Murakami fans to flock bookstores at midnight for new novelFebruary 23, 2017 - 17:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Die-hard fans of Haruki Murakami, the Japanese author perennially pegged as a contender for the Nobel literature prize, will flock to bookstores Thursday night, February 23 when his new novel hits shelves, AFP reports. Major bookstores are hosting late-night events and staying open through the early hours to celebrate the release at midnight (1500 GMT) of the hotly anticipated "Killing Commendatore". Translated into some 40 languages, Murakami's books conjure up a fantastical world where giant frogs challenge salarymen in battle and mackerel rain down from the sky. For years, international media, scholars and bookies have listed the 68-year-old as a favorite for the Nobel, though the coveted prize has so far eluded him. Publisher Shinchosha has already printed a combined 1.3 million copies of the two-volume Japanese-language work in anticipation of brisk sales. No timetable for translations has been announced yet. Details of the novel have been kept under wraps, with anticipation mounting among Murakami's devotees, known as "Harukists". Public broadcaster NHK was set to air a programme two hours before the book's release to discuss "the Haruki Murakami phenomenon". "The excitement of eager fans, the Harukists, is reaching a fevered pitch as they engage in guesswork about the book they have yet to see," NHK said on its web site. Murakami became a global sensation with the publication of "Norwegian Wood" in 1987 and has written several bestsellers including "1Q84" and "Kafka on the Shore". He is known to guard his privacy, rarely appearing in public, and has acquired a cult following for his intricately crafted tales of the absurdity and loneliness of modern life. The novelist peppers his work with references to pop culture. His enormous global popularity has led some at home to deride his work as being too cerebral and influenced by Western authors. Top stories The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. The festival made the news public on March 19, saying that “several options are considered in order to preserve its running” Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |