Murakami gives his readers a chance to revisit a certain walled City from Hard-Boiled Wonderland in this philosophical fantasy adventure. If you enjoyed the 1985 novel, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find this reimagining loyal and familiar, but forging its own path, as well.

As is so often the case with his books, the author delivers a humorous, thought-provoking story composed of short chapters, some of which raise enough questions for an entire discussion of their own. He intentionally makes it difficult to determine whether the human being or the shadow is the one doing the narration, as well as to understand what the distinction means, both in terms of the story and the metaphor. Yet, the magic of a Murakami story is that he convinces you that contemplating that paradoxical question might actually reveal some secret of the universe. This symphony had a few off-key notes, but is otherwise a masterpiece. Fans will be delighted at this return to form, reminiscent of Killing Commendatore. Put the herbal tea on to boil and remember to protect your earlobes in This City and Its Uncertain Walls.

A transcendent thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC

A meditative and beautiful read, Murakami's "The City and Its Uncertain Walls" is the type if book that sticks with the reader Ling after the last page is turned. It's sort of the kind of book that you don't really "get" until it's over and all the pieces have fallen into place. Full of allegory, beautiful descriptions, and captivating prose, this is a beautiful escape of the author at his best. And what a gift it is.

I have not read every book by Murakami, so I cannot compare this book to his other works, or spot all the references as some might be able to. I don't believe I can even give this book a worthy description.
Beautifully written, Murakami's magical realism was so gentle, and peaceful. Deeply introspective at times, the characters were believable, and their world was very clear in my mind. With echoes of the pandemic in it's walled city, the commentary on the separation of the consciousness and the body will take some mulling over. I can't find words to give a synopsis of the story, and I'm not sure that the main idea of the book wasn't the promotion of the ideas discussed, and not the story itself. It's a novel that I think will be with me for quite a while.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I will be the first to admit that I read Murakami for the journey, not for the destination. But I was genuinely surprised when I reached the end of THE CITY AND ITS UNCERTAIN WALLS and realized that was the end of the book. This is probably because THE CITY AND ITS UNCERTAIN WALLS is essentially a reimagining of Murakami's earlier story HARDBOILED WONDERLAND AND THE END OF THE WORLD--which is one of Murakami's most conclusive novels (and probably my favorite Murakami book overall).

So if you haven't read HARDBOILED WONDERLAND and are walking into this book without preconceived notions about the story, you may not have the same reaction I did. I enjoyed quite a bit of this novel (again, the journey was delightful for the most part) but I probably would've enjoyed it more if it hadn't been so similar in many ways to HARDBOILED WONDERLAND, yet didn't surpass it.

While reminiscent of Murakami's earlier work, this is a truly unusual tale. There is a quiet, but compelling pace as the main character relates his teenage love and loss, his mysterious transfer to a fantastical town, and then his equally mysterious return to an unfulfilled existence in Tokyo to be followed by life working in a rural library. The relatively small cast of characters and their unusual circumstances will stick with me for a while. As a reader I felt I was always searching for a kind of meaning in the story, just as the characters themselves are. I might need to read it several more times to notice all of the parallelism, references and recursive elements, but reading it once has provided a lot for me to think about.

I doubt everyone would give this book 5 stars and it's not the kind of book I typically would, but I think it's changed how I think of things, and that seems like enough.

This was difficult to get into but I’m glad I saw it through. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting this arc.

This seems like it will be a very divisive read. I haven’t read this author before, and I feel like I’m at a disadvantage. I loved the writing, the story, and the characters, but I’m also left feeling confused.

I found it very interesting to learn that this was originally a short story written 40 years ago, and then reworked into this novel starting in 2020. The reader can feel the isolation that he was feeling while writing. I found the story to be very unique. I’ve always been fascinated by dreams, and I like the questions that are presented in this book about dream worlds and shadow selves.

Overall I really loved it. The writing was excellent, and although this was a long book, I never felt bored while reading. I do think this will be a love it or hate it kind of book based on reading preferences.

Magical realism at its best.

Future publication date November 19, 2024

You’ll want to read this if:
-you’ve enjoyed Murakami‘s other work.
-you love magical realism.
-you like waxing philosophical.
-libraries, egg shaped dreams, unicorns, ghosts, and shadows are images you want to see in your books.

Is the imagined city of these two love struck teenagers more real than the life that they are living?

The first time I finished a Murakami novel I had more questions than answers, and now, with this being the fifth novel I’ve finished by him, I can confidently say that Murakami is not in the business of supplying the reader with any kind of answers. If you’re ok with not knowing all the answers (in terms of life and with where this novel is going) then there’s no better novel for you than The City and its Uncertain Walls.

Besides pondering the concepts of time, death, souls, consciousness, and reality, Murakami also takes time to appreciate ritual. It seems almost contradictory to write a story about these abstract concepts and also write so lovingly about routine and ritual, but Murakami loves to dote on the mundane and does it so well here: blueberry muffins and coffee, lighting a fire, taking the same route home every day, the same yellow submarine hoodie, a single cigarette and drink at the end of every shift.

