Published: 2007 (Bungeishunju) Setting: Japan, Greece, Cambridge U.S. Summary: Haruki Murakami’s running memoir starts with the saying: “suffering is optional,” and ends with his proposed epitaph: “at least he never walked.” Murakami is equally interested in systems and experience. Running is the metaphysical key that unlocks the rest of the body and mind, and the way you trainContinue reading “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running-Haruki Murakami”
Tag Archives: Haruki Murakami
South of the Border, West of the Sun-Haruki Murakami
Published: 1992 (Kodansha) Setting: Tokyo, Hakone Summary: An only-child, Hajime, is a 12-year-old boy who falls in love with a girl named Shimamoto at the age of twelve. Shimamoto, who also an only child, is he first love. They separate before high school and eventually find their way back to each other through their love of jazz andContinue reading “South of the Border, West of the Sun-Haruki Murakami”
Norwegian Wood-Haruki Murakami
Published: 1987 (Kodansha) Setting: Tokyo, Kyoto Summary: The domestic reception to Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood propelled the author to literary super stardom seemingly overnight. This novel, nostalgic and deeply feeling, is as much a period piece as it is a coming-of-age story set in Japan’s post-war coming-of-age. Toru Watanabe floats in and out of the lives of hisContinue reading “Norwegian Wood-Haruki Murakami”
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World-Haruki Murakami
Published: 1985 (Shinchosha) Setting: Tokyo, “The Town” Summary: In Murakami’s favorite novel, our main characters shuffles information as he shuffles around the Tokyo underground. In alternating chapters, Murakami builds a Tokyo city-scape full of data inquirers professors, and Inklings (based on kappa), while also building an imaginary town within the mind of our main character. Our main character,Continue reading “Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World-Haruki Murakami”
Will Reviews Things 