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aaandria42's review against another edition
4.0
“It’s precisely because of the pain, precisely because we want to overcome that pain, that we can get the feeling, through this process, of really being alive - or at least a partial sense of it.â€
omgitspattydee's review against another edition
5.0
I could not relate to this book enough - I'm a runner, but I'm not a triathlete or a writer. Haruki Murakami tells the truth about what it means to be a runner, and I just found my head nodding the whole way through. One of my new favorites, indeed!
just_jane's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't read any of his fiction, but enjoyed his take on running. He articulates the reasons why he runs - some of the reasons I run - and a few times I had that flush of recognition - "Oh yeah, I know exactly what you mean!"
Probably an interesting insight into anyone who is likes his fiction - a glimpse of the man behind the novels, if you will. As a fellow runner, I am grateful for the eloquence in which he describes this lifelong passion.
Probably an interesting insight into anyone who is likes his fiction - a glimpse of the man behind the novels, if you will. As a fellow runner, I am grateful for the eloquence in which he describes this lifelong passion.
terrylynn's review against another edition
3.0
Essay style writing. Some wisdom for runners and writers.
renny_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not a particularly huge fan of non-fiction, tending to be more attracted to novels than anything else. But, over the past two years running has become woven into the fabric of my soul and when I stumbled across this memoir about how running impacted novelist Haruki Murakami's life and work, I couldn't pass it up.
I loved Murakami's writing style. I have friends who enjoy his novels, none of which I have ever read. But he has sparse style, yet very descriptive, and I enjoyed what came together as a teased out collection of journal entries.
Of course, being as this was such a personal topic for me, the highlight was collecting and marking passages to be mulled over later. A few of my favorites include:
"As long as I can run a certain distance, that's all I care about. Sometimes I run fast when I feel like it, but if I increase the pace I shorten the amount of time I run, the point being to let the exhilaration I feel at the end of each run to carry over to the next day." (p. 4)
"It doesn't matter what field you're talking about -- beating somebody else just doesn't do it for me. I'm much more interested in whether I reach the goals that I set for myself, so in this sense long-distance running is the perfect fit for a mindset like mine." (p. 9)
"The point is whether or not I improved over yesterday. In long-distance running the only opponent you have to beat is yourself. The way you used to be." (p. 10)
"Something flew down from the sky in that instant, and whatever it was, I accepted it." (p. 28)
"I never much cared for gym class, and always hated Sports Day. This was because these were forced on me from above. I never could stand being forced to do something I didn't want to do at a time I didn't want to do it. Whenever I was able to do something I liked to do, though when I wanted to do it, and the way I wanted to do it, I'd give it everything I had." (p. 34)
"People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they'll go to any length to live longer. But don't think that's the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest." (p. 82)
**
This was a lovely read, and a sweet love story to the good, the bad, the ugly, and the triumph of running.
I loved Murakami's writing style. I have friends who enjoy his novels, none of which I have ever read. But he has sparse style, yet very descriptive, and I enjoyed what came together as a teased out collection of journal entries.
Of course, being as this was such a personal topic for me, the highlight was collecting and marking passages to be mulled over later. A few of my favorites include:
"As long as I can run a certain distance, that's all I care about. Sometimes I run fast when I feel like it, but if I increase the pace I shorten the amount of time I run, the point being to let the exhilaration I feel at the end of each run to carry over to the next day." (p. 4)
"It doesn't matter what field you're talking about -- beating somebody else just doesn't do it for me. I'm much more interested in whether I reach the goals that I set for myself, so in this sense long-distance running is the perfect fit for a mindset like mine." (p. 9)
"The point is whether or not I improved over yesterday. In long-distance running the only opponent you have to beat is yourself. The way you used to be." (p. 10)
"Something flew down from the sky in that instant, and whatever it was, I accepted it." (p. 28)
"I never much cared for gym class, and always hated Sports Day. This was because these were forced on me from above. I never could stand being forced to do something I didn't want to do at a time I didn't want to do it. Whenever I was able to do something I liked to do, though when I wanted to do it, and the way I wanted to do it, I'd give it everything I had." (p. 34)
"People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they'll go to any length to live longer. But don't think that's the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest." (p. 82)
**
This was a lovely read, and a sweet love story to the good, the bad, the ugly, and the triumph of running.
libaiello's review against another edition
4.0
interesting read while marathon training. some parts felt inspiring and encouraging, some parts felt judgmental and discouraging (talks a lot about his fear of having to walk during a race)
samanthahumphrey's review against another edition
3.0
So I gather that Mr. Murakami is a big deal in the world of novelists, yes? I am sort of a curmudgeon who doesn’t read a whole lot of new fiction, so forgive my ignorance. As a newish runner and total running addict, though, I’ve heard a lot about Murakami’s memoir, in which he discusses his training regimen, his annual marathon habit, and life in general. I came into it looking for some light reading and maybe some inspiration. I’d say that I came away one for two, which isn’t a bad record, all things considered.
What I Talk About… is a series of essays loosely following the author as he prepares for the 2005 NYC Marathon. It’s interspersed with more recent reflections as well, and plenty of background on how he got into running (and writing novels) in the first place. There’s quite a bit of talk about running, but more than anything, this book is simply about how Murakami looks at the world. What truly fascinated me was his narrative voice. If it’s the same as he uses in his novels, I’ll definitely check them out at some point. He’s an amazing pragmatist. I find it hard to believe that anyone could really be that matter-of-fact about life, other people, one’s own self, death, but that seems to be the case here. Murakami looks unflinchingly at his successes and failures, his shortcomings and strengths. He talks about places he’s been, races he’s run, people he’s met, all in the same even, honest tone. Interestingly enough, I think the area in which that tone does the most damage is with regard to the subject of running. If you’re looking for ideas or information on training in a more narrative setting, I think this book will disappoint you. While clearly a prolific runner, Murakami has definitely done things his own way, and I don’t think his style of training would suit everyone.
