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The City and Its Uncertain Walls

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The City and Its Uncertain Walls

By: Haruki Murakami
Narrated by: Philip Gabriel - translation, Brian Nishii
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The breathtaking new novel about the boundaries between worlds and individuals, from the internationally bestselling author of 1Q84.

When a young man’s girlfriend mysteriously vanishes, he sets his heart on finding the imaginary city where her true self lives. His search will lead him to take a job in a remote library with mysteries of its own.

When he finally makes it to the walled city, a shadowless place of horned beasts and willow trees, he finds his beloved working in a different library – a dream library. But she has no memory of their life together in the other world and, as the lines between reality and fantasy start to blur, he must decide what he’s willing to lose.

A love story, a quest, an ode to books and to the libraries that house them, The City and Its Uncertain Walls is a parable for these strange times.

'It’s safe to say that there’s no one like Murakami' Literary Review

'No other author mixes domestic, fantastic and esoteric elements into such weirdly bewitching shades' Financial Times

'Murakami is a master storyteller and he knows how to keep us hooked' Sunday Times

©2024 Haruki Murakami (P)2024 Penguin Audio Editors Select Genre Fiction Horror Literary Fiction Magical Realism Metaphysical & Visionary World Literature Mind-bending Heartfelt Fiction
All stars
Most relevant
this book is continuing the story of Hard boiled wonderland & end of the world, so I recommed you listen that 1st.
I'm not too keen of the voice of this reader but getting used to it. Havent finished the book yet but it is pretty typical Murakami. Layered dream worlds where recipient has vast possibilities to analyse and dissect the story at own understandment.

Book two of Hard boiled wonderland...

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Different version of a previous story as Martin points out. I've read most of Murakami and as I listen to this I am aware that I have been to this city before- I don't recall which novel- it was some time ago and at first it seemed new but gradually I recall the story- so I am only three hours in but this is a strange experience as it is claimed as a new novel and apart from Martin nobody seems to have noticed. Now I need to trace the original and compare- it was one of my favourites with a very special quality that I associate with Murakami's best work. Simple yet profound.

Deja Vu

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the portrayal of the generous people who helped the protagonist along his way: the schoolgirl he loved, the old librarian, library staff , 'submarine boy ', the coffee shop woman, his shadow.

the smooth inevitability of the flow, like the flow of the river

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Captivating Murakami. Thought provoking, fantastical and beautiful. There are insights into Murakami’s mind, approach to magical realism and masterful narrative intricacies.

Great Story

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Beautiful book one thing Library is not a berry! Annoying mispronunciation that could be avoided.

Library

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