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A new work by Haruki Murakami is arriving in April – but only in Japanese

Murakami's Japanese publisher Bungeishunju and his US representation, Knopf, have not indicated when the book will be translated into English.

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Elena Seibert/Knopf
Murakami's most recent novel, '1Q84,' was translated into 40 languages and has sold millions of copies around the world.
  • By Husna Haq

Haruki Murakami fans, rejoice – and learn Japanese, if you haven’t already.

Murakami has a new book coming out in April, according to Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun. The only problem? His Japanese publisher Bungeishunju, as well as US publisher Knopf, have not indicated when the book would be translated into English.

“There is nothing in the pipeline at the moment,” said Knopf publicity director Nicholas Latimer. “We have not yet commissioned a translation.” 

US readers, hang tight. Not only is it unclear when the new novel will be translated or released in the US – his previous novel “1Q84” took two years to be translated into English and released in the US – Murakami’s Japanese publisher is tight-lipped on details about the forthcoming book.

Other than the publication date, no details, not even the title, were released – all of which only drew more excitement and anticipation, of course. And speculation.

“I bet it will contain ear porn, a lonely man, a teenage/under-age girl, the war in Manchuria [and] some cooking,” opines one reader, according to the UK’s Guardian.

“It’s safe to bet that there will be cats (that may or may not talk) and probably some awkward sex, too,” posits the NY Daily News.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal wonders if it’s a fourth volume to Murakami’s famous “1Q84.”

The 925-page “1Q84” was released to wide acclaim in Japan before being translated to English and released in the US. It went on to be translated into more than 40 languages and sell millions of copies around the world.

This latest mystery novel can only serve to boost Murakami’s appeal and ensure he’ll land, yet again, on the favorites list for a Nobel Prize in Literature. But for now, only Japanese readers will enjoy his latest work.

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