“I’m on Kauai, in Hawaii, today, Friday, August … it’s unbelievable clear and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. It’s as if the concept of clouds doesn’t even exist.” Familiar? Of course it is to anyone who lives on
“I’m on Kauai, in Hawaii, today, Friday, August … it’s unbelievable clear and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. It’s as if the concept of clouds doesn’t even exist.”
Familiar? Of course it is to anyone who lives on or has visited Kauai!
Aloha, readers! “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running: A Memoir,” is an insightful book from Japanese author Haruki Murakami, who is more known for his internationally famous and thought-provoking variety of novels such as “1Q84” or “Kafka on the Shore.” In fact, Murakami wrote the first half of “Kafka” while on Kauai, which he comes to on a regular basis to write, relax, and have a good time.
Unlike a traditional autobiography, he took his art of crafting fiction and translated it into this personal memoir about one of his keenest passions: running. For Murakami, running is not merely some repetitive act for the purpose of exercise; it is a philosophy of being, a type of experience that is reflective of the very nature of living in this reality.
We have been selling Murakami’s many books for over a decade now, and his popularity has continued to grow as word-of-mouth spreads about his interesting and unique style of prose.
Those who are already runners will find his mental exploration of running very relatable, while those already familiar with Murakami’s works are given a fascinating look into the mind of this author of modern classics. Those who know nothing about either will still be easily lured by his weaving of words and concepts into reading the book
Indicative of the Buddhist-influenced thinking of the culture he was raised in, his summation of his own fascinating reflection on what running is and means in one’s life is this: “suffering is optional.”
••••
Ed and Cynthia Justus
