Haruki Murakami's new book, 1Q84, which can be read as 1984, is in Japanese bookstores Friday. (Shizuo Kambayashi/Associated Press)

The first novel in five years by critically acclaimed modern writer Haruki Murakami hits bookstores in Japan on Friday.

Little is known about the two-volume novel 1Q84, which can be read 1984, because both the publisher and the author have released no details.

But that hasn't stopped thousands of fans from pre-ordering the book, which will have an initial print run of 300,000 copies of Part 1 and 280,000 copies of Part 2.

Murakami, winner of the 2007 Kiriyama Prize for Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman and the 2002 Kafka Prize for Kafka on the Shore, has a wide international following. However, it is not yet known when the book will be translated into English.

Known for capturing the absurdity and loneliness of modern life, Murakami, 60, weaves both humour and pop references into his work.

He generally shuns the spotlight and decided not to release details about his latest novel after hearing that leaks about his 2002 bestseller, Kafka on the Shore, spoiled its novelty value for readers.

His publisher, Shinchosha Publishing Co., said it had done no pre-release marketing of the book.

However, Amazon.com had reported 20,000 advance orders and fans rushed to bookstores in Japan to snap up the first copies.

"The secrecy surrounding the work has made customers desperate to get hold of this book," said Toshiaki Uchida, assistant manager of a bookshop in central Tokyo.

1Q84 is described as a "complex and surreal narrative" that "shifts back and forth between tales of two characters, a man and a woman, who are searching for each other." Murakami deals with themes of murder, history, cult religion, violence, family ties and love.

Critics are wondering if the title, translated as 1984 because the "Q" in Japanese has the same sound as "nine," is a reference to George Orwell's classic.

It also may be a tribute to The True Story of Ah Q, a novella by Chinese writer Lu Xun, whose work is said to have influenced Murakami.

Murakami, who grew up in Kyoto and the Kobe area, was the son of two teachers of Japanese literature, but was influenced by Western writers and culture in his youth.

With files from The Associated Press