Killing Commendatore

The latest bewitching, kaleidoscopic novel from master storyteller Haruki Murakami, author of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and 1Q84.

Killing Commendatore follows the story of a thirty-something portrait painter who, after being unexpectedly abandoned by his wife, retreats to a secluded mountain home that once belonged to a famous Japanese artist. In his solitude, he attempts to start anew, spending his days painting, listening to classical music, and enjoying whisky in the evenings. This tranquil yet desolate routine is disrupted when he stumbles upon an unusual and powerful painting hidden in the attic, entitled "Killing Commendatore".

This discovery propels him into an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and surreal encounters. As he delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding the painting, he becomes entangled in a series of enigmatic events including the persistent toll of a mysterious bell, the intriguing presence of a perceptive and talented thirteen-year-old girl, a chilling assassination plot from the era of Nazi Germany, and encounters with a spectral underworld.

Weaving elements of magical realism, Murakami masterfully blends the mundane with the supernatural. The novel explores profound themes of love, art, war, and loneliness, bringing them to life through a narrative that is both haunting and mesmerizing.

Killing Commendatore is not just a tale of one man's isolation and exploration of his inner self, but a mesmerizing and intricate tapestry that compels readers to reflect on the hidden secrets within their own lives. Murakami's keen observations on the human condition and the extraordinary camouflaged within everyday life make this book a truly astounding piece of literary artistry.

Beguiling... Murakami is brilliant at folding the humdrum alongside the supernatural; finding the magic that's nested in life's quotidian details - Guardian

Pre-order Haruki Murakami's new novel, The City and Its Uncertain Walls, now.