What is it about the novels of Haruki Murakami that have captivated millions of readers around the world? Why do his depictions of apathetic young men in urban Japan translate so well across languages and cultures, making him one of the world’s most popular authors? His work is often criticised for being repetitive, overly ambiguous and occasionally misogynistic, yet his legions of fans look past these shortcomings and obsess over his books, impatiently waiting for the latest one to be translated into their language.

Perhaps the answer can be found at the intersection of method and motivation. Although Murakami is famously reluctant to explain his work or divulge information about his personal life, what little we know for certain hints at a reasonable explanation for his global appeal. It is that his magical realist–like prose primarily deals with the universal subject of grief.

• Tags: David Wills, Haruki Murakami, Issue 34, Japan