To celebrate the publication of 1Q84, we're counting down to the release of the final volume on October 25th 2011.
Over the next 84 days we'll be bringing you news, competitions, exciting facts, sneak previews and much more about the
books.
THE WORLD HAS CHANGED
Murakami's magnum opus 1Q84: Volume 2 is published today, completing Aomame and Tengo's story. Thank you to everyone who has joined us throughout our 84 day countdown of facts, pictures, quotations, competitions and celebrations! For more news about Haruki Murakami please click here to become a fan of him on facebook and here to visit the Vintage Books website, where you can sign up for our monthly newsletter, enter our competitions and find out more about our books. Congratulations once again to all of our competition winners.
1 day until the world changes
Wow - only one more day to go until Murakami's 1Q84: Volume 2 is published! I hope those of you who have read or are reading Volume 1 are enjoying it - and are looking forward to completing Aomame and Tengo's stories in Volume 2.
2 days until the world changes
Today you can listen to Mark Lawson and Toby Litt discussing 1Q84 on BBC Radio 4 Front Row - please click here to listen again on the BBC website. The Murakami discussion begins 10 minutes into the programme.
3 days until the world changes
Today - a wonderful review of 1Q84 from Boyd Tonkin in the Independent, where 1Q84 was Book of the Week. Please click here to read.
4 days until the world changes
Today we have some amazing pictures from the Foyles Midnight Opening to celebrate the publication of 1Q84: Book 1. To buy a copy of the Foyles exclusive red-edged copies (in the picture below) please click here to visit their website.
5 days until the world changes
Today we can announce (a little late due to technical glitches) that the winner of the signed 1Q84 is Tia McPhee. Congratulations! Your prize is on its way.
6 days until the world changes
You can now view all of the entries to the Nowness Murakami illustration competition. Click here. The winners will be announced on 25th October.
7 days until the world changes
The day has finally arrived! Today, Haruki Murakami's 1Q84: Volume 1 is published! Bookshops and booksellers across the UK are celebrating with amazing displays (pictures of Foyles, Charing Cross Road and Waterstone's Piccadilly below), the press are writing stunning reviews and Murakami's fans can finally read the first two books of Aomame and Tengo's amazing story. Volume 2 will be published next Tuesday 25th October when out countdown will end!
Only one day until 1Q84: Volume 1 is available in the UK! To celebrate, and as a special thank you to everyone who has followed this countdown for the last 76 days, we have copies of both 1Q84: Volume 1 and Volume 2 to giveaway signed by Haruki Murakami himself. To be in with the chance of winning, simply email vintagebooks@randomhouse.co.uk with the subject line SIGNED 1Q84 and your postal address. We'll announce the very lucky winner this Wednesday 19th October at 10am on this countdown. The winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday morning20at 9.30am when this competition closes. Sorry, this competition is only open to residents of the UK and Ireland. All entrants will automatically be signed up to receive the20Vintage Books newsletter. To opt out, please include NO NEWSLETTER in your email.
9 days until the world changes
Did anyone catch the second interview with Murakami in today's Sunday Times Culture Magazine? If you have access to the Times website behind the pay-wall, you can go and read again now.
10 days until the world changes
The first English language interview with Haruki Murakami is now online on the Guardian's website - please click here to read.
Wow - only 11 days to go! Look out for interviews with Haruki Murakami about 1Q84 in the UK press this weekend.
12 days until the world changes
Another competition for you today - we have three white 1Q84 t-shirts to give away, beautifully modelled by a member of the Harvill Secker marketing team below! To win one, simply email vintagebooks@randomhouse.co.uk with the subject line 1Q84 and your postal address. (Sorry, this competition is only open to residents of the UK and Ireland and the HS model does not come included!)
13 days until the world changes
Today, Waterstone's Piccadilly announce their midnight opening plans for 1Q84. Celebrate the launch of Haruki Murakami's long-awaited 1Q84 and join Waterstones staff and Frances MacMillan, Murakami's paperback editor, to find the Murakami Mastermind in their exclusive quiz. First prize is a luxury volume limited edition of 1Q84 Book One, Two & Three, RRP £750. There is one prize of the ltd edition volume, no cash alternative, and it may be won by a team or individual entry. Please click here for more information.
