![]() ![]() Nonetheless, it’s clear that part of his appeal comes from his ability to capture the ennui of everyday life and filter it through a wholly unique magical realist lens. I can’t claim deep intimacy with Murakami’s work I’ve read as many of his novels as sit unopened on my shelf, and even the totality of those is just a fraction of his oeuvre. He’s perhaps closest to the overarching spirit of literary experimentation of the Latin American Boom. Meanwhile, Murakami’s work sits firmly in a weird liminal space between genres. Star Wars and Marvel may dominate the box office, but mystery/thriller and romance still reign supreme in the literary world, at least in terms of sales. ![]() While I’m sure that most Escapist enthusiasts are spec-fic tragics, we’re in the minority. Challenged to name 10 authors I’d expect to attract such attention, Murakami wouldn’t be among them. A veritable trove of interest from all corners of the internet.Īll of that without the viral marketing power of a Bigolas Dickolas to propel it along. Think pieces about the meaning of Murakami or adaptations of his work. Thousands of people waiting in bookstores for midnight releases. Mainstream press coverage about the book launch. The result has been something I don’t see often about literature. The latest to swallow the limelight is Haruki Murakami, whose The City and Its Uncertain Walls released in his native Japan in mid-April. Watching the headlines over the past month and reflecting, I can’t help but think that we’re in an era of superstar authors. ![]()
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