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What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
 
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What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (Hardcover)

by Haruki Murakami (Author), Philip Gabriel (Translator)
4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Harvill Secker (7 Aug 2008)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1846552206
  • ISBN-13: 978-1846552205
  • Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13.4 x 2.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 31,584 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #15 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > M > Murakami, Haruki

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Product Description

Review
`wonderfully written account' --The Daily Mail Christmas Books

GQ
`comical, charming and philosophical...excellent memoir'

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Customer Reviews

31 Reviews
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 (18)
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Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (31 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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95 of 100 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Zen running, Zen writing, 10 Aug 2008
By emma who reads a lot (London) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   
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.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Lonliness Of A Long Distance Writer, 30 Sep 2008
By pjr (London, England) - See all my reviews
Anyone who knows anything of Murakmi's work should be aware that a book about running written by him won't just be a book about running. Short, but never slight, the book muses on many subjects from memory, to why he started writing, perfecting a swimming technique, to some of the best music to run to. All written in Murakmi's own distinctive voice.

Whatever he writes about this is Murakami's voice you're hearing. There is insight into the kind of person he is and also the kind of person runners are. There is plenty of running here and at times it does almost feel like the book has been written at the pace of a long run as its energy is brisk yet economical. For anyone looking for a big novel, it's not here. For anyone who wants a look into the world of a man who likes to write and run and tell you about it there's enough here to keep you entertained for a while.
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20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars I know how he feels, 16 Aug 2008
By M. J. Mooney "villafan82" (Leeds, West Yorkshire) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Well I'm coming at this from he opposite direction from Emma (above), but I agree with her assessment of the book.

As a 50-something runner and lover of Murakami's novels I found this fascinating - read it in one sitting (well, lying - it was an overnight hospital stay).

Recmmended for runners and couch potatoes alike.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Too much of a gentle jog
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. Read more
Published 2 days ago by C. Young

4.0 out of 5 stars quite interesting but not sheepish

If you want a little personal history and motivation it'll deliver but strangely you're left knowing less about the author than you would if you read one of his novels.
Published 7 days ago by Maccoll Hamish

4.0 out of 5 stars Inside track
I had heard about this book some time ago and since I have taken up running recently I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Read more
Published 1 month ago by M. Johnson

5.0 out of 5 stars A really short, yet short inspiration read that is not to be missed!
If you're one of those people that sees runners and wonder's "why on earth do they bother?" this book may just help you understand. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Abu Alisha

5.0 out of 5 stars A good purchase
the book was in perfect condition. I am very happy with having bought if from this company.
Published 2 months ago by Mario Gaite-navarro

5.0 out of 5 stars Living life to the fullest
Jazz bar owner, writer, marathon runner, ultra-marathon runner, triathlete. Hawaii, Tokyo, Cambridge in Massachusetts, Lake Saroma in Hokkaido, New York, Boston. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ironman365

5.0 out of 5 stars An examination of motivation; an honest and moving record of the highs and lows of long-distance running; ambitious; admirable..
I thoroughly enjoyed and admired this book - both the subject and how it was handled. Unlike Murakami's novels which get too lost in fantasy for my taste, this is based totally in... Read more
Published 2 months ago by stevieby

3.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading, not worth buying at full price
The book was worth reading, but was nothing at all like his other books. It gave me insight into the author's lifestyle, and honestly it inspired me to start running, but I did... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Pepper

3.0 out of 5 stars Bought this for my husband - he found it a bit dull!
Bought this for my husband who is training for the marathon and is a running convert. His friend had raved about the book so I bought it for my husband. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Fi P

5.0 out of 5 stars what I talk about when i talk about books
I'm a great belieiver that there are certain books that you read at certain times in your life that change your life! I remember some from my childhood. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dr. Susan Steele

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