A review by farbooksventure
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.25

I'm always aware of long-distance running/marathons as a concept for the longest time. Being a person who's not really interested in sports, I couldn't tell you much about it. In What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, I learn quite a bit about it from someone who has been dedicating hours of their life to this & finding fulfillment in doing it. More than that, it provides a glimpse into Haruki Murakami's outlook on life, personal philosophy, and also his relationship with sport in general.

Murakami elaborates on why running suits him. Down to the discipline needed for them. He even connected the process of running marathons with his profession as an author. How endurance is essential for both of them. After reading, I could see why writing & running is perfect for Murakami as a person.

BUT, this book is not all glory and achievement. In fact, what sticks with me the most is the opposite. Murakami's reflection about getting old and learning to accept that his body couldn't handle as much grueling sports work as it used to be, is very memorable. Reading about his experience at a triathlon event at the end of the book is particularly bittersweet. On another side, Ray Porter does a great job conveying the tone that Murakami is going for in this audiobook. I couldn't stop listening.

If you're having a hard time getting into Haruki Murakami's fictional works, give this nonfiction a try. It works for me, at least. I've already reached the point of giving up finding a suitable Murakami novel for me. I think I will reconsider after reading this short & insightful memoir of his.