Murakami

Does anyone know if FS are intending to publish more of Murakami’s fiction. I’d buy it all, but I’m less keen on the odd volume here and there, especially as my tastes seem to be different to most when thinking about which novel is best…

There's no way to know. FS are always very cagey about future releases. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised to see one or two more volumes in the "series."

They did mention the latest one as part of a "series" so I would guess they plan on more. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle would be good but expensive since I could see that getting spread across two volumes. I always liked A Wild Sheep Chase too as you get a lot of his style but it is more of a fun, short read. Some of the non-fiction would be good too.

I'm not a huge fan of Murakami's fiction, but I'd love a Folio edition of his Underground, especially if they could commission a new translation that restores all the interviews cut from the currently available English edition.

>3 rsmac: I liked Sheep Chase too. Norwegian Wood is my least favourite. I’m hoping for After Dark and Dance, Dance, Dance.

I could see them doing The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle next and then 1Q84 in some other format

My favorite is Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. I hope they do that but it is probably not realistic.

>4 ambyrglow: They certainly would not commission a new translation. They will use a Penguin or Vintage translation.

Has anyone noticed that the slipcases for Kafka and Norwegian Wood are different shapes? Weird considering it is supposed to designed as a series.

>8 hotgandalf: In what way? They look the same to me...

>9 red_guy: yeah you’re right. one of the pictures of Kafka looked different on the site , but I was wrong. I have Kafka. Should have looked at it

>9 red_guy: https://www.foliosociety.com/media/catalog/product/k/a/kaf_01.jpg?quality=80&amp...:

Seeing things

>11 hotgandalf: 'Seeing things'

Me too. My copies of Kafka and Woods have scalloped edges to their slipcases.

Was that a prototype? A production department dummy?

A video for those who are yet undecided: https://youtu.be/aQtmGu2Uk0s :-)

I really hope FS continues with 'Hard Boiled Wonderland & the End of the World' next but I will be happy with any one of his novels.

>13 PontusPresents: Wonderful review. I really appreciate the time you put into making these.

>13 PontusPresents: very nice, thank you.

Resurrecting an old thread. The local thrift shop has 1Q84 (paperback) available for $3.00 US, and I was wondering what people think of it. I have plenty enough books as it is, but I quite liked The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and Kafka on the Shore. Nothing like a thousand-page book to tie up a long stretch of evenings.

>16 coynedj: In complete earnest I say that 1Q84 is the worst book among books with popular success that I’ve ever read.

>17 User2024: 'In complete earnest I say that 1Q84 is the worst book among books with popular success that I’ve ever read.'

In the interests of context, how many of those 'books with popular success' have you read?

;-)

>18 Cat_of_Ulthar: also for context, whether or not >17 User2024: enjoyed any of Murakami's work might be relevant.

>18 Cat_of_Ulthar:

Probably 500-550 over the last 14 years. I only started tracking the last 5 years. My intention at making that distinction was to acknowledge that it is probably better than the vast number of books published each year that never achieve any meaningful readership, but among its own class it is not good. IMO, of course.

>20 User2024: did you enjoy any of Murakami's other works?

>17 User2024: did you like other Murakami? EDIT: I see others asked this too.

We had a Murakami book from Folio each autumn for the last three years, so I'm hoping we get another in a few months' time. 1Q84 could be a natural pick.

>22 ubiquitousuk: 1Q84 would have to be two volumes - maybe even three, and I can't see Folio doing this unless the hardcore Murakami fans they are cultivating are so numerous that it would be a good seller. I'd buy it, of course! - it took me over for about three weeks and I felt bereft when it was finished. It's weird, but a different sort of weird to the ones Folio have published so far.

If there is to be a next book in the autumn, I'm expecting it to be Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, because a sequel to this , 'The City and its Uncertain Walls' is due to be published in November, so there will be a buzz about the earlier title (which itself is to be reissued in a new translation).

>16 coynedj: Sorry, just saw your post. Yes, buy it!

It’s a fair point that the others bring up… I haven’t read any other Murakami. I read 1Q84 and it turned me away.

>24 User2024: I think starting Murakami with 1Q84 is a bit like starting Dickens with Barnaby Rudge or Edwin Drood. Opinions may vary on the work itself but it’s maybe not the optimal introduction.

>25 antinous_in_london: What! Oh yes, I started with Great Expectations and never stopped. I also like Murakami and will keep purchasing the FS editions as they are published. I have all three and consider them some of the best of the recent offerings.

Hard boiled wonderland is my favourite of his works too and I’d love to see an illustrated version