On 3/7, author Haruki Murakami's new novel, *The Tale of Kaho*, was released in Japan. Dozens of people queued overnight at Kinokuniya bookstore in Tokyo to be among the first to purchase the work. Similar scenes occurred during the release of his book *The City and Its Uncertained Walls* in 2023, and *Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki and the Year of His Pilgrimage* in 2013.
According to The Center for Fiction, a U.S. non-profit dedicated to honoring and promoting the art of fiction, Murakami is one of the world's most widely read writers. His works have been translated into dozens of languages, reaching readers in many countries and shaping perspectives on literature and humanity. In 12/2025, the organization honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
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The novel "The Tale of Kaho" published by Shinchosha. Photo: Shinchosha
Critics and readers agree that Haruki Murakami's literature consistently feels fresh. On HuffPost, Israeli author and critic Ellis Shuman noted that Murakami's novels keep readers anticipating what happens next, even without explicit suspense.
In a post on Her Campus, an online magazine for female university students, Maanya Choudhary stated that she read her first Haruki Murakami book, *1Q84*, in 11/2021 and immediately became a "devoted fan". "The writer's storytelling makes you want to discover more", she wrote.
Choudhary observed that Murakami leaves no plot holes or ambiguities. Even when chapters shift between different character perspectives, readers do not experience interruptions or disjointed narratives.
According to Ellis Shuman, Murakami's characters are not "superheroes" but ordinary people with flaws, dreams, aspirations, worries, and concerns. Furthermore, the settings in his stories are realistic, detailing the bleakness of Tokyo's suburbs, the beauty of Japan's snow-capped mountains, and the hustle and bustle of train stations. At times, he also incorporates fantastical elements.
"Murakami's writing style transports me to Japan. Occasionally, the author includes specific words and customs, yet I still feel a sense of familiarity, even as a foreigner", Ellis Shuman wrote. Beyond novels, he suggests readers explore short stories like *The Elephant Vanishes* and *Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman*.
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Author Haruki Murakami. Photo: AP
Haruki Murakami, 77, is one of the world's most beloved Japanese authors. Murakami's literature is notable for depicting solitary individuals in the modern world, blending realism with the fantastical, music, and philosophy. He has many prominent works, such as *South of the Border, West of the Sun* (1992), *Kafka on the Shore* (2002), and *1Q84*. After gaining fame with *Norwegian Wood* at the age of 38, his books were described as "pop culture" due to the sensation they created across Japan and the world.
His novels have been translated into over 50 languages, selling millions of copies globally. Murakami is also a translator, rendering many international literary works into Japanese. The writer was awarded Spain's major Princess of Asturias Award for Literature in 5/2023.
Phuong Linh (according to AP, HuffPost)
