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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
There are some decent nuggets about writing in here, which I think are the biggest take away.
While not a truly a treatise on running or writing, nor really a memoir of all but a few discrete moments in the life of the author, Murakami's comments on his motivations and descriptions of the mental and physical discipline it takes to train for long-distance runs and write novels is calming and introspective and interesting. A fine read.
genuinely only interesting if you're a runner lmao
I was like I wonder if Murakami will manage to be horny and weird about women in this book that is literally only him thinking about running, and true to form he was weird
I was like I wonder if Murakami will manage to be horny and weird about women in this book that is literally only him thinking about running, and true to form he was weird
I really enjoyed this book. It’s intriguing to learn how such a brilliant mind works. Murakami’s success is based on hard work, organisation and great determination, both in writing and exercising. In the end, there’s no magic way to reach one’s aspirations, only perseverance. I saw myself mirrored in some aspects such as the independent soul and love for solitude. Some people can’t understand that, but you cannot work on yourself when you are always surrounded by people. Dedicating time to your own development is very important, and only then can you learn how to understand yourself and reach what I would call inner peace.
The title of the book can be misleading, since not everyone wants to read about running. However, that is not the main point. Murakami’s marathon training and his internal fights can be applied to most things worth fighting for: sports in general, careers, relationships, etc.
I have never run a marathon (and I don’t think I will). I enjoy running from time to time but you won’t see me in a race longer than 5-10km long. However, I love to challenge myself with exercise, yoga and get to know my body, my mind and test their limits to improve myself. Sports teach you discipline very well because you cannot negotiate with your muscles and bones: they work the way they do, they are stubborn and really reflect how you treat yourself. Everything he tells, I’ve experienced myself and I wouldn’t change that sensation for anything. In conclusion, a very good book to encourage yourself to aim for your goals.
The title of the book can be misleading, since not everyone wants to read about running. However, that is not the main point. Murakami’s marathon training and his internal fights can be applied to most things worth fighting for: sports in general, careers, relationships, etc.
I have never run a marathon (and I don’t think I will). I enjoy running from time to time but you won’t see me in a race longer than 5-10km long. However, I love to challenge myself with exercise, yoga and get to know my body, my mind and test their limits to improve myself. Sports teach you discipline very well because you cannot negotiate with your muscles and bones: they work the way they do, they are stubborn and really reflect how you treat yourself. Everything he tells, I’ve experienced myself and I wouldn’t change that sensation for anything. In conclusion, a very good book to encourage yourself to aim for your goals.
Good book about writing and running. Or perhaps the book was about man whose life revolves around writing and running. I read this books during spring time, which meant that it enhanced my wish to start running again after winter. As I am also starting to write, this book offered some interesting ideas of keeping your mental working state good through physical exercise.
inspiring
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
I’m not sure how to rate this book. I have read some Murakami and he’s one of my favourite authors but I really didn’t know much about who he was before picking this up. He states several times that this book serves as a kind of memoir, but it definitely centres a lot on running and the physical conditions around him running. Weirdly enough, I got the sense that he was continually trying to prove or justify something but that wasn’t even the confusing part. Murakami came off as really arrogant and even ignorant a few times. Some instances can be when he starts listing all the dead animals on the road for no reason, then he talks about why authors/artists commit suicide in the most insensitive way possible. A lot of this book is him humble bragging. I don’t quite understand the point of it but I should say it was a fairly pleasant reading experience. This is primarily why I don’t know how to rate it. I don’t think I got a specific vigour for life or running of it, but I definitely didn’t have any trouble reading it. I definitely got the sense that Murakami is a peculiar guy, trying to present himself as this detached human but it didn’t really work out. This book also seems like an afterthought, at least in my understanding of craft. A lot of what I enjoy about Murakami’s writing wasn’t there, which is understandable because this wasn’t about the big things he usually concerns himself with. But a little more attention to the writing would have been appreciated. I would recommend this to people who either already like Murakami or who are interested in marathons/triathlons. This shouldn’t be your first Murakami and if you’re looking for a literary book to absorb yourself into, this ain’t it.
inspiring
my first murakami; need to try his fiction. perfectly enjoyable but that’s about all i feel! some nice thoughts from a much more intense runner than i but nothing that felt especially groundbreaking or inspiring