What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a short, serene, and insightful collection of reflections by the renowned Japanese novelist, Haruki Murakami. It’s centered around his life as a devoted, steadfast runner, as well as a successful writer. What could be the similarities between these two contrasting playing fields of his life: completing triathlons and sitting at his desk writing? He delves honestly into his unique life story.
Murakami, like myself, has lived in many places over the course of his life. It was beautiful to see how this man sought opportunities to pursue running and writing wherever he was, and in doing so, discovered little pleasures that brought him joy. Within this memoir, in addition to these happier moments, are also darker ones that he’s unafraid to talk about: a bad knee, a long list of imperfections about himself, the struggle of balancing writing with a social life, doubts about his future.
And interspersed with these personal excerpts were scenes depicting the perpetual passage of time, usually described through nature: the humid heat of a Boston summer, meaning more miles that could be covered that month, and the cooling of the air and yellowing of the leaves speaking of the upcoming New York City Marathon he planned to run in. Murakami spent time in Kauai, USA, and Tokyo, and he took the time, for each place, to describe the scenery he had the privilege to run through.
This book offered me the wise and serious meditations of an aging man, embracing changes that came with the passing of years. But more than that, it had the additional appeal of simplicity. Murakami talked about the river, self-love, autumn in New York City, competition, muscles, and introversion, as naturally and warmly as he might have spoken to a grandchild. Deep, tender, and concise, this memoir was luminous and such a pleasure to read.
