In 1982, having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, Murakami began running to keep fit. A year later, he'd completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and now, after dozens of such races, not to mention triathlons and a slew of critically acclaimed books, he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and on his writing. Equal parts travelogue, training log, and reminiscence, this revealing memoir covers his four-month preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon and settings ranging from Tokyo's Jingu Gaien gardens, where he once shared the course with an Olympian, to the Charles River in Boston among young women who outpace him.Through this marvellous lens of sport emerges a cornucopia of memories and insights: the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer, his greatest triumphs and disappointments, his passion for vintage LPs, and the experience, after fifty, of seeing his race times improve and then fall back. By turns funny and sobering, playful and philosophical, "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" is rich and revealing, both for fans of this masterful yet private writer and for the exploding population of athletes who find similar satisfaction in distance running.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Trade In this Item for up to £0.50
Trade in What I Talk About When I Talk About Running for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £0.50, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Learn more
|
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
`It's quirky and wise' -- Evening Standard
`wonderfully written account' -- The Daily Mail Christmas Books
'...In its self-contained way, it's nothing less than an inspiration' -- Evening Standard, Book of the Week, David Sexton
`Likeable and often rewarding'
-- The Spectator
`The closest thing to a memoir that Haruki Murakami will ever write' -- Sunday Herald, Stephan Phelan
`[Murakami] says no-one can warm to a character like his, but ... we keep pace and pay rapt attention.'
-- The Times, Iain Finlayson
`comical, charming and philosophical...excellent memoir' -- GQ
`takes in views of all literature, sport and the uphill journey of ageing, all with a modest fluency' -- The Independent, Boyd Tonkin
`there's a wandering, digressive, free-form quality to the writing - like improvised jazz...and you finish the book charmed...'
-- The Observer, Jason Cowley
the reward is an utterly unique read
-- Kudos
`wonderfully written account' -- The Daily Mail Christmas Books
'...In its self-contained way, it's nothing less than an inspiration' -- Evening Standard, Book of the Week, David Sexton
`Likeable and often rewarding'
-- The Spectator
`The closest thing to a memoir that Haruki Murakami will ever write' -- Sunday Herald, Stephan Phelan
`[Murakami] says no-one can warm to a character like his, but ... we keep pace and pay rapt attention.'
-- The Times, Iain Finlayson
`comical, charming and philosophical...excellent memoir' -- GQ
`takes in views of all literature, sport and the uphill journey of ageing, all with a modest fluency' -- The Independent, Boyd Tonkin
`there's a wandering, digressive, free-form quality to the writing - like improvised jazz...and you finish the book charmed...'
-- The Observer, Jason Cowley
the reward is an utterly unique read
-- Kudos
Book Description
`The closest thing to a memoir that Haruki Murakami will ever write'
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
188 of 195 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Haruki Murakami has run for his entire writing life, taking it up when he realised that the sedentary existence of a novelist was making him fat; he has eventually tackled more than twenty-five marathons, half-marathons aplenty, and even one gruelling 100 kilometre "ultra-marathon" whose odd spiritual benefits are described here in satisfying detail.
His simple approach to running is set down on the page with great skill and grace. But is it a hobby? An obsession? A way to keep fit? Or something more spiritual and meaningful? You can't help plumping for the latter when you read this book, so evocative and powerful are his thoughts on the way in which running requires tenacity, persistence, and a willingness to make the mind and body do things they don't really want to do. Running becomes a way of talking about all the difficulties of life - self-discipline, lack of willpower, the need for consistency.
On the other hand, he's also fantastic on the joys and delights of running: a "very attractive" young Japanese runner who smiles at him everyday on his Tokyo circuit; the mists of the wintry Charles river in Boston; a quick turn around Central Park reservoir in the company of fellow novelist John Irving.
If you aren't even slightly interested in running the book still has something to offer. It goes into detail about his philosophy of life, and he gives his thoughts about being a writer, which is intriguing for anyone who's read his strange and delightful fiction. But in the end I kept thinking about Zen buddhism - not a subject he directly touches upon. But there is something Zen about the simplicity with which he is determined to live his life, eliminating people he doesn't really want to see, pursuing single-mindedly his time and distance goals as a running, admitting that he really prefers just being on his own. The book is charming, completely thought-provoking, and I think very profound. You might even put on your trainers and go for a run after you read it. I have to admit, I did.
His simple approach to running is set down on the page with great skill and grace. But is it a hobby? An obsession? A way to keep fit? Or something more spiritual and meaningful? You can't help plumping for the latter when you read this book, so evocative and powerful are his thoughts on the way in which running requires tenacity, persistence, and a willingness to make the mind and body do things they don't really want to do. Running becomes a way of talking about all the difficulties of life - self-discipline, lack of willpower, the need for consistency.
