Where to start with Haruki Murakami 

I started with Norwegian Wood. I've been a fan ever since

I loved KAFKA ON THE SHORE. I started with wind up bird chronicle and maybe it helped me appreciate kafka more. It felt the most poetic of the ones I’ve read

For me, Murakami’s book are like a fever dream. it’s not necessarily bad it’s just so weird sometimes but at the end you can kinda grasp the meaning for a second before letting it go again

I started with 1Q84. I originally read it for my AP Lit class in high school. This caused me to try and find the meeting behind the book and ask questions so, I think this caused me to appreciate it more. I am now reading Killing Commendatore.

I started with 'After Dark' - a bit of a weird introduction but nonetheless very intriguing and an addictively satisfying read. Just began 'Norwegian Wood' and wow such a contrast but man I just love his work!! quickly becoming one of my all-time favourites!!

I've started with Kafka On The Shore. I'm glad I did. At first, its strangeness, and lack of answers made it seem broken and almost lazy, but later it became clear that this is a great written portrayal of dream-logic. Have you ever had those dreams where everything seems to make sense or be familiar until you wake up and realize all of it had no bearing, and then quickly forget all aspects of what the dream even was? I think Murakami captured amazingly well in Kafka On The Shore. I'm sure there are some elements of imagery that make the story more concrete, but overall, I think its "other-worldliness" was the main intent. I'm reading Killing Commendatore right now. It's very enjoyable. Do you think it's a good starting place?

He's definitely my favorite author as well, I recently recommended him to a friend and suggested he start with a wild sheep chase too.

I'm reading colourless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage rn as my first Murakami book. I really love it so far. It is a different pace and style to what I am used to but it's really refreshing!!

I just finished "What I talk about when I talk about running" by him and it's my first Murakami book! A different approach, haha. I love the way he writes his thoughts in that book and can't wait to read Norwegian Wood because I'm a fan of realistic fiction. Thanks for this amazing video!

Very helpful. I now know where to start reading Murakami 💕💕

Great content Tyler! The first Murakami book I read, completely unaware of him as a writer and the concept of magical realism, was Kafka on the Shore. Needless to say, the more I read the more confused I got. However, I was fascinated with the feeling the book left me with, and it lingered in my mind for days afterward. I do agree it’s a tough book to start with, but I also look forward to reading it again and seeing what new perspectives I might engage with.

I started with wild sheep chase since i borrowed a copy from a classmate back in high school. Found it weird but it opened my world to surrealism. Never looked back and now I’m slowly reading his works one by one. Great video! Keep it up :)

Having read many Murakami books. To me, they are both interesting and thought provoking - philosophical. He manages to capture the issues that confront a lot of people, but in a surreal environment. He is so masterful that I don’t imagine that any scene is without meaning. I started with his running book followed by a number of short stories swiftly followed by Norweighn Wood and Kafkre Shore - which I loved. He is very skilled at writing mudane events and activities in a very satisfying and enjoyable way. He is one these writers whose writing seems effortless.

I love your recommendations! Thank you for this video!

I love this. I've been wanting to re-read a lot of Murakami. When I discovered him in highschool, I was obsessed. I'm excited to read them again, as an adult. My favourite is South of the Border, West of the Sun. However, even though I love his writing, I've never been able to tackle 1Q84.

been wanting to get into him recently - this video is. great help!

I actually started with dance dance dance and absolutely loved it. Was a bit tricky at times, I imagine because I hadn't read wild sheep chase before. Wind-up bird chronicles and kafka on the shore have been on my shelf for years and somehow were to intimidating. But dance dance dance was great, so now I will give them a go :-)

Good thoughts and breakdown of his works and where to start. However, I did start with Kafka on the Shore, precisely to know, that even at some of his most surreal, I enjoyed his writing, and I learned that I really did enjoy his style. I kept on from there reading the Wind Up Bird Chronicles. Then decided to see how I liked more of his realistic writing like Norwegian Wood. I like it all! From what I've heard, Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World might be his most confusing, surreal and challenging book to read.

