Ryu Murakami, the Japanese author known for subversive novels that explored violence, drug use and the dark edges of Japanese society, died on 17 October at home aged 74. His publisher Gentosha confirmed the death.
Murakami wrote more than 40 works of fiction over a career that earned him the label "enfant terrible" of contemporary Japanese literature. His novels incorporated explicit content and blackly comic storytelling to critique Japanese and American culture. His 1997 novel Audition became a landmark indie horror film, introducing his work to audiences beyond the page.
The author built a substantial readership across multiple continents with his uncompromising approach to subject matter and style. Beyond writing, Murakami also worked as a film-maker, extending his artistic reach into cinema.