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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
I'm really glad Haruki Murakami wrote this book. It was a nice glimpse into his head and his life. He made some funny comments about writing and running and about himself and it seemed very honest. I enjoyed his philosophy, even though sometimes it seems like he is a rigid person. He definitely has discipline and I'm starting to realize how important self-discipline is for productivity and creativity. So this was a nice reminder.
Book: from Robby's collection.
Book: from Robby's collection.
Meh. It was okay. I am not much of a Murakami fan, and find him an odd voice in any case. This departure into nonfiction/essay/memoir (even he admits having trouble defining it in the endmatter) is interesting enough, and would probably resonate with runners more than it resonated with me.
The best section in my opinion was the description of Murakami's first (and, I believe only) ultramarathon, which he ran in Japan. The physical toll this took on him, as well as his deeply felt sensory experiences while running (the exquisite pickled plum around half way, for instance, when his body is desperate for salt and sweet and liquid). Other sections of note are his run from Thermopalye to Marathon (a backwards route to the "original" run), and his training for a triathlon, which involves learning cycling and swimming.
His self-deprecation and effacement (he continually qualifies his status as an athlete) are both funny and a little odd in Western parlance-- they probably make the most sense to a Japanese audience-- but still contribute to a sense of the person we're meeting here through the context of running.
Honestly, I found the most interesting and heartfelt section of the book to be the acknowledgements, in which Murakami thanks Ramond Carver's widow for letting him borrow one of his short story titles ("What We Talk About When We Talk About Love"), and the other runners who he has passed, and who have passed him, for pushing him.
The narrator for the audiobook (Ray Porter), is the same guy who narrated [b:The Silver Linings Playbook|13539044|The Silver Linings Playbook|Matthew Quick|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358277412s/13539044.jpg|2915346]. I immediately noticed his odd, matter-of-fact style, and how he sped up in speaking certain observations, as if they didn't matter, which was an interesting extra layer to the self-deprecating tone Murakami uses.
The best section in my opinion was the description of Murakami's first (and, I believe only) ultramarathon, which he ran in Japan. The physical toll this took on him, as well as his deeply felt sensory experiences while running (the exquisite pickled plum around half way, for instance, when his body is desperate for salt and sweet and liquid). Other sections of note are his run from Thermopalye to Marathon (a backwards route to the "original" run), and his training for a triathlon, which involves learning cycling and swimming.
His self-deprecation and effacement (he continually qualifies his status as an athlete) are both funny and a little odd in Western parlance-- they probably make the most sense to a Japanese audience-- but still contribute to a sense of the person we're meeting here through the context of running.
Honestly, I found the most interesting and heartfelt section of the book to be the acknowledgements, in which Murakami thanks Ramond Carver's widow for letting him borrow one of his short story titles ("What We Talk About When We Talk About Love"), and the other runners who he has passed, and who have passed him, for pushing him.
The narrator for the audiobook (Ray Porter), is the same guy who narrated [b:The Silver Linings Playbook|13539044|The Silver Linings Playbook|Matthew Quick|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358277412s/13539044.jpg|2915346]. I immediately noticed his odd, matter-of-fact style, and how he sped up in speaking certain observations, as if they didn't matter, which was an interesting extra layer to the self-deprecating tone Murakami uses.
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
First non-fiction in my list ig, I always knew that non-fiction and me will be like oil and water, but when the non-fiction revolves around your fav author and his lifestyle, you can't help but like it .
I surprisingly liked this one, I no longer run, nor do I feel I will anytime soon, but still reading this book was an experience worth remembering. A very cozy read which also manages to tell a lot about the author and his lifetime along with his thoughts.
Couldn't have gone wrong with it
I surprisingly liked this one, I no longer run, nor do I feel I will anytime soon, but still reading this book was an experience worth remembering. A very cozy read which also manages to tell a lot about the author and his lifetime along with his thoughts.
Couldn't have gone wrong with it
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Unless they're addicts, I think that authors rarely live interesting lives. The nature of the craft is solitary and uninteresting, the product is what is fascinating. WITAWITAR (what an acronym) is case in point. Murakami's life as a runner and writer is mundane. There are some sage moments in the book, some pieces of insight or imagery that are profound or pleasing, but largely it is repetitive and uninteresting. I could see the content making a great article, not a 170 page book.
I took a chance on this one. This is especially because despite my intentions I have yet to read any of his novels. I enjoyed the writing style and a bit surprisingly found the memoir highly relatable even though there is plenty in it I disagreed with. I think it’d be an enjoyable for many who have dedicated significant portions of their time to endurance sports.
"What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" is a very introspective book, set entirely within the mind of Haruki Maruakami as he develops a steady narrative regarding his philosophies on running, writing, and personal identity.
I have never read anything by Murakami before, though a few of his books have found their way onto my shelves, and it was very interesting being introduced to his work through what is labelled a memoir, but feels more like a personal running journal. I do intend to add some of his works of fiction to my reading list after this experience, if only to compare the styles of his creative work to the style of his non-fiction.
I enjoyed his voice, and the way he crafted his meditations to take a form that (in my mind) mirrors the beat and rhythm of running. I also appreciated the solitude of this book, for even though there are people mentioned, this book is centered on Murakami and how he fills the needs associated with his own interior and physical life. His adherence to meeting those needs, despite outside pressure from others to follow other paths, is emphasized throughout the book as something essential.
While not a life changing piece of writing, or a time consuming one, "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" is an insightful and interesting book. The way Murakami describes his connection with both the act of running and the art/practice of writing can be applied to the pursuit of any activity you love and want to devote yourself and your time to.
I have never read anything by Murakami before, though a few of his books have found their way onto my shelves, and it was very interesting being introduced to his work through what is labelled a memoir, but feels more like a personal running journal. I do intend to add some of his works of fiction to my reading list after this experience, if only to compare the styles of his creative work to the style of his non-fiction.
I enjoyed his voice, and the way he crafted his meditations to take a form that (in my mind) mirrors the beat and rhythm of running. I also appreciated the solitude of this book, for even though there are people mentioned, this book is centered on Murakami and how he fills the needs associated with his own interior and physical life. His adherence to meeting those needs, despite outside pressure from others to follow other paths, is emphasized throughout the book as something essential.
While not a life changing piece of writing, or a time consuming one, "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" is an insightful and interesting book. The way Murakami describes his connection with both the act of running and the art/practice of writing can be applied to the pursuit of any activity you love and want to devote yourself and your time to.