Murakami: I would like my readers, when they finish reading the books, to continue to think about them

He recently published a new novel, "The City and its Unstable Walls", based on a novella he wrote in 1980. He explained why it was important for him to give this story a new look

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Haruki Murakami, Photo: Philip FONG / AFP / Profimedia
Haruki Murakami, Photo: Philip FONG / AFP / Profimedia
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

The works of the Japanese writer Haruki Murakami often cause divided reactions from readers. Some are left confused, some like not having all the answers laid out for them. Murakami says he likes to make readers think.

"I think a great novel always tends to raise some intriguing questions—but not to offer a clear, unequivocal conclusion. I'd like my readers, when they've finished my books, to keep thinking about them. For example, what endings are possible? I throw in some hints in each story to make them think. What I would like is for the readers to recognize these hints and each reach their own, unique ending," said the famous writer in an interview with the Guardian.

He recently published a new novel, "The City and its Unstable Walls", based on a novella he wrote in 1980. He explained why it was important for him to give this story a new look.

"It is the only work I have ever written without ever allowing it to be reprinted in book form. In other words, I was simply not satisfied with the story. I thought the subject matter very important, but, unfortunately, I did not have enough writing skills at the time to convey it in the way I wanted. I decided to wait until I had acquired the necessary skills as a writer, and only then would I fully dedicate myself to rewriting the story," said Murakami.

However, in the meantime, he had many other projects he wanted to work on and just couldn't start this one, he adds.

"The next thing I realized was that 40 years had passed, and I was entering my seventies. I thought it was high time to devote myself seriously to this project, as I may not have much time ahead of me. I also felt a strong need to fulfill my responsibility as a novelist," said the writer.

Murakami wrote this novel during the "lockdown" due to the coronavirus pandemic, which influenced the story, which, according to the famous writer, is a kind of metaphor for the situation the world was in at that time.

"While writing this novel, I needed a certain amount of peace and quiet, as well as time to think. The situation of the walled city was also a metaphor for the global 'lockdown'. How is it possible for extreme isolation and warm feelings of empathy to coexist? That was one of the main themes of this novel and, in that sense, it represents a significant improvement compared to the original novella," Murakami pointed out.

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