My first Murakami book was 1Q84. It was a bit of a drag at first and I've been reading the first 200 pages on and off for a about a year or so... But then came a point in the book where the two narratives connected for the first time and I read the remaining 1000 pages in a couple of weeks. Been obsessed with his work ever since!

And another author to put on my tbr list. This is getting out of hand :D Thanks for the advice!

I started with Norwegian Wood, a wild sheep chase, then dance dance dance. That's a good standard opener to Murakami. Great suggestions 👍

I started with *Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World,* next *Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman* and then *The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle* which I think it's his masterpiece and one of my Top books of all time, then *1Q84* wich is CLOSE to TWUBC, and then *Hear the wind sing and Pinball.* Next in line there's *Kafka on the shore" and "Norwegian Wood.* I'd honestly recommend starting with *Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman* as it has a good taste of the recurring themes of Murakami while staying short, easy to read, and let's be honest, it's incredibly fun and deep at the same time. Love those short story's to bits. Also, I don't think you're boring, I'd love to have friends like you. You're cool bro. Nice vid.

Great video, excellent reasoning! I dove in headfirst, starting with The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, then 1Q84, followed by Kafka On The Shore! I have no regrets & I do agree that one should not start with 1Q84. It is one of the most original, ambitious pieces of fiction out there, but it would be a daunting introduction to Murakami! I may have had a built in advantage prior to reading Murakami. Just out of college I read The Magus by John Fowles, which is an incredible surreal, dreamy mystery. In 60 plus years of reading, Haruki Murakami is my favorite author!

When I wanted to start reading Murakami, I was a little overwhelmed by the sheer volume of novels he's published. I followed the general wave and started with Norwegian Wood (and absolutely loved it). I then went straight into his short story collection First Person Singular, which I feel was a great second choice. As I'm commenting this, I'm currently reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle which is my first taste of his magical realism and I can't get enough. I can't wait to read my way through all his works in the upcoming few years. I don't regret my Murakami journey, but this video would have been so helpful to me when I was making the initial decisions! thanks for posting! :)

Love your channel man! I see the book of basketball peeking out over there! Keep up your great work!

lmao my 2021 just got so much better after discovering u 3. All your guys’s videos are super good and i just spent my entire day binge watching all of them lol. ok 1. i only read Norwegian wood and the ending was so ??!!?? for me and i aint got any literally friends to talk about it so i would love to watch a video of what you thought of it( or maybe im just dumb and it actually made sense, just not for me lol) and 2. you all need to make Goodreads accounts so i can follow you lol ok that’s it, really think all your videos are underrated and i hope u keep it up and people get to discover you, it’s so refreshing to see people on this platform talk about something else other than YA books

The first Murakami I read was After Dark and I LOVED it so much. I read Men without Women next and like that as well (although one or two stories I didn’t like). Then followed Norwegian Wood which I didn’t hate but didn’t love. The most recent was Sputnik Sweetheart which is probably my second favorite!

Loving your channel man, keep it up!

Super interesting video - I've been wanting to read something of Murakami's for a while so it was very beneficial, thank u! Also I could not stop staring at all of your books in the background hahah, hope a bookshelf tour is on your list of videos to film?? Looking forward to your coming videos!

I´ve been meaning to start reading Murakami because I love love love magical realism (big Gabriel García Márquez fan), and I think your video has just inspired me to get up and pick the damn book. I have Norwegian Wood so I will start with this one but, honestly, the one that excites me the most is Kafka on the shore, don't know why. I think it's the talking to cats part hahaha. Amazing video, hope you are doing well!

interesting - Colorless tsukuru was my first too. I read it last month. Followed by the windup bird chronicle. Just finished that one yesterday. And, my reactions to both were seemingly similar to yours, although maybe for different reasons? WUBC was difficult for me because of the cruelty on display. It’s amazing how powerful words can be. Especially that one horrific scene. Absolutely loved the magical realism though and the complex tapestry that he wove. And I like tsukuru just as much even though it’s more straight forward. Anyway, I’m hooked. Bought 4 more of his novels today.

