What I Talk About When I Talk About Running ~Haruki Murakami
–2008, Alfred A. Knopf
–180 pages
–4/5 stars
In 1982, Haruki Murakami did two things–he began writing, and he began running. For more than 25 years he has not ceased doing either activity and both have brought him degrees of success and pleasure. In this, a memoir of sorts, Haruki Murakami uses the framework of running to showcase his view of life over the last two and a half decades and in so doing shares a variety of things with the reader that reveal at least some of the reasons that he writes unforgettable, hauntingly beautiful novels.
For those who may not know, Haruki Murakami is a Japanese author who has won numerous awards around the world for his unique fiction, including the Franz Kafka Prize and the World Fantasy Award. I was first made aware of his work by my friend Cameron and then when several bloggers began reviewing his works. The pull to give him a try eventually became irresistible and I found myself going on a small Murakami binge last year. According to Wikipedia, the Virginia Quarterly Review described Murakami’s work as “easily accessible, yet profoundly complex”. I agree. My first taste made me a fan, and it was that respect for his work that made me first want to pick up this recently released memoir.
In the interest of full disclosure, I ‘read’ this book via the audio version which I just happened to stumble across at my local library. The book is not long and as such made for a very quick read, even when listening to someone else read it. The reader was slightly above average, and while he did not take away from the experience of the book, I certainly did not feel he added anything significant to the experience. It is somewhat odd wrapping your mind around an English-speaking non-Asian voice reading the thoughts and feelings of an Asian man. Once I got beyond that, I enjoyed the reading.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a book about running, to be sure, most specifically about the four months of training leading up to the 2005 New York City Marathon. It is not a book describing the running technique nor a self-help book on how to be healthy, a fact which Murakami points out in the foreward. Instead the book uses the reminiscences about running to reveal some details about Haruki Murakami’s life before writing, how he decided to become a writer (a story that will thrill some would-be writers and make others want to curse the heavens), and how both running and writing has shaped his view of his life. It is also an examination of aging, at the very least when it comes to how age affects the success of a marathon runner.
For over 25 years Haruki Murakami has run nearly every day. Every year he has taken part in a marathon and in some years has also participated in triathlons. His is the disciplined life that subtly encourages the reader to examine life through the lens of setting and achieving goals, of establishing order in the midst of chaos. Do not get me wrong, Murakami never preaches a way of life. The book never once becomes a ‘this is how to be a writer’ or ‘this is how to be a runner’ essay. It is more intimate than that. It is Murakami’s diary. And through it the reader sees glimpses of the author that shed light on the things that are present in his novels, particularly music, which comes up throughout What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.
It is hard for me to gauge the potential appeal of this book. Certainly Haruki Murakami fans will find it interesting. I also imagine those who consider themselves ‘runners’ would find a kindred spirit in the roller coaster of emotions that Haruki Murakami goes through as he ages and sees his own personal goals become harder to achieve. The book is written in a nice conversational style that held my interest throughout. While it is not a tell-all book that reveals every facet of the writer of such indescribably beautiful stories, it does reveal some of the heart of the man and makes me anxious to read more of his work. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a good book.
I feel like I have been on a ‘self-help’ reading jag of sorts over the last several weeks. Not an intentional one and certainly not a traditional one, but beginning with Kabuki: The Alchemy and continuing through everything I have reviewed since then, these books have caused me to examine various parts of my life and have encouraged me, in unique ways, to extract more out of my day to day existence. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is no exception to that, as it caused me to think a great deal about how I spend my work day and changes I would like to make in my routine. And, now that I am officially in my forties, it also made me think more about being disciplined in my walking, something that I did faithfully for a long time over a year ago. During that time I lost a significant amount of weight and felt better than I ever had in my life. I want to get back there, not for superficial reasons, but because I truly believe I need that energy and health to be the person I want to be and to accomplish the goals I want to accomplish.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a good book. If any portion of this review makes the book sound interesting to you, then I do believe you would enjoy it. Haruki Murakami is a talented writer and although this is different material, it reveals the hand of a skilled wordsmith.
Oh thank you for alerting me to his memoir. I want to read more of his work.
Great review! I’ve been sorta shying away from this book because it’s not like his other novels I’ve read and I used to be a runner and have been wanting to get back into running. But since it’s not a “how-to” and just a memior-ish type of book, I think that might be more encouraging. Thank you 🙂
Hey Carl,
You might have seen already, but if not, you will probably enjoy this:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/movies/2009/04/wilson-and-gaiman-at-work-and-play.html
I’m almost ashamed to say I’ve never read any of Murakami’s work, but that’s not for lack of interest! This does sound interesting, but I think I’d like to start with one of his novels first. Excellent review!