14 days until the world changes
We promised you excited news - and here it is! From today you can read the following Murakami titles digitally - available to download for your digital device! Here at Vintage we're honoured to publish Murakami's backlist in e-book form - it is a momentous day for Murakami fans, current and future. The titles available now are After Dark; Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman; What I Talk About When I Talk About Running; A Wild Sheep Chase; After the Quake; Dance Dance Dance; Hard- boiled Wonderland and the End of the World; Sputnik Sweetheart; The Elephant Vanishes; Underground; The Wind-up Bird Chronicle; Norwegian Wood; Kafka on the Shore, and South of the Border, West of the Sun. Please click here to visit the Kindle store or here to open the iBookstore.
15 days until the world changes
Wow - it's only 8 days until the first volume of 1Q84 is published! Tomorrow we'll have a special announcement for you about Murakami's backlist. Don't forget to keep coming back for more competitions and exclusive news.
16 days until the world changes
A reminder today of Foyles' special midnight opening event to celebrate the publication of 1Q84: Volume 1. On the night of Monday 17th October they'll be keeping the Foyles Charing Cross Road Cafe open late and serving up jazz from the Henrik Jensen Quartet, readings from Murakami fans Stuart Evers, Julie Myerson and more, plus Japanese drink and nibbles. Then at midnight, when we can officially declare it Tuesday 18th, you'll have the chance to be the very first readers in the UK to get your hands on 1Q84, including our stylish limited edition versions. Please click here for more information on this free event.
17 days until the world changes
Today a lovely quote from Norwegian Wood...
‘Sunday morning I got up at nine, shaved, did my laundry and hung out the clothes on the roof. It was a beautiful day. The first smell of autumn was in the air. Red dragonflies flitted around the quadrangle, chased by neighbourhood kids swinging nets’
18 days until the world changes
Today - an article from one of Haruki Murakami's translators, Jay Rubin, who translated 1Q84: Volume 1. Please click here to read his thoughts about translating Murakami's work.
19 days until the world changes
Very exciting news for you today! You can now download, for free, a sampler of the first two chapters of 1Q84 direct to your digital reading device. Please click here for Amazon Kindle and here for the iBookstore.
20 days until the world changes
We've just received signed copies of both volumes of 1Q84 into the office... keep coming back to the countdown to be in with the chance of winning these very special copies.
21 days until the world changes
And today, we have the very exciting first glimpse of 1Q84: Volume 2...
22 days until the world changes
We can't wait to see the finished book of 1Q84: Volume 2, arriving at the Harvill Secker offices tomorrow! We'll put up a picture as soon as they arrive.
23 days until the world changes
A lovely quote from The Elephant Vanishes today ‘Greetings. The winter cold diminishes with each passing day, and now the sunlight hints at the subtle scent of springtime. I trust that you are well’
24 days until the world changes
Booksellers across the UK are getting into the Murakami spirit! Have a look at these amazing t-shirts from The Bookseller Crow...
25 days until the world changes
Today, relationship advice from Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman:
‘There are only three ways to get along with a girl: One, shut up and listen to what she has to say; two, tell her you like what’s she’s wearing; and three, treat her to really good food. Easy, huh? If you do all that and still don’t get the results you want, better give up’
26 days until the world changes
Here's the first look at the beautiful special edition of 1Q84 - exclusive to Foyles bookshops. There will only be 1500 editions of each of the volumes available with the beautiful red edging below. To pre-order please click here.
27 days until the world changes
Today - a look at all of the wonderful Murakami books we publish here at Harvill Secker and Vintage. Please click here to look at the list and explore our site further.
28 days until the world changes
For today - we have news of a special competition with Nowness.com. We're inviting you to submit an original artwork inspired by any of Murakami's best-selling novels or short stories to win exclusive Murakami editions or a commission for NOWNESS. Six winners will be announced on October 25, each awarded with a first-edition copy of 1Q84 signed by the author, as well as a complete archive of his previous works. Reflecting our ongoing commitment to discovering new creative talent, one student entrant will also be rewarded with a paid commission for NOWNESS and have their work published on the site. Please click here for more information.
29 days until the world changes
Today, we have the very exciting first glimpse of 1Q84: Volume 1...
