First Person Singular by Haruki Murakami, Read by Kotaro Watanabe

Every Monday through Friday, AudioFile’s editors recommend the best in audiobook listening. We keep our daily episodes short and sweet, with audiobook clips to give you a sample of our featured listens.

Kotaro Watanabe’s performance gently pulls listeners into Murakami’s imaginary worlds in First Person Singular. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss how his flat delivery makes the plot unfold like a morning paper, while the action arrives deliberately. While magic happens in the stories, the characters often seem listless, even as the setting feels surreal. Watanabe maintains the sense of unease and disconnection that pervades this audiobook where magical realism reigns, and he makes sure that each story will linger with the listener. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website.

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