The Folio Society is doing an illustrated edition of 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami, a Japanese novel about a hitwoman and a dangerous cult. Cemetery Dance spoke with editor Sophia Schoepfer about the publisher’s involvement with horror books, why they decided to take on IQ84, and her favorite horror book she’s worked on so far.
(Interview conducted by Danica Davidson)
CEMETERY DANCE: What can you tell us about the Folio Society and its involvement with Japanese books?
SOPHIA SCHOEPFER: At The Folio Society, we’re committed to creating high-quality editions of the very best literature from across the globe. We aim to publish internationally acclaimed and beloved books that reflect the breadth and richness of the world. Naturally, this includes East Asian fiction. We’re proud to celebrate a range of voices –– from Jane Austen and Stephen King to Kazuo Ishiguro and Haruki Murakami. Publishing Murakami is an honor and feels a natural fit for Folio — his work is fabulously imaginative, commands a devoted readership, and it lends itself to the creation of beautiful and surreal illustrated editions.
Why did you decide to take on 1Q84?
1Q84 is Murakami’s magnum opus. It is an epic story that brings together everything people love about his writing: the surreal, the dark and the wonderfully strange. We’ve already published many of Murakami’s most beloved books, like Norwegian Wood and Kafka on the Shore, and 1Q84 felt like the appropriate next step.
Giving this thousand-plus-page mega-novel the Folio treatment was an exciting challenge. We’ve transformed it into an impressive two-volume edition, filled to burst with magical and enigmatic artwork by artist Daniel Liévano. There are 12 full-page illustrations and over 60 decorative motifs throughout, and the books are bound in rich purple cloth and finished with dreamy foil blocking in golds, pinks, and lilacs. It is bold, ambitious and beautiful, just like the story itself.
What can you tell us about the artist you’ve chosen, Daniel Liévano?
Daniel Liévano is the illustrator behind all our Murakami books. Translating Murakami’s deeply original stories and idiosyncratic style into visuals is no easy task, but Daniel has always succeeded in not only faithfully adapting the story but also enhancing and elevating the reading experience. Each artwork is its own little mystery that captures the spirit of Murakami while offering something entirely original.
What would you like readers to take away from the Folio Society edition of 1Q84?
This is our most lavish and ambitious Murakami book yet, and it is the ultimate edition of 1Q84. Spread across two volumes, it features 12 full-page colour illustrations and over 60 magical motifs sprinkled throughout the text. It is a highly visual and immersive book designed for readers to totally lose themselves in. We hope Murakami fans delight in reading and experiencing this remarkable Folio.
What sort of horror titles has the Folio Society published?
At The Folio Society, we’re passionate about celebrating horror in all its forms. Our list spans foundational classics such as Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, to contemporary icons like Stephen King’s The Shining. Horror is a growing area of our publishing programme, and we’re excited to be releasing a core edition of Tales of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe in our upcoming Holiday Collection, following the brilliant reception of the recent Limited Edition. We aim to offer something to delight every horror aficionado.
Do you have any favorite horror titles you’ve worked on?
Working on the Folio edition of Endless Night, released in our latest Fall Collection, was a particular highlight for me. While it isn’t horror in the most traditional sense, Agatha Christie’s spine-tingling psychological thriller is perfectly crafted to unnerve and unsettle its reader. We teamed up again with Hokyoung Kim –– who also illustrated our awesome edition of Jaws –– and her artworks brilliantly capture the darkness at the heart of this love story gone terribly wrong.