What didn’t work for me was the way he wrote Mrs.Soeda: overqualified and very capable, yet she basically functions as an assistant. He may not have the best handle on writing women.

His writing is very simple and easy to follow, which I think is why I’m always willing to embark on these absurd journeys that force me to contemplate things we will never have answers to. It’s slow and meditative and the perfect book to read in the winter with lots of attractive descriptions of cozy fires lit in libraries on snowy evenings.

Thank you @netgalley and @knopf for this e-ARC

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! So glad I gave Murakami another try. A reflective novel of Self and the internal search for deeper meaning.

The main character’s search and restlessness for this unknown point is such an understood universal experience. A wonderful read for magical realism.

Surreal and Existential.

This dreamlike narrative is esoteric at times and not necessarily meant for the consumption of the average reader. The concepts within are heady and probing, delving deep into how we move through this world or even possibly the next. A consideration of the roles love and loss, isolation and connectivity . . . how these blurred spectrums affect our lives, at times healing and occasionally causing us harm . . . and not always able to differentiate these states as being either. A dispassionate rumination, a quiet nostalgia for the people we lose touch with over the years of our lives, including who we once were or could have been. Some sections offer thoughtful verse on how much or rather little control we have . . . only a sense of reactivity whether it's knee-jerk or volitional. Great book for group discussions. I recommend this novel to those who enjoy magical realism, self-discovery, and deep thinking.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of The City and its Uncertain Walls for my unbiased evaluation.  3.5 stars

I was impressed with this book of course is well written, it’s Murakami. It’s incredible how he writes magic realism, he truly makes you feel like you’re in a dream. Beautiful Novel about a 45 year old men that can’t forget his first love, when he was 17, together they imagen their own city with high walls. All this world has a second meaning in this men life, it does take a lot of thinking to get it all together. I do think it’s missing the climax of the story just to keep you interested because the book does feel extended. But over all a really enjoy this book and the teachings, like how we need to let go of our past to start a new life. I still can’t fully connect or understand the boy with the yellow submarine sweater and the main character but I think this is the cool part of Murakami, that he leaves you thinking about his book for days, love it.

As someone for whom this novel served both as an entryway into Murakami's work, and into the greater sphere of magical realism—"The City and Its Uncertain Walls" was an engrossing, enriching, and oftentimes challenging reading experience. The translation was brimming with evocative imagery: pastel environments, introspective and heady narration, as well as a dreamlike, meandering structure. Upon reading the author's note, one can easily identify that the heft of the story was painstakingly crafted over a lengthy swath of his adult life, and granted words over two years indoors, during a consequential shift in social life and global flux.

This is certainly a book that cares about its readers, as well as the transformative power of literature to bind and connect (specific characters finding a safe haven through the library, even from across chasms). The prose feels painstakingly dialed-in, crafting something between a dissociative spell whilst lying out in the sun, and a psychotherapy session from the comfort of a chaise lounge. Much of the novel concerns itsel with the bleeding edges between the reality each of us occupies, and the myriad fantasies we construct to understand our respective lives. This was unexpectedly moody and esoteric, and the flowery prose in no way shied away from the darker facets that this type of storytelling presupposes. The book even faithfully weaves together various trains of psychological thought, going so far as to explicitly deal with the "shadow self", personified, in true Jungian form.

Murakami, rather than offering yet another in what seems like a deluge of proposed theories as to what seems to be ailing each of us, offers instead respite through the act of loosening that of which we were once sure of. For better or worse, this book reads very much the way a Rorschach test feels: stark black thoughts laid against the backdrop of snowy white canvases. Due to the sheer length of the novel, and its two act structure (acknowledged by Murakami himself as a kind of "extension" of what was initially his "finished" story), this could prove frustrating for the average reader. When committed to, though, it can prove to be a labor of love, and yield a rich amount of personal development through working through its trove of questions.

Granted the nature of the book itself, and the often less-than-pleasant subject matter, the portions that meander on setting can feel somewhat inaccessible. Murakami certainly leaves no stone unturned in describing the world(s) he's probing, but a bit of tighter, punchier verbiage would grant longer chapters some necessary levity. This, of course, might also be sheerly due to the act of translating. All in all, this is a wonderful book—one that asks much of readers, and returns a space to reflect on the relationships that changed us, the voids left behind in loss, and the ways we contend with the world around us once we uncouple ourselves from how we understand the world, only to find ourselves unable to come back.

I would recommend this to patient readers, those in desperate need of connection, and anyone with enough free space in their week to immerse themselves in the deep well of this novel's imagined world. My one caveat is that, granted the novel's heady motifs, dreamlike narrative structure, and distinct language style, this would perhaps be best read for those already well-acquainted with Murakami's singular flare for rich storytelling. This might prove inaccessible to the average reader, unacquainted with magical realism as a literary movement. It did, however, pique my interest in the rest of Murakami's work, as he clearly has had many years to ponder his interests—existence, fulfillment, connectivity across barriers (language and otherwise), as well as the power of our stories to both sustain and isolate us. For all it's pain and rumination, Murakami's voice bursts forth like a beam of sunlight. This is an earnest, tender-hearted book, and it will be on my mind for a long while—perhaps for the rest of my life/lives.