On the other hand, he's also fantastic on the joys and delights of running: a "very attractive" young Japanese runner who smiles at him everyday on his Tokyo circuit; the mists of the wintry Charles river in Boston; a quick turn around Central Park reservoir in the company of fellow novelist John Irving.
If you aren't even slightly interested in running the book still has something to offer. It goes into detail about his philosophy of life, and he gives his thoughts about being a writer, which is intriguing for anyone who's read his strange and delightful fiction. But in the end I kept thinking about Zen buddhism - not a subject he directly touches upon. But there is something Zen about the simplicity with which he is determined to live his life, eliminating people he doesn't really want to see, pursuing single-mindedly his time and distance goals as a running, admitting that he really prefers just being on his own. The book is charming, completely thought-provoking, and I think very profound. You might even put on your trainers and go for a run after you read it. I have to admit, I did.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By C. Young
Format:Paperback
I've not read any of Murakami's novels, nor have I seen him run, but this gentle philosophical jog gives a good impression of both his art and sport. He draws parallels between running and writing, often in a simple zen-like style, which is pleasing to read, but surprisingly slight. Although the long distance runner's sweaty battle between mind and body are engaging (the book is something of a running diary), I would have liked to read more about the parallel struggles of the long distance writer. Nonetheless Murakami's dogged example encourages this intermittent runner and occasional writer to try a wee bit harder at both.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Material for runner even non runners can benefit from it !! Very Inspiring !!
10 Sep 2008
By HuntersGold
Format:Hardcover
I found this book very inspiring and charming. When I started reading it, I found it hard to stop, literally read it from cover to cover ...not many books do that to me.
This book is very thought provoking, it makes you think about yourself, goals, its about achievement as well as doing something to live life to the fullest!! Its also about passion and lessons to be learned,and overcoming failure
I love running and this book has motivated me to keep going and set new goals not just in running but also helped drive my motivation to learn new skills and avoid procastination
He talks about how ''if something is worth doing, its worth giving it your best, even more than your best'' !!
I highly recommend this book to people who love running , and other sports. Even for the non-sporty, there is a lot to be learned from this book !!
This book is very thought provoking, it makes you think about yourself, goals, its about achievement as well as doing something to live life to the fullest!! Its also about passion and lessons to be learned,and overcoming failure
I love running and this book has motivated me to keep going and set new goals not just in running but also helped drive my motivation to learn new skills and avoid procastination
He talks about how ''if something is worth doing, its worth giving it your best, even more than your best'' !!
I highly recommend this book to people who love running , and other sports. Even for the non-sporty, there is a lot to be learned from this book !!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 152 reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
3 out of 5 stars to this little gem!
Mostly known for his series of "1Q84" books, Haruki Murakami is a best selling author.
I haven't yet tugged into the "1Q84" books myself, but my love for running made me... Read more
I haven't yet tugged into the "1Q84" books myself, but my love for running made me... Read more
Published 13 days ago by Ct92
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
Heard so many good things about this book but ended up having to force myself to read it until i finally just gave up. Read more
Published 14 days ago by Pondy
3.0 out of 5 stars
Bought for a gift to my running buddy, read it already in greek!
This product was bought as a gift for a friend who has participated in lots of half marathons and who motivates me to go out running. Read more
Published 15 days ago by eftichia
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for Murakami Fans who Run
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as a fan of Murakami's work and as a budding runner myself. Though I've only read two of his previous works, Kafka on the Shore and Norweigen Wood... Read more
Published 16 days ago by Ingram
5.0 out of 5 stars
inspirational
I loved this book which I bought as I have just taken up running.it is inspirational.i couldnt put it down and once I had finished it I wanted to start it all over again. Read more
Published 1 month ago by lesleym
5.0 out of 5 stars
What Murakami talks about when he talks about running...
Is writing. Kind of. Actually its mostly running. But why create a duality? Murakami gives a true insight in to the mental processes and the sheer endurance that go in to both. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Damien G Walter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Short sweet and revealing
I enjoyed this book though I'm not interested in running. That's a back-handed compliment to the skill of the writer. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Adam abdelnoor
4.0 out of 5 stars
review
Book arrived promptly and in good condition. I am enjoying reading this story and would recommend it to anybody interested in running especially if they are new to the sport as its... Read more
Published 2 months ago by C E Gravell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clever
If you are about to partake in a marathon or half marathon - this book is a great book to read.
Published 2 months ago by kelly ford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read if you love running
Excellent book for those who like running, or those who like Murakami.
Deep thinking about self achievement through running and sports.
Deep thinking about self achievement through running and sports.
Published 2 months ago by Jimena
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
