Two books translated by Professor Gabriel are set to be published in April. One is Haruki Murakami's new short story collection First Person Singular, and the other is a best-selling Japanese novel called Lonely Castle in the Mirror.
Haruki Murakami's First Person Singular is a collection of eight short stories, seven of which appeared in Japanese magazines between 2018 and 2019, plus one new story written specially for the collection. Three of the stories have appeared in The New Yorker in Professor Gabriel's translation.
Mizuki Tsujimura's Lonely Castle in the Mirror is very popular in Japan, and won the annual Japan Bookseller's Prize in 2018. It deals with seven junior high age children who refuse to attend school. Part fantasy, part social commentary, it's a touching story of struggle and friendship. The translation will be published first in the UK, then later in the US.
Congratulations, Professor Gabriel!