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  • What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

  • By: Haruki Murakami
  • Narrated by: Ray Porter
  • Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (2,128 ratings)

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What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

By: Haruki Murakami
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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Summary

In 1982 Murakami began running to keep fit. Here he reflects on his running experiences. Equal parts travelogue, training log, and reminiscence, this revealing memoir covers his preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon.

By turns funny and sobering, playful and philosophical, this is a must-listen for fans of this masterful author and for the increasing number of people who find a similar satisfaction in running.

©2007 Haruki Murakami (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc
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Critic reviews

"Hugely enjoyable.... You don’t have to run a marathon to be captivated." ( Sunday Telegraph)
"This is my most recent inspirational find.... Murakami makes me want to write hard and run far and fast." ( Easy Living)

What listeners say about What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

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  • Overall
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Murikami on Writting and Running

Any fan of Murikami will love this, there are all his usual themes there, albeit not in the typical manner of his prose, but gives a great insight into his process and his discipline for writing.
Anyone who has read Stephen King's On Writing might get something similar from this.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An easy listen and entertaining memoir

Loved the easy narration of the book. This has inspired me to read more murakami now😊

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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repeat listening

this is my 2nd time to listen to this book. Haruki did not let me down. 2nd time was as engaging as my first. simply incredible. pure pleasure

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous!

A wonderfully written book that I devoured in a weekend and not just for runners!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting content but couldn’t warm to the narrator

This is a short and interesting insight into a person’s motivation to compete in marathons and triathlons, albeit now a bit dated.
The story is good but I couldn’t warm to the audible narrator. He sounded constantly very angry and aggressive with the tone used throughout the book, turning what were probably written as simple observations into angry complaints about everything.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A great number of insights into life

Unexpected in the sense that this isn't a story about over achievement or anything similar. Instead it speaks volumes about what life might be all about.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Too young to quit

This book has motivated me to resume running. I am only 28, why not running?

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Just ok, but nothing more

I read this book after Born to run (inspiring and thrilling in parts, I rated it a 5) and Running with the Kenyans (flat and dull, I rated it a 2 and did not finish it).

This one was just listenable and short enough to finish. But I won't remember it. Random musings that the author had about running and thoughts he had about running.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Lovely to listen to...

As someone who appreciates the solitude and space of 'just getting out there' in the fresh air and moving, this is a gentle book about what the human spirit is capable of, and what it needs...

I loved this!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Listenable, nice, but slightly underwhelming.

Listenable, nice, but slightly underwhelming. Not your typical running book. A nice listen with some interesting thoughts but found myself drifting a little at times. Cool but not engrossing.

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