I started seeing little bits of murakami’s writing online and was immediately drawn in-never heard anything about him and for months I felt the need to read one of his books- I asked a grandparent for any one of his books for Christmas and got gifted 1Q84 Absolutely loved reading the entire book! The writing felt so familiar to me and the mystical elements felt so refreshing (I was surprised though bc I thought it was going to be more of an 1984 fanfic which thankfully it wasn’t-love 1984 but I’ve already read it 3 times lol)

I began my Murakami journey with 'Norwegian Wood' which was recommended by my best friend. Then I read 'After Dark' which was amazing, but leaves me surrounded by ambiguity and I loved that. What made me love him as much as my personal favorite writer Hemingway, was his prose and how similar it was to Ernest's, but the magical realism gives it a different flavor.

I started reading Murakami with Kafka on the Shore and got hooked immediately. One of the booktubers I follow said something along the lines of "Murakami's writing is like your favourite blanket" and I can't agree more, on how it gives me comfort now matter how much I reread. Also, it's nice to hear someone saying Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage as his favourite as it's mine too. Now, I just finished my 8th, which is The Wind-Up Bird, and about to start with 1Q84. I just can't explain how much I love this author.

Cool video. I actually started with Kafka on the Shore back in May/June and absolutely loved it. Having said that, my all time favourite book is One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, so, makes sense I guess.

I started with wild sheep chase …it got me hooked. I read over 30 years also. I think that is when the books came out…so I have been with him since. It is my favorite…love wind up bird chronicle…but maybe hard boiled chronicle and the end of the world. I love Murakami and have read all his works that have bee translated

I started with Norwegian Wood. Enjoyed it a great deal. I ended up purchasing several of his books right after. One being South of the Border, West of the Sun. Officially on the Murakami train. :)

I clicked on yout latest video I liked it and now m having my lil marathon from scratch !

I've had Colorles Tsukuru Tazaki an his Years of Pilgrimage has been on my tbr shelf for a while now but I have not heard any good things about it until now. Thanks for making me feel like picking it up again.

Man he’s very sarcastically funny 😆 love itt

Aha I started with "Colorless.." as well, followed by "Norwegian Wood" and really liked both. I wasn't sure which one to read next as I wanted more realism rather than surrealism so i started reading his short stories, of which some are amazing such as "Barn Burning", "Birthday girl", "Sleep", "Chance Traveler", "The second bakery attack" to name a few. But it seems "A wild sheep chase" will be my next novel read of his, so thanks for the recc

I read After Dark a long time ago but never followed up. I got a copy of Norwegian Wood which I managed to loose after reading the first chapter. I then got a new copy of Norwegian Wood and read it in a quarantine stint. It was an amazing book and it got me hooked. I then read Men without Women and First Person Singular. In the last 8 months I have read Kafka on the Shore, Wind up Bird Chronicle, Colorless Tsukuru, South of the Border, wild Sheep Chase and Hard Boiled Wonderland. I have Dance, Dance, Dance 1Q84, Killing Commendator and Sputnik Sweetheart on the bookshelf ready to read. My favourite is Kafta on the Shore, possibly because it was the first magical realism I read.

I actually started with Kafka on the Shore. It was the strangest thing I’d ever read but I was completely enthralled by it and couldn’t wait to read more. I can see why it might not be the best one to start with but I’m glad it worked for me.

Norwegian Wood is the book that made me his fan! Despite all the criticism, I just love this man's writings lol. I'm planning to read Colorless Tazaki next. Although it's not very popular but I've heard it's different from his usual story patterns. Anyway, loved your video!

