ARC gifted by the publisher

We meet our unnamed protagonist in his 40s, reminiscing on his high school girlfriend and how her sudden disappearance haunts him. This sets him on a life-long search for his first love, a journey that takes him between worlds. He starts in a bustling city, toiling away in publishing, and later in a remote library. But it's in a mysterious town surrounded by walls where the heart of the story lies. Here, he must untether shadows and make a crucial decision as the seasons change: what is he willing to sacrifice to find his elusive first love? His decision-making process, his inner turmoil, and his growth as a character are all part of the narrative.

When @aaknopf sent me an early copy of CITY, my most anticipated release of 2024, I couldn't contain my excitement. As an avid Murakami fan who's read 11 out of 15 of his novels, I was pleasantly surprised by how CITY's vibes are different yet its settings are reminiscent of Murakami's other works. It's like revisiting a familiar place with a new perspective. I can see Murakami's continuous growth as a writer, yet he never loses his magical touch in evoking one's imagination and curiosity.

CITY will surely remind Murakami lovers of his previous novels. The walled town's setting shares many similarities with HARD-BOILED WONDERLAND AND THE END OF THE WORLD. Having read END recently, half of CITY's part 1 almost felt like a direct copy & paste—Murakami explains his decision to rewrite END in the author's notes; I'd highly encourage those curious about the BTS to read it. The high school romance reminds me of the melancholic vibes of NORWEGIAN WOODS and COLORLESS TSUKURU TAZAKI AND HIS YEARS OF PILGRIMAGE, still one of my top 3 Murakamis. The sections about working as a librarian evoke fond memories of KAFKA ON THE SHORE and had me wanting to quit my job, move to a remote village, and work in a library