TOKYO (AP) — Celebrated Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami is breaking new ground with his upcoming release, which will be his first full-length work to spotlight a female lead character as she navigates her way through an extraordinary and puzzling reality.
Set for release on July 3 in both printed and electronic editions, “The Tale of KAHO” follows the journey of Kaho, a 26-year-old who creates children’s picture books.
This upcoming release represents Murakami’s return to novel-writing after a three-year hiatus. His last work, “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” told the story of a man’s quest through themes of romance, grief, and the blurred lines separating reality from the unconscious mind.
According to a Thursday announcement from Shinchosha Publishing Co., Kaho represents the first solitary female lead to anchor a complete novel in Murakami’s body of work.
The novel’s origins trace back to a brief story called “Kaho,” which Murakami performed during a literary event at Waseda University — where he studied — two years ago. He shared the stage with acclaimed female writer Mieko Kawakami, who is known to admire his writing. This initial story appeared in Shincho magazine’s June 2024 issue.
The protagonist Kaho possesses ordinary appearance and intellect but maintains an inquisitive nature. During a meal with a male companion, he delivers a shocking statement: “I’ve never seen one as ugly as you.” Rather than becoming angry, the puzzled and curious Kaho seeks to decode the meaning behind his words.
Following this encounter, strange occurrences begin infiltrating her daily existence.
A promotional preview from the publishing house declares: “I must find the way out of this world,” adding that “Murakami world is in full force.”
Since then, Murakami has continued the character’s story through three additional installments in Shincho magazine, with the most recent appearing in March. These pieces include “The Anteater of Musashi-sakai,” “Kaho and the Termite Queen,” and “Kaho and the Motorcycle Man, and Scarlett Johansson.”
Philip Gabriel provided the English translation of the initial story for The New Yorker magazine’s 2024 publication.
According to the publisher, Murakami has woven these four segments together and breathed fresh energy into them for this 352-page novel.
