Novel Import [Haruki Murakami] English - What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

As the title suggests, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running talks about Haruki Murakami #39;s big hobby: running. His views on sports that people think can give #34;inspiration #34; to writers (running is not a method to find inspiration for Murakami, but a means to be able to enjoy private time in silence to maintain his mental health), the method he uses to be able to finish a marathon, and the difficulties he experienced that are rarely discussed by professional runners in general, are broken down into 9 chapters, each of which tells of his struggles to conquer marathons in different countries. Murakami #39;s thoughts on running resonate with the way he writes books. And unsurprisingly, I reflected Murakami #39;s thinking into my work ethic. Murakami (or rather, the translator of this book) is able to express well the passion of the author and his views on various things. Murakami #39;s writing seems alive and motivating to me. Even though this book was published almost 10 years ago, its effect is as powerful as the latest nonfiction bestseller hitting the bookshelf. I especially like the self-realization behind these humble lines: What #39;s crucial is whether your writing attains the standards you #39;ve set for yourself. At least that #39;s why I #39;ve put in the effort day after day: to raise my own level. In long-distance running the only opponent you have to beat is yourself, the way you used to be. I can see that during my twenties my worldview changed, and I matured. I #39;ve gradually come to the realization that this kind of pain and hurt is a necessary part of life. …and that #39;s why I #39;ve had to constantly keep my body in motion, in some cases pushing myself to the limit, in order to heal the loneliness I feel inside and to put it in perspective. I #39;m the kind of person who has to experience something physically, actually touch something, before I have a clear sense of it. It doesn #39;t matter what it is, unless I see it with my own eyes I #39;m not convinced. …needless to say, it takes quite a bit of time, plus effort, to go through each stage, step by step, and arrive at a conclusion. Sometimes it takes too long, and by the time I #39;m convinced, it #39;s already too late. But what #39;re you going to do? That #39;s the kind of person I am.”