Haruki Murakami was born on January 12, 1949, in Kyōto, Japan. He’s a Japanese novelist, short-story writer, and translator whose deeply imaginative and often ambiguous books have become international bestsellers, being translated into more than 50 languages and receiving honors such as the Franz Kafka Prize.
Murakami’s first novel, Kaze no uta o kike (1979; Hear the Wind Sing), won a prize for best fiction by a new writer. Since then, he has published a total of fourteen novels and five short story collections. His most notable works include Norwegian Wood (1987), 1Q84 (2009), Kafka on the Shore (2005), and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (1994).
As of the time of writing, Murakami’s first book in six years will be released in its English translation on November 26, 2024, titled The City and Its Uncertain Walls.
Murakami's work appeals to a wide variety of readers, so I’ve categorized my recommendations into the following four categories. Please remember that this is just my opinion; I am by no means a Murakami expert, I just really love his books! If you do read any of his books after going through these recommendations, I’d love to know what you think. Feel free to leave a comment at the end of this page or send a message on my profile.
1. For those wanting to ease into his books
The Elephant Vanishes (1993)
‘When a man’s favorite elephant vanishes, the balance of his whole life is subtly upset; a couple’s midnight hunger drives them to hold up a McDonald’s; an insomniac wife wakes up to a twilight world of semi-consciousness in which anything seems possible—even death.’
These, along with fourteen other enchanting short stories, make up The Elephant Vanishes short story collection. With the stories initially being written between the years of 1980 and 1991, and an English translation first being published in 1993 (the Japanese counterpart was released later in 2005), Murakami gives us a wide range of stories showcasing his talents. Some of my favorite stories in this collection include “TV People,” “The Silence,” and “The Second Bakery Attack.”
If you are unsure whether you would enjoy Murakami’s unique style, then a short story collection such as this would be a perfect way to find out without committing to a full-length novel. I tend to read Murakami’s short story collections quite quickly, so for me, this would be a great introduction to his work without the risk of being too overwhelmed.
2. For those wanting to dive straight in
Kafka on the Shore (2002)
‘Kafka Tamura runs away from home at fifteen, under the shadow of his father’s dark prophecy. The aging Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. Many mysteries combine in this novel to create an elegant and dreamlike masterpiece.’
This novel is like a labyrinth journey through intertwined metaphors and reality as Murakami explores the barrier between the conscious and unconscious mind. Yes, this is a confusing one, but trust me when I say it is definitely worth it. This is by far my favorite Murakami book that I’ve read so far and is one I regularly recommend to others when asked about Haruki Murakami. It is one of the most immersive experiences I’ve had when reading, and I was genuinely sad when finishing it. No other book has given me the same experience that this one did, and I hope it will have the same effect on you.
3. For those who enjoy a mystery
‘Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki’ (2013)
‘Murakami tells the story of a man who attempts to overcome past emotional suffering to make his present life more rewarding. Through Tsukuru's point of view, we see the ripple effects of rejection and the necessity of sometimes confronting the past to make sense of who we are in the present.’
A novel of abandonment, as Tsukuru confronts the ghosts of his past, we slowly unravel the mystery that has haunted him all his life. Now, this isn’t a book you hear a lot about, but it’s always been one of my favorites. Murakami’s philosophy of healing shrouded in a mystery novel isn’t an expected combination, but it certainly works well. I didn’t find this one too confusing or ambiguous either, which makes a change when it comes to reading Murakami.
4. For those who want to find out more about the author -
‘What I talk about when I talk about running’ (2007)
‘In 1982, having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, Murakami began running to keep fit. A year later, he’d completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and now, after dozens of such races, he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and on his writing.’
This memoir by Murakami, in which he writes about his interests and participation in long-distance running events, is a short yet rewarding read. I personally read this after already reading three of his other novels, but I can definitely see this book as a good starting point. Being given small glimpses into Murakami’s lifestyle and daily writing/running routine was really interesting. Even if you don’t choose this as a starting point, I would highly recommend checking this one out later on (especially if you are into running, as that takes up the majority of the book!).