10 years ago I bought 2 Murakami books. I started reading Hear the wind sing first and I didnt finish it because I was very confused . Then I read a bit of Kafka on the shore and decided to put them both back on the shelf for the same reason. Just about a month ago I decided to read his book again cuz I didnt have nothing to read. I picked Kafka on the shore and I fisnished it in 3 days. Now I am reading The Wind-up bird. Overall I think I like him and I would probably buy all his books. So my 1st Murakami book That I finished was Kafka on the shore and I think it is my favorite book. I also read Hear the wind sing and Pinball 1978 but I had to read them several times cuz they are still confusing. Pin Ball is a bit less confusing but still. Next I will try reading Colorless and Norwegian Wood. I hope I like them but I am not so sure because generally I like Murakami because of his surrealism and I am not a fan of romance books.

When reading a writer I don't know, I always like starting with short stories, if that is an option. I just happened to start with "Men Without Women", followed up with "The Elephant Vanishes", then went straight into "1Q84", which I absolutely loved. I envision I will read all of them eventually. Next up I have "Norwegian Wood" (finally) and "After the Quake" lined up. After 1Q84, I am taking a little Murakami break to read some LeGuin sci-fi. I love how Murakami writes, his evocative and thoughtful passages exploring the nature of reality and how we experience it; his short story endings leaving so many things open for the reader to consider; how the Japanese mindset colours the emotional relationships of his characters, often having a cool detachment that we don't expect in Western writing; and I like his subtle expressions of feminism, certainly not a given considering Japan still remains a strongly patriarchal society. I've read a few thousand books in my lifetime, but I think Murakami is probably one of my all-time favourites now.

I started with the Wild Sheep Chase and since then it is my goal to own and read every single Murakami publication. I just love that man's writing!

My first Murakami book was Kafka on the Shore. A friend bought it for me from Japan. I loved it. I have been reading more Murakami every since. Good luck with your future book videos. Hey don't say you're boring, even if you're joking. You are not.

My first Murakami was also Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki, after which I detoured into his nonfiction with Absolutely on Music and What I Talk About When I Talk About Running… certainly an unconventional approach to his works, but I absolutely love everything I’ve read. Currently reading First Person Singular for the first time.

I just read norwegian wood, I enjoy that there's alot of room for interpretation in his writings, I wouldn't say its a perfect book but its the first book i managed to read outside school so that says something.

what a good video to start getting to know a writer

Also read all of murakami and I strongly recommend starting with the wind up bird Chronicles It's his most believable relationship in my opinion and the surrealist elements relating to the dissolving of a relationship is very powerful

There was an interesting spot in my heart for literature but was very neglected by me,eventually when pandemic came I read Kafka on the shore and I quite dramatically rediscovered myself as in matters of likes and dislikes and ever since then simultaneously studying botany I also have been aspiring to be an author

I started with “Norwegian Wood” 😊 Loved it.

My first Murakami was A Wild Sheep Chase. I loved it!!

My first book is The strange library and It's the only one I have read by him.

My favorite author too. And Colorless Wonderland is my favoritess

I was in a bookshop, and I randomly picked up Men without Women, as I've heard a lot about Murakami. May be not a good start, but I've loved his writing ever since. The way he makes you feel the situation is just out of the world.

Passions: books, and movies, and... that's about it. Mate, I am the exact same. If I'm not on Letterboxd or watching a film, I'll be reading a book! I'm currently reading my first Murakami, The Wind-up Bird Chroncile, and all I can say is: I was supposed to be writing an entire essay today, but much of the day was spent with Murakami 😂 Anyway, great video. Keep doing what you're doing 👍🏻

I start with Kafka on shore. Now I read Sputnik sweetheart and I kinda say it my fav so far, there are so many hidden things in his massage through out the book that I need to do reread and do more research, his first book that made me think deeply

Great, thank you

extremely fact-less description i.e. you described the author without any spoilers. which is excellent.

