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What I Talk About When I Talk About Running By Haruki Murakami

By Julia Scirrotto on Wednesday 3 February 2010

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What I Talk About When I Talk About Running - book review - Marie Claire

A lyrical journey into the private world of one of today's most acclaimed - and mysterious - novelists

As a casual jogger with loads of respect for my marathoner friends, I picked up this slender memoir by Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami (Norwegian Wood, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle) hoping to steal some motivation from his musings on running, writing and life.

Part travelogue, part runner's diary, the book follows Murakami from Tokyo jazz-club owner to best-selling author and beyond with an emphasis on the impact of his daily long-distance jaunts on his evolution as a writer. (Look out for the fabulous scenes in Athens, Hawaii and Boston, among others ...) Personal, introspective and inspiring, it's a quick but brilliant read.

If my social circle is anything to go by, the book, first published in April 2009, is already gaining a cult following among Murakami fans of a runnerly disposition. My dog-eared copy is currently on loan to a friend working in Afghanistan.

What's the last book you passed along to a friend? Tell us about your favourite reads in the comments box below...

Review by Julia Scirrotto

Release date: Wednesday 3 February 2010