, a protagonist named in homage to Franz Kafka, while even-numbered chapters unfold strands related to World War II. The quest for lost cats threads through the book, serving as a symbolic through-line across the dual narratives.
4- Diary of the Bird That Went Around the World
Showcasing Murakami’s push into magical realism, this volume presents a sprawling panorama where reality and dream blur. The setting evokes a Macondo-like atmosphere, reimagined in Japan, spanning nearly a thousand pages of narrative exploration where the line between waking life and reverie dissolves.
5- What Am I Talking About When I Talk About Running
Beyond fiction, Murakami delves into personal reflection. This memoir centers on his dual loves: jazz and long-distance running. It offers a candid, often humorous look at how endurance sports intersect with creativity, revealing a side of the author rarely seen in his novels.