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What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
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Product Description
Review
`wonderfully written account' --The Daily Mail Christmas Books
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
GQ
`comical, charming and philosophical...excellent memoir'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
174 of 180 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.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
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
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 !!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
what I drone on about when I'm disappointed
The rave reviews suggest there must be something there that passed me by, I just found it drab, dull and droning, despite being a runner who enjoys biographies and a bit of... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Stephen Baxendale
First e-book I have deleted
I was utterly disappointed after reading countless good reviews of this book and purchasing it. I found it to be the ramblings of an old man with no literary skill of any note. Read more
Published 3 months ago by ymaohyd
Arrived quickly and in good condition
No problems with this order. Arrived in excellent condition and was sent securely and quickly. Apparently a very good book about running, was a good present for a friend who runs... Read more
Published 5 months ago by A. GOODMAN
Ah....Interesting....!
I was caught by the title and having run in the past my imagination (and expectation) were fired. What I found was an interesting walk through areas of the author's life,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by A. J. Ward
Not just for runners (or writers)
Murakami is one of my favorite writers but I had never read "Running" because I am definitely not a good runner (saying that I run like a girl would be a kindness). Read more
Published 5 months ago by Candis
The deeply personal journey of a runner and writer
An open, honest, and thoughtful book, full of biographical reflections on running, writing and life in general. Read more
Published 5 months ago by David Briddock
Will reasonate with ageing endurance athletes
This is a slightly strange book, as it is not a detailed training record, not an autobiography and does not contain any particularly profound "life lessons". Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mark B
Don't believe the hype
Bought this book based on the feedback on this site and being a keen runner.
I read the book and it is OK, easy reading so to speak but to me is it the ramblings /... Read more
I read the book and it is OK, easy reading so to speak but to me is it the ramblings /... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Shroppy
Loved it
This was a fascinating insight into the life of my favourite author. As well as portraying his obsession with running, he also gives his thoughts on his writing and you really get... Read more
Published 7 months ago by M Williams
Great For Any Runner
I had not read any of Murakami's novels before I got. Murakami tells us about his experiences as a runner, a triathelte and and an ultra marathoner and the effect this has had on... Read more
Published 7 months ago by J. Lock
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