Yoli: You are welcome. 🙂
Kailana: Thanks for the link. Now would probably not be the best time to admit that I really don’t like Gahan Wilson’s work? I know many do, and I find no fault in that, but it just isn’t for me.
J.S. Peyton: No reason to be ashamed. I hadn’t either until last year. Everyone would give you a different answer, but I would say start with After Dark. It is a relatively short novel, wonderfully done, and (based on what I’ve read about his books) has a more definite ending than some of his novels.
uh, you do know you are talking to me and I am not a big Gaiman fan and a lot of people are… sooo…. If I can admit that freely, you can admit that you are not a big Gahan Wilson fan. 🙂
I have heard good things about this book but didn’t know he had written other works as well. I’ll look him up next time I’m at the library (or bookstore)!
Valerie: I didn’t realize until I read this that he had also written a nonfiction book about the Tokyo gas attacks. In addition to the many novels and short story collections of his that I haven’t read, I would like to read this.
Kailana: To be honest, every time you mention that you are not a fan of Gaiman I just put my fingers in my ears and go “la, la, la”…not a very effective method of denial since I can still read your opinions. 😉
This sounds really interesting…I’ll have to move it up on the wishlist. Great review Carl! Interesting that you should post this today too, because I just bought a new pair of running shoes and went jogging for the first time in ages! I’m determined to get back on track to being healthy!
I’m so glad to read your review of this Carl, because while I think Murakami is a master at writing, I loathe running. However, in the light that you cast upon it: how running has shaped him along with his writing, my interest is piqued.
I come from a long line of exercise fanatics, and the worst (funniest?) Thanksgiving I can ever remember is at my aunt’s house when Jim Fixx (The Expert on running) died while running. I began laughing at the irony of the situation, which was not well received by any of the members of my family sitting around the table with their two ounce piece of white meat turkey. All I can say is, “Whoever died reading?”
I’m looking forward to picking up this latest Murakami.
Hey Carl! Enjoyed the book review. It caught my eye because it didn’t really seem like your typical choice for reading. Running is not my choice either – I hate to run. Actually despise is a better word. This year I’ve determined to get healthier and have been walking on my new treadmill each day and actually have taken to breaking into a run also. So this book intrigues me and I might just pick it up and add it to the pile that I have started.
I completely understand the “hitting 40 and re-evaluating” thoughts. I’m trying to embrace it. hmmm….
Hey Karen, yes, this is definitely not a typical book for me and I have sincere doubts I would have ever tried it had I not already developed a fondness for this author’s short stories and novels. I ran in high school for a time and it turned out to not really be my thing either. Definitely have to embrace the 40’s, no sense trying to run away from them. 😉
Bellezza: You are a fan of his and I would recommend reading this, for sure. I would have laughed at that situation as well. It is the shocking irony of it all.
Chris: That is funny. You should definitely read this too since you are a fan of his work anyway, and most especially now that you’ve decided to start running.
Okay, I totally forgot what I was going to say (nothing terribly significant, I’m sure) after reading Bellezza’s comments. I may just have stencil her words on our reading room wall, “Whoever died reading?”
And if you did, what a way to go! Although I’d want it to happen as I finished the story, not somewhere in the middle or just before the climax…that would be disappointing!
Amanda: somehow your comment caught caught in the spam filter, so I’m sorry I haven’t responded back to you before now. If you are a Murakami fan and want to get back into running this is a MUST READ! 🙂
Running…hmm. I guess that could appeal to the over 40 crowd?
very nice review, carl, thanks!
and a very appealing book. you sneak you, you’ve tantalised me just enuogh to make me want to read this!
i do love old haruki. he’s so warm, isn’t he?
Jeff: maybe if it was running to the pizza place, or running after Scarlett Johansson! 😉
JP: It is appealing. I certainly recommend trying to find it at the library vs. buying it as it is not one I can imagine wanting to reread every few years, but it is well worth reading once.
This is one of the books I broughtwith me to Dubai. Ironically, I seem to have lost the discipline to read everyday since coming over.
Thank you for reminding about the book. That said, I need to start running.
You’re welcome, Dark O. I think we all go through those periods of reading droughts. I need to start…exercising. I cannot see myself running, but I do have to get back to walking regularly and biking some.