There is no response possible other than bemused joy to Tuesday’s news that Haruki Murakami, Mr “publicity shy” himself, is setting himself up as an agony uncle. Murakami, according to his publisher Shinchosha, will “pen answers to queries, offering his opinions and advice on how to tackle all manner of difficulties”.
Apparently, the unusual move comes because the novelist is keen for more interaction with his fans. “After so long, I want to exchange emails with readers,” he is quoted as saying.
Given the unexpected opportunity, it is difficult to know what to put to the author of Norwegian Wood – something cat-related, perhaps, or in the field of jazz. Although who knows, maybe his perspective is exactly what I need on my current pressing issues of toddler sleep and four-year-old frenemies. At any rate, it seems fans will take him seriously; one told the Financial Times that she has followed to the letter his advice in the 1990s “never to write emails at night because you might regret them in the morning”.
It makes me wonder, though, if we could get other authors involved in similar enterprises: a literary friend to turn to, whatever your problem. Not having enough sex? Jilly Cooper may be able to advise (or EL James, although their answers might be rather different). Money worries? Thackeray or John Lanchester. Addiction issues? Stephen King. Feeling a little too friendly towards a sibling? Ian McEwan’s your man. Partner cheating? Well, most novelists seem to be pretty expert in that area.
But the writer I’d most like to make time to solve all our problems has to be Terry Pratchett. Down-to-earth, acerbic, skewerer of all pomposity and hilarious to boot: there’s no one better equipped to put troubled souls back on the right track. How about you? Who would be your literary problem solver of choice?
