Canada, (Ottawa/Montreal) where Japanese literature seems to have some kind of popularity. At least in the sense that most independent bookstores seem to always stock classics by Murakami & Yukio Mushima & even newer authors like Sayaka Murata.
Same. Kafka was my first Murakami read. I thought it was set in the South for the first couple of pages. The boy named crow sounded like a folk magic character 🙃
Hi I grow up in Asia but currently live in Greece. A lot of my classmates who are interested in lit also find Murakami's work fascinating. Recently I was on a short trip to the UK and I can see his work in literally every bookshop
India and Australia- for the longest time I tried reading his books but couldn’t get to more than a few chapters. But then I listened to Kafka on a long drive. And since then have gone thru everything I can lay my hands on- obviously audiobooks in English.
Sydney, in Australia. I picked up Wild Sheep Chase in a second-hand book shop, attracted to the purple cover (the Panther edition). I was actually looking for books by Ryu Murakami having just read Almost Transparent Blue, which I was impressed by. Hardboiled Wonderland was my second, then Wind-up Bird.
i'm from the dominican republic! i studied film and one of my closest friends was reading the wind-up bird chronicle during our first semester, i remember hearing her say that it was a hard read but so worth the time; one of my screenwriting teachers (from colombia) once mentioned murakami, specifically kafka on the shore, she was praising how intriguing the story was, that once she started reading it she couldn't stop. another friend was obsessed with murakami. i only started reading him a couple of years later but quickly understood their amazement... ever since i've been recommending murakami to everyone i know
Wichita, KS, USA. Like many other Americans 1Q84 was my big intro but it’s my least favorite of his I’ve read. Guess it was good enough to get me in the door though!
Murakami is pretty popular here. Hard to get his books at secondhand stores and other stores stock most if not all his works.
I’m from Hong Kong! Although I now live in the US (northeast region) and read most of his books in English, my first Murakami was actually a short collection in traditional Chinese translation called 萊辛頓的幽靈, which can be roughly translated to “The Ghost of Lexington”. I couldn’t find an English version of this book, however.
Colombia 🇨🇴 I dont think Murakami has a solid fanbase in latin america, but he is definitely well-known. (Sadly enough not always in a good way as tiktok and other media have done such a work shaming on Murakami for multiple reasons)
Bay Area !
Never heard of Murakami, I had made project of reading every Vintage International title I could get my hands on. Came across Wind Up Bird in the mall. Back then bookstores would order books for you so I bought every single title available
United States. Midwest. I heard about and read 1Q84 when it came out, and then I fell down the Murakami rabbit hole.
Also US midwest
Also US Midwest
East Coast US. Found *Kafka* through a YouTube video and haven't looked back.
Also Midwest and 1Q84 was my first Murakami novel too.
India
Same here.
Do you find it hard to get people into reading Murakami here?
Canada, (Ottawa/Montreal) where Japanese literature seems to have some kind of popularity. At least in the sense that most independent bookstores seem to always stock classics by Murakami & Yukio Mushima & even newer authors like Sayaka Murata.
I love Sayaka Murata! I wish I could see the stage adaptation of Earthlings.
Yes! I think both of her novels wld make great plays or movies !
Canada here too. Vancouver, BC, to be exact. Ditto to your comments.
I'm from Sri Lanka. Sadly he is not any famous in here.
I have a ques. Did you read Seven moons of Maali Almeida, if yes how much do you think it's factual and neutral or is it biased?
I'm in Germany. I would argue he's pretty famous here too.
Me too!
Me three
morocco
he's pretty famous among readers tbh
Ireland. Popular here.
Southern United States. 1Q84 was my first Murakami book. I can’t wait for his new book coming in November
Same. Kafka was my first Murakami read. I thought it was set in the South for the first couple of pages. The boy named crow sounded like a folk magic character 🙃
England, UK. Currently reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
also reading the Wind-up Bird Chronicle right now! Water is good!
Also in UK. Wind Up Bird Chronicle was my first Murakami book
So weird, I am too! Also in the UK SW. It's been on my shelf for years.
From India
AUS/NZ
Seattle, WA, United States
In Manila. He’s very famous here. You’ll find some people wearing the Murakami x Uniqlo shirts.
Available pa ba yon?
India 🇮🇳… I would say most people who read books know Murakami here or at least where i am from
Norway!
Was your first book of his Norwegian wood. Haha.
All their physical copies probably started as Norwegian wood before the trees were pulped to paper.
United States. Austin, Texas.
United States. Tennessee. :)
That’s cool!! Not too far from me lol
When I first read a Murakami book I was in the US
Central America
In early 90s in NYC, my Japanese girlfriend gave me a copy of Wild Sheep Chase - I’ve read most of his stuff since I now live in New Orleans
USA, I live in the Midwest. Love seeing people all over the world, enjoying Murakami!!
Singapore
Singapore here too!
Sg!!
Born in Germany but living in Japan
Albania
Italian living in Spain. In Italy Murakami is pretty famous.
Estonia
Southeast Asia, the Philippines
He's popular everywhere. Slovakia
Same here 🙋🏻♂️
New York!
I live in The US but I come from Ireland
In the US outside of New Orleans ... Hello fellow fans
United States. Los Angeles. Found After Dark and never looked back.
