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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 (225 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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Publisher's 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

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

Average Customer Ratings
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Murakami x Porter - dream collaboration

A new side of Murakami that makes him all the more wonderful. And the best narrator to tell the tale. shut up and take my money.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Motivating and inspiring

Was recommended this book but didn't expect too much of it. pleasantly surprised, an easy listen and although this wasn't his intention it motivated me to take my own running a bit more seriously. have listened to some sections twice just because I enjoyed it so much.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Superbly simple, inspiring and a fond warmth!

A fervent fan of Murakami's work, I never knew much about the man himself. This was a fascinating and demystifying insight into a modest man with a brilliant gift at story telling.

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

Inspiring book for running

Very peaceful talking regarding running and lifestyle. Make me want to run a marathon and triathlon!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A marathon of a book

If you're a runner, of any level, this is extra ordinary to help with improving your mind and willpower. I found this book so relatable as a timid person. I found solace in his journey and it inspires me to improve my own. The narrator made the book an easy listen and felt like a great representation of the author.
I would highly reccomend to teens through to adults.

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can come back to again and again

This humble memoir is a nice recount of the meaning that running can bring into your life and to that extent it's a little philosophical but without being pompous. It's not like other "running books" where it gets bogged down into really technical aspects of running. It's definitely my favourite running book so far.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent and makes you want to run

Makes you want to run. An interesting portrait of the life of a runner and everything involved

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Okay. Easy listen

I didn’t love the book. It was a nice light easy listen, got a bit boring and slow at times. Not an inspiring book, more like a journal of thoughts while running.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Cacio E Pepe

After reading a lot of books about running I downloaded this book not giving it much thought. I did not know the caliber of writing I was about to read.

The writing is simple, yet extremely well written.

I truely enjoy every minute of this book, so much so I have ordered the hard copy to read again.

When describing the book to my wife, I called it the Cacio E Pepe of writing. A simple dish with only three ingredients, pasta, parmesan and black pepper, easy to make, but when made well it’s one of the finest meals you’ll ever have.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Fallin' in Love

"Repetition", that insertion of this word, was- priceless. I will further my listening and favouring. 10/11/22

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