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trin's review against another edition
4.0
This is an example of (re)reading a book at the perfect time: I've been struggling with my writing lately, and I've taken up running. Obviously, this memoir has a relevance to me that it lacked before (hence the rating increase). I found this really inspirational, in Murakami's typically quiet, understated way. (I hadn't read anything by him in a while and I just felt so soothed from page 1.) I hope I can take it to heart, both when I run and when I write.
***Original Review***
Yet another way in which Haruki Murakami is more awesome than you: not only does he write amazing novels and nifty short stories, he’s also a long-distance runner who’s raced in marathons, triathalons, and even a day-long supermarathon in Hokkaido. This book, the first piece of nonfiction I’ve read by him, chronicles a year in his life as a runner. I liked it less than his fiction. Parts are slow: the endless tally serious runners have to make of distances run in such-and-such lengths of time. I liked the book best when Murakami was talking about a specific event, such as running the original marathon course in Greece—when he was telling a story, in other words. I also really liked when he talked about being a novelist in comparison to being a runner—both require discipline and the ability to go the distance. This book is one of the things that inspired me to work on my own stupid novel every damn day.
I’m glad I read this, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re a) really into running or b) have recently become a big Murakami fangirl, like some people I could mention.
***Original Review***
Yet another way in which Haruki Murakami is more awesome than you: not only does he write amazing novels and nifty short stories, he’s also a long-distance runner who’s raced in marathons, triathalons, and even a day-long supermarathon in Hokkaido. This book, the first piece of nonfiction I’ve read by him, chronicles a year in his life as a runner. I liked it less than his fiction. Parts are slow: the endless tally serious runners have to make of distances run in such-and-such lengths of time. I liked the book best when Murakami was talking about a specific event, such as running the original marathon course in Greece—when he was telling a story, in other words. I also really liked when he talked about being a novelist in comparison to being a runner—both require discipline and the ability to go the distance. This book is one of the things that inspired me to work on my own stupid novel every damn day.
I’m glad I read this, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re a) really into running or b) have recently become a big Murakami fangirl, like some people I could mention.
ajbeverley's review against another edition
This book is interesting even if you're not into running (I'm not) and even most runners aren't running with Murakami's devotion. I especially enjoyed the reflections on links between running and being a novelist, as well as his descriptions of his daily routines and travel.
mayagraci's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
lienhsin's review against another edition
3.5
murakami stays healthy to write books for a long time; i want to stay healthy to read books for a long time..........