Thank you the publisher and Net Galley for letting me review this book.

A Dreamlike Journey Through Time and Space

Haruki Murakami's The City and Its Uncertain Walls is a captivating exploration of love, loss, and the enigmatic nature of reality. This latest offering from the acclaimed author invites readers into a world where dreams intertwine with waking life, and the boundaries between past, present, and future blur.

The novel centers around a young man who finds himself drawn to a mysterious city beyond a seemingly impenetrable wall. As he ventures into this timeless realm, he encounters a girl who holds the key to his past, present, and future. The narrative unfolds with a dreamlike quality, filled with surreal imagery and philosophical musings that leave a lasting impression.

Murakami's signature style, characterized by a blend of realism and magical realism, is on full display in this novel. His prose is both evocative and thought-provoking, painting vivid pictures of the city and its inhabitants. The author's exploration of themes such as memory, time, and the human condition is both profound and accessible.

While some readers may find the novel's pacing to be slow at times, its meditative quality is a significant part of its appeal. The City and Its Uncertain Walls is a book that rewards patient readers with a rich and rewarding experience. It is a testament to Murakami's enduring talent as a storyteller and his ability to create unforgettable worlds.

Overall, The City and Its Uncertain Walls is a must-read for fans of Haruki Murakami and anyone seeking a thought-provoking and imaginative literary journey.

Classic murakami share, returning to an old world in a brilliant shining new way. I found this at times oddly hilarious. The love story was bizarre and grim to me. But i think murakami kinda does his thing best in longer form. I think this is a good format for him. His shorter works are fun but i prefer him like this. He gets to really dig into a vibe.

This is a truly lovely story about the power of imagination and libraries. Wonderful characters and setting. I felt the pacing of the story fit the vibe of the book overall, however, the pacing is a little slow, especially in part one. If you are looking for a relaxing atmospheric story, then this is the book for you!

This book has all of the elements of a great story. It is beautifully written and you feel every emotion Mr. Murakami wants you to feel. I felt loneliness, hope, heartbreak, and joy. It is a wonderful read.

I found The City and Its Uncertain Walls to be extremely contemplative yet approachable. Murakami’s writing is like none I have read before, and I really enjoyed getting to read his new book. If you are a fan of magical realism, I highly recommend The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the opportunity to read this advance readers copy, in exchange for an honest review. The City and Its Uncertain Walls is a phenomenal book, one that is a shining example of Murakami at his best with elements of magical realism. It is difficult to summarize the plot so, I won’t try (read the jacket blurb) but, it is so worth it to jump into this book and just let yourself get lost in it. Every time I set this book down, I kept thinking about it and could not wait to pick it back up.

While the story does not have an fast paced plot, Murakami builds out the story so well and creates such interesting worlds here, both in what is intended to represent reality (with elements of magical realism) and a mysterious other-worldly city. There were many themes and questions raised in this book that left a lot for the reader to explore— it is even more interesting to consider this book in a post-pandemic light and to consider what this might be saying about the state of the world we’re living in and generally about the human condition. Emotions and experiences like grief and deep love were also covered throughout this book and it’s interesting to consider where exactly Murakami wants to leave the reader with these concepts, as we move between realities and as the story concludes. I know I will be thinking about this book for a while and will need more time to mull over what to take from this reading experience.

While I can understand that this book might not be for everyone, I absolutely loved it. The slow pace, deep character introspection, and truly visceral tone of this story (sometimes joyous, sometimes so unbearably sad, ominous, troubled, etc etc.) felt so real and close to me— truly unlike anything I’ve read before. I am not entirely sure what to make of the ending at this point but, it did feel like a satisfying conclusion. I will be so interested to see what other readers make of this book and I can’t wait to pick up more of Murakami’s work in the future. I would definitely recommend this to lit fic fans (lots to unpack here), magical realism fans, and those who like the authors previous works.

Elements of the writing that has made so many of Murakami's previous books wonderful are present in this novel as well: ordinary life, ordinary people, deep characterization, deep introspection, and normal characters with slightly strange happenings. I really like the passage near the end when he discusses magical realism - it felt like a very on the nose way of inserting himself and his beliefs into the story.

One of my favorite things about Murakami's writing is that sometimes the distinction between real and imaginary is blurred. There were times when I was confused whether the "real" world was the town with the wall or the mountain town with the library. He touches on this aspect of his writing when discussing the other magical realism passage, but it is one of my favorite things about his novels. I like slow writing that builds deep knowledge of the characters and writing that makes me feel present in the fictional worlds, and I think Murakami does this well. The City and Its Uncertain Walls is no exception - I wish I lived in the mountainous town with the library and the cafe.

Murakami at his most cerebral and dense. He's never an easy read, but I always feel like his worlds are "lived in." I'm not sure my high schoolers would get the point of his stories, so I likely won't buy it, but I enjoyed it.