Haruki Murakami finally completes his long-awaited novel after decades of revisions

In Japan, Haruki Murakami embarked on a literary journey that spanned decades, culminating in the publication of The City and Its Uncertain Walls. This novel began as an attempt to rework a story published in the Japanese magazine Bungakukai in 1980, which Murakami later chose not to republicize due to his dissatisfaction with it. Over the years, he continued to revisit the themes and ideas from this original story through his subsequent works, leading to a significant transformation into the novel Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World five years later. As the Covid-19 pandemic took hold globally, Murakami dedicated three years to expanding his original narrative into this lengthy tripartite novel, which was subsequently translated into English by Philip Gabriel. The plot revolves around a middle-aged man reflecting on his romance during a perfect summer spent between Tokyo and his coastal hometown. His unsophisticated love story unfolds as he exchanges letters and shares tender moments with a teenage girl who enriches his life. However, the narrative takes a darker turn when she mysteriously disappears, symbolizing themes of grief and loss that permeate the novel. The structure of the novel embodies the psychological realm, where the narrator's experience as a 'dream reader' in a fantastical library signifies both a quest for understanding and a reflection on his stagnant emotional state. Throughout the novel, Murakami uses metaphors and allegories, presenting walled towns that represent the stasis created by the narrator's unresolved feelings about lost love. The tale is filled with contradictions, layered stories, and many symbolic elements, such as a clock without hands in the town plaza. These elements work together to create a rich tapestry of thoughts concerning existence, personal connections, and the effects of longing. As the reader navigates through the whimsical yet threatening settings crafted by Murakami, the narrative mirrors a deeper examination of complex emotions comparable to the visual storytelling of Hayao Miyazaki. As the protagonist finds a way to escape the walled town, he is forced to confront his reality once again. This shift marked a poignant exploration of what it means to grapple with the weight of memories and the longing for lost connections. The novel ultimately poses questions about the nature of storytelling, perception, and the human experience. The intricacies of the novel and its self-referential nature may leave readers questioning the boundaries of reality and fiction, as Murakami challenges them to engage deeply with the text and its layered meanings.