Basically, he just gets out there and runs. A lot. It’s both inspiring and frustrating to listen to his descriptions of his daily schedule: as a writer, he works hard and often, but he also has an extremely flexible lifestyle that enables him to run for an hour every day, six days a week. Makes me want to get out there and start writing books, I tell you. (Um, no. The running for an hour every day, yes. The writing books, no.) And while he runs, he reflects. I think that’s something a lot of runners will tell you they enjoy about running is the mental break it affords. In Murakami’s case, he doesn’t seem to indicate that he necessarily gets anything concrete out of the time in terms of, say, his writing, but it does seem to inform his worldview in terms of what he has learned from the discipline and strength needed to train and run a marathon every year for 20+ years.
I’d imagine plenty of people are put off by the fact that this is ostensibly a book about running. Ultimately, though, that’s not how I’d describe it. I think it’s a book about life and death. Murakami spends a lot of time talking about how running was when he was younger, and how it is now that he’s older. He focuses a great deal on the fact that he is aging and losing strength and speed, and a lot on how someday he will die. All of this comes through in his usual straightforward tone, but it seems to me that you don’t dwell on such subjects at such length unless it’s something you’re working to come to terms with. Which, of course, is probably the only truly unifying human experience. So really, What I Talk About… is actually a book about being a human being. It just happens to come through the lens of also being a runner.
What I Talk About… is a series of essays loosely following the author as he prepares for the 2005 NYC Marathon. It’s interspersed with more recent reflections as well, and plenty of background on how he got into running (and writing novels) in the first place. There’s quite a bit of talk about running, but more than anything, this book is simply about how Murakami looks at the world. What truly fascinated me was his narrative voice. If it’s the same as he uses in his novels, I’ll definitely check them out at some point. He’s an amazing pragmatist. I find it hard to believe that anyone could really be that matter-of-fact about life, other people, one’s own self, death, but that seems to be the case here. Murakami looks unflinchingly at his successes and failures, his shortcomings and strengths. He talks about places he’s been, races he’s run, people he’s met, all in the same even, honest tone. Interestingly enough, I think the area in which that tone does the most damage is with regard to the subject of running. If you’re looking for ideas or information on training in a more narrative setting, I think this book will disappoint you. While clearly a prolific runner, Murakami has definitely done things his own way, and I don’t think his style of training would suit everyone.
Basically, he just gets out there and runs. A lot. It’s both inspiring and frustrating to listen to his descriptions of his daily schedule: as a writer, he works hard and often, but he also has an extremely flexible lifestyle that enables him to run for an hour every day, six days a week. Makes me want to get out there and start writing books, I tell you. (Um, no. The running for an hour every day, yes. The writing books, no.) And while he runs, he reflects. I think that’s something a lot of runners will tell you they enjoy about running is the mental break it affords. In Murakami’s case, he doesn’t seem to indicate that he necessarily gets anything concrete out of the time in terms of, say, his writing, but it does seem to inform his worldview in terms of what he has learned from the discipline and strength needed to train and run a marathon every year for 20+ years.
I’d imagine plenty of people are put off by the fact that this is ostensibly a book about running. Ultimately, though, that’s not how I’d describe it. I think it’s a book about life and death. Murakami spends a lot of time talking about how running was when he was younger, and how it is now that he’s older. He focuses a great deal on the fact that he is aging and losing strength and speed, and a lot on how someday he will die. All of this comes through in his usual straightforward tone, but it seems to me that you don’t dwell on such subjects at such length unless it’s something you’re working to come to terms with. Which, of course, is probably the only truly unifying human experience. So really, What I Talk About… is actually a book about being a human being. It just happens to come through the lens of also being a runner.
btothhhhh's review against another edition
4.0
"And one of the privileges given to those who've avoided dying young is the blessed right to grow old. The honor of physical decline is waiting, and you have to get used to that reality."
ceeayti's review against another edition
4.0
I have this tradition with my best friend in Englad where we give books on each other's birthdays. When he heard I started running after having an awful foot injury he sent me this book. It's very zen and beautifully written and combines a love of writing and a love of running. Been very inspiring to read!
elmousiii's review against another edition
5.0
La verdad es que me ha gustado más de lo que pensaba en un principio y sí que ha conseguido lo que buscaba, que me animara a leer más de Murakami. Es un libro en el que habla de su vida en torno a la escritura y sobre todo, al running. Me deja muchas perlas como estas:
"Si hay un contrincante al que debes vencer en una carrera de larga distancia, ése no es otro que el tú de ayer".
"Aunque parezca imposible de creer :todos somos capaces de sufrir hasta puntos inimaginables para conseguir algo que realmente va a hacernos felices".
"Más vale que sigamos teniendo fuerza en las piernas, y locura en la cabeza y coraje en el corazón, para seguir corriendo un poquito más".
"Si hay un contrincante al que debes vencer en una carrera de larga distancia, ése no es otro que el tú de ayer".
"Aunque parezca imposible de creer :todos somos capaces de sufrir hasta puntos inimaginables para conseguir algo que realmente va a hacernos felices".
"Más vale que sigamos teniendo fuerza en las piernas, y locura en la cabeza y coraje en el corazón, para seguir corriendo un poquito más".