• What I Talk about When I Talk about Running

  • A Memoir
  • By: Haruki Murakami
  • Narrated by: Ray Porter
  • Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (4,599 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
What I Talk about When I Talk about Running  By  cover art

What I Talk about When I Talk about Running

By: Haruki Murakami
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $9.32

Buy for $9.32

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

From the best-selling author of Kafka on the Shore comes this rich and revelatory memoir about writing and running, and the integral impact both have made on his life. Equal parts training log, travelogue, and reminiscence, this revealing memoir covers Murakami's four-month preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon.

Settings range from Tokyo, where he once shared the course with an Olympian, to the Charles River in Boston, among young women who outpace him.

Through this marvelous lens of sport emerges a cornucopia of memories and insights: the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer, his triumphs and disappointments, his passion for vintage LPs, and the experience, after age 50, of having seen his race times improve and then fall back.

Translated by Philip Gabriel.

©2007 Haruki Murakami (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Murakami crafts a charming little volume notable for its good-natured and intimate tone....An early section recounting Murakami's transition from nightclub owner to novelist offers a particularly vivid picture of an artist soaring into flight for the first time." ( Publishers Weekly)
"A brilliant meditation on how his running and writing nurture and sustain each other....With sparse, engaging prose....Murakami shares his runner's high." ( Sports Illustrated)
"Provides a fascinating portrait of Murakami's working mind and how he works his magic on the page." ( The Plain Dealer)

Featured Article: The Best Audiobooks Under 5 Hours


Books are pure magic: they transport us to other lands, help us learn about the world and ourselves, teach us new skills, and give us an escape from daily life. And thanks to audiobooks, we don't even have to stop what we're doing to enjoy them. You can visit Narnia while washing the dishes, or laugh at a comedian's childhood stories while riding your bike to work. Looking for an audiobook that can be finished in just a few sessions? These standout listens will immerse you for a few hours with captivating storylines and unforgettable performances. These are the best audiobooks under five hours.

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

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,592
  • 4 Stars
    1,300
  • 3 Stars
    523
  • 2 Stars
    133
  • 1 Stars
    51
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,492
  • 4 Stars
    938
  • 3 Stars
    273
  • 2 Stars
    59
  • 1 Stars
    21
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,129
  • 4 Stars
    1,039
  • 3 Stars
    419
  • 2 Stars
    135
  • 1 Stars
    56

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A lovely homage to the running muse.

A great listen, especially while out for a run. If you are a runner or aspire to be one, the author's experience is that of many of us who choose to run, swim or bike and we'll stated throughout. This is one I can see myself replaying for sure.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

If you enjoy casual fitness routine or running or pursue any fitness casually then you willEnjoy it

Love around the world perspective and the story telling or letters wrote by the author.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Check it out

I heard of this writer/book through listening to What Makes Olga Run? Which that booked stemmed from learning about Olga from another book I was listening to. Anyone into running should check this out.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great performance

A performance that brought life to the words and words that will make you feel things.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I like to the book itself, as well as the voice.

I like to the book itself, as well as the voice. It's my pleasure to read together with the voice.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thought Provoking

The writing was absolutely gorgeous. It really got me thinking about my own experiences with running. I would definitely recommend it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thank you!

I like nonfiction Murakami. Next is underground. I can’t wait for the 1 credit tomorrow!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good

I liked it. It was good. I didn’t like the end, how he said, “Runners run to overcome pain.” I run to lose weight.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

If you are a runner, you will enjoy this book

What did you love best about What I Talk about When I Talk about Running?

Fantastic stories that I could relate to.

What did you like best about this story?

Applicable life lessons

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh and smile throughout.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An entertaining book.

He has an excellent sense of humor and does not take himself too seriously. It is a good story about his journey.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!