30 days until the world changes
A fact for you today... In 1Q84, Tengo’s editor is keen to submit the novel he is working on with seventeen-year-old Fukaeri for the Akutagawa Prize. This is the most prestigious literary prize in Japan for new or up-and-coming writers. It was founded in honour of the author Ryunosuke Akutagawa. Akutagawa is most famous for having written a short story called ‘In a Grove’ which was adapted into the film Rashomon directed by Akira Kurosawa.
31 days until the world changes
From Kafka on the Shore... ‘The man before him was tall, thin, and wearing a black silk hat… He had on a form-fitting red coat with long tails, a black waistcoat and long black boots. His trousers were as light as snow and fitted him perfectly. One hand was raised to his hat as if he were tipping it politely to a lady… Looking at the hat, Nakata suddenly thought: ‘This must be the cat-catcher!’
32 days until the world changes
A fact for you today - Murakami's favourite lunch is eel! Now you know.
33 days until the world changes
Today, an inspiring quote from The Elephant Vanishes - 'Something will work out tomorrow, I thought. And if not, then tomorrow I'll do some thinking. Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on.
34 days until the world changes
Don't forget that 1Q84 is available for Amazon Kindle as well as the two physical hardback editions. To pre-order for Kindle please click here.
35 days until the world changes
Another fact for you today... in 1Q84 Tengo's father works for the NHK, the Japanese equivalent of the BBC.
36 days until the world changes
Kirkus Review in the US have given 1Q84 a starred review praising the novel as 'Orwellian dystopia, sci-fi the modern world (terrorism, drugs, apathy, pop novels) all blend in this dreamlike, strange and wholly unforgettable epic.'
37 days until the world changes
Waterstone's are very much getting into the Murakami spirit - you can pre-order now from their website and in store.
38 days until the world changes
Today, a piece from the Guardian about how 1Q84 is set to 'take the west by storm'. Please click here to read the full article.
39 days until the world changes
Today a great quote from the Japan Times...'1Q84 may become a mandatory read for anyone trying to get to grips with contemporary Japanese culture'
40 days until the world changes
Today we launch the UK trailer for 1Q84!
41 days until the world changes
While Murakami was writing Kafka on the Shore, his drink of choice was the 'Siberian Express' - Smirnoff Vodka, Perrier and lemon.
42 days until the world changes
This cat statue lives on Haruki Murakami's desk while he writes.
43 days until the world changes
Wow - only 10 days until we're expecting finished copies of 1Q84: Volume 1 in the building. We'll post a photo as soon as they arrive.
44 days until the world changes
Murakami and love...
"Are you free today? I'd like to talk more."
"You mean, about your falling in love with someone other than me?"
"Right," she said, "About my falling passionately in love with someone other than you."
I clamped the phone between my head and shoulder and stretched. "I'm free in the evening.' Sputnik Sweetheart
45 days until the world changes
'"It's wrong, I tell you. There's something wrong with this place. People can't live without their shadows, and shadows can't live without people. Yet they are splitting us apart. I don't like it. There's something wrong here."' Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
46 days until the world changes
Today, an excerpt from a lecture Murakami delivered in 1992 on writing:
'The most important things is confidence. You have to believe you have the ability to tell the story, to strike the vein of water, to make the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Without that confidence, you can't go anywhere. It's like boxing. Once you climb into the ring, you can't back out. You have to fight until the match is over. That is the way I write my novels, and I love to read novels that have been written this way. To me, spontaneity is everything.
I believe in the power of the story. I believe in the power of the story to arouse something in our spirits, in our minds something has been handed down to us from ancient times. John Irving once said that a good story is like a mainline [narcotic]. If you can inject a good one into readers' veins, they'll get the habit and come back to you for the next one, no matter what the critics have to say. His metaphor is shocking, but I think he's right'
47 days until the world changes
Today we're giving you an amazing glipse of 1Q84 - please click hereto read the first chapter of the novel on Haruki Murakmi's Facebook fan page.
48 days until the world changes
'April was too lonely a month to spend all alone. In April, everyone around me looked happy. People would throw off their coats and enjoy each others company in the sunshine, talking, playing catch, holding hands' Norwegian Wood
49 days until the world changes
'I often dream about the Dolphin Hotel. In these dreams, I'm there, implicated in some kind of ongoing circumstance. All indications are that I belong in this dream continuity.' Dance Dance Dance