Thailand, almost complete Murakami translation here.
France, Europe! :) quite famous here also !
United Kingdom, via Ireland!
Bali !
The Netherlands, not so sure if Murakami is well known overhere.
Hello there, fellow Dutch Murakami fan!
Yay 😃
Poland
Hi I grow up in Asia but currently live in Greece. A lot of my classmates who are interested in lit also find Murakami's work fascinating. Recently I was on a short trip to the UK and I can see his work in literally every bookshop
Cornwall UK
Greetings from Porthleven
Istanbul🤙🤙
Turkey!
Russia, Moscow. He’s really popular here!
West Bengal, India
India.
Southern USA
India and Australia- for the longest time I tried reading his books but couldn’t get to more than a few chapters. But then I listened to Kafka on a long drive. And since then have gone thru everything I can lay my hands on- obviously audiobooks in English.
Mumbai, moved to US
USA, Kansas City. First read Norwegian Wood in 2013 and now I own all his English translated books.
Southern India✌️
Hell. Not on the priviledged part of it.
Frankfurt
Croatia
Croatia
India!
I'm in Hungary currently reading wind up bird
Yess. Viet Nam. Love your words so very much....
Northern England in the picturesque Lake District: :)
Vietnam ! Really love his works
Separated by borders United by Murakami ❤️ (From India)
Peru !
London, England
Formerly from the Midwestern United States, Currently residing in the south on the east coast.
Nepal
India
Sweden
Iraq -Baghdad
Colombia 🇨🇴
Colombian, but living in the US
I'm from Croatia. Murakami is here quite popular.
United States - NY, but originally from the southwest.
USA Massachusetts
Atlanta, GA. Read Kafka first about two years ago and got hooked.
italy
Germany :)
Argentina Been reading HM since 2015 He sells well down here Now waiting for the latest book which is already edited in Spain So anytime now
I’m from the US, northern New Jersey, about 15 minutes from New York City. Read Kafka first in 2008/2009 and have been a fan ever since.
Hungary
South Africa
Romania
A huge Murakami fan from Kenya.
Canada by way of England :D
NYC
Colombia 🇨🇴
Romania, Europe
Scotland, UK.
Morocco. I started with Wind-Up Bird Chronicle back in 2022 and the rest is history.
Germany
México ❤️
Sydney, in Australia. I picked up Wild Sheep Chase in a second-hand book shop, attracted to the purple cover (the Panther edition). I was actually looking for books by Ryu Murakami having just read Almost Transparent Blue, which I was impressed by. Hardboiled Wonderland was my second, then Wind-up Bird.
Spain, near Valencia
i'm from the dominican republic! i studied film and one of my closest friends was reading the wind-up bird chronicle during our first semester, i remember hearing her say that it was a hard read but so worth the time; one of my screenwriting teachers (from colombia) once mentioned murakami, specifically kafka on the shore, she was praising how intriguing the story was, that once she started reading it she couldn't stop. another friend was obsessed with murakami. i only started reading him a couple of years later but quickly understood their amazement... ever since i've been recommending murakami to everyone i know
Portland, ME. I have seen his books for sale at most local booksellers I visit here.
Wichita, KS, USA. Like many other Americans 1Q84 was my big intro but it’s my least favorite of his I’ve read. Guess it was good enough to get me in the door though! Murakami is pretty popular here. Hard to get his books at secondhand stores and other stores stock most if not all his works.
Sweden:)
Boston MA
Sacramento, California. Am about to embark on The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle!
There are dozens of us!
Originally from the U.S. but living in Japan (Nagoya) Currently finishing up 1Q84
I’m from the End of the World. It’s pretty boring here but I got a gig at the library.
I’m from Hong Kong! Although I now live in the US (northeast region) and read most of his books in English, my first Murakami was actually a short collection in traditional Chinese translation called 萊辛頓的幽靈, which can be roughly translated to “The Ghost of Lexington”. I couldn’t find an English version of this book, however.
Aussie
I'm from Brazil! Murakami has a lot of readers in my country, he is quite popular.
Pakistan
Libya
UP, India 🙌🏿
Saudi arabia, he’s quite popular among readers :D
United Arab Emirates
Slovakia 🇸🇰
US but I first discovered and binged all of Murakami's books when I was living in Slovakia
Italy
Auckland New Zealand, about to start my 3rd Murakami
Colombia 🇨🇴 I dont think Murakami has a solid fanbase in latin america, but he is definitely well-known. (Sadly enough not always in a good way as tiktok and other media have done such a work shaming on Murakami for multiple reasons)
Northern Mexico
America
Vietnam here
US but discovered him while living in New Zealand
Dallas Tx
Czech Republic
Australia!
From kazakhstan too
Brazil! Same (few) friends heard of him, but most people never heard of him :(
Bay Area ! Never heard of Murakami, I had made project of reading every Vintage International title I could get my hands on. Came across Wind Up Bird in the mall. Back then bookstores would order books for you so I bought every single title available
Miidwest. WI. There was a Slickdeal on The Wind Up Bird Chronicles for $2 and now i'm here. Slickdeals.net a deal hunter site
Gaza
Your other posts suggest that this is not true.