Haruki Murakami's new book went on sale in Japan on Friday, but dozens of enthusiastic fans marked the release at a countdown event at a major Tokyo bookstore to get their first copies as soon as the clock struck midnight.
"The Tale of KAHO” is the Japanese author's first full-length novel featuring a lone female protagonist, according to Shinchosha Publishing Co.
"Kaho, a picture book author, is just an average young woman. But truly bizarre things start happening around her,” Murakami said in a brief message posted on the publisher’s campaign website. "I wrote this novel as I put myself in her shoes.”
His statement drew the attention of many fans because most of Murakami's protagonists are young or middle-aged men.
"I'm excited about finding out how the story evolves around a female main character,” said Naoyuki Yamano, the first customer to buy the new Murakami novel.
