What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is, obviously, Murakami's memoir-ish telling of his 25 plus year relationship with running and his preparation for the New York City marathon nearing the age of 50. I really liked this book, not because of any clever writing techniques or unconventional imagery (both things he's known for) but for the honesty and incite contained in the writing, particularly the incite into how and why Murakami writes his novels, which thankfully is not in the same pontificating vein of writers writing a book about writing. I think this is because Murakami did not set out to write about writing, but about running, something he clearly has a passion for as must anyone whose run over 20 marathons, and as he writes about running that passion spills out, over and into his passion for writing and shows incite into how he goes about it, with patience and proper pacing. In other words, how he runs how taught and helped him be a better and healthier writer 'body and soul' as he puts it.
An enjoyable read for any Murakami fans or runners, who can probably appreciate the pains he talks about all the better.
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