I started with "the strange library" which I loved. I think that is also a very good place to start with if you want to read more magical realism

I recently (quarantine) got in to reading again because of boredom I picked up Haruki Murakami because I want to read Japanese Literature. I started with Norwegian Wood honestly I was a bit disappointed it was good but it just didn’t resonate well with me I was hoping with all the hype I’ve seen it would at least work for everyone but it didn’t for me. After Dark was my second book it was a bit weird I have mixed opinions with this so I might have to reread this later. My third is Khafka on the Shore I don’t think I should’ve picked this up I just couldn’t get what’s going on. Now I think of starting with 1Q84 but my friend gave me a trick to not get bored reading because this was the one that caught my eye I should read another book while reading it so I can digest what’s going on and to not get bored so I might give South of the border West of the sun a go because it’s another romance by Haruki Murakami I think this might redeem for Norwegian Wood for me and I think I can also reread Kafka on the middle if I decide to take another breather.

Hi, I have read two of Murakami's books - Kafka on the Shore and Norwegian Wood, and although I love the author's writing style, I still every time get offended by the strange sexual scenes & the way he describes them in his books. That makes me refrain from reading any more of his books, but I really don't want to stop like that. Could you please make a video as to "Why you think it is still worth reading Murakami despite the strangeness of his novels". Thank you very much again. I loved this video.

Reading "Wind & Pinball", his first works alongside "The City and Its Uncertain Walls" (his latest work; it's already out in Spanish, my native language) and also his 24 short stories "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman"

I have read three Murakami books so far which are After Dark being the first one, Sputnik Sweetheart and Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki and I recently started Norwegian Wood

Hello! I started with Norwegian Wood and I really love it

I started Murakami with: A Wild Sheep Chase! And the experience was superb!!!!

You cannot be a boring person if you love movies and books 😂 I'm glad I came across this video, since I am a big fan of Murakami. I'm currently reading Dance,Dance,Dance, but the first book that introduced me to Murakami was The wind up bird chronicle.

I'm a huge fan of Murakami and loved this video! Haven't read all of his novels but I'm making progress 😊 hope you'll upload more videos about him! I agree with you, I don't think one should start with 1Q84, even though it was my first! I think I was lucky and fell in love with his style and writing, but it can be overwhelming for others. I think you'd really enjoy The Seventh Day by Yu Hua. It gave me major Murakami vibes! :)

I love this guy

Read 1Q84 first. Found it next to a large rubbish bin, in a "to good to throw" pile. I remembered Murakami comes highly recommended from you, so I picked it up. Turned into my favourite book (maybe only Harry Potter comes out ahead)

I adore Murakami too! But, if I'm being honest, I've only read Tsukuru Tazaki, yet it felt so different and strangely connected to me that I knew I love his work just from it.

i started with After Dark! Then I went onto Kafka on The Shore. I think starting with After Dark due to its length.

I read a sample of Kafka on the Shore and First Person Singular, and I’m not native English speakers so I was afraid a little bit of the language that might be hard for me but I actually got surprised by how easy it was for me and not complicated as people say, so I don’t know I really want to start reading for him I guess, wish me luck and thank you for your advice ❤

I actually started with “hear the wind sing” because I thought it looked interesting at the library and since then I have been a fan

Sputnik Sweetheart and Norwegian Wood had special impact on my life that they're my top Murakami picks

I started with The Elephant Vanishes. Trying to decide what to read next.

No time to register the titles when I don’t already know them, Kafka was my first one and it was love at 1st sight Thank you for your review

Started with kafka on the shore and I'm currently reading after dark (loving it)

People who like reading difficult & thought provoking Books are cool, well put together Persons, definitly not boring.

I've started about 8 years back with 'a wild sheep chase', found it at a local library, followed by 'dance, dance, dance' and just loved his style, been an avid fan ever since... And actually it's his surrealism that makes it easier and more interesting to read, the realistic novels don't have the same appeal... But still the way he engages you in 'norwegian woods' it's just beyond

How many of those books on your bookshelf have you read?

I started with (Samsa in love) I was confused by the style I didn't know what was going on then I did a little search and found out that it was written as a sequel to Kafka's Metamorphosis , so I decided to read metamorphosis first and that's how I met Franz Kafka's work 😂 then I went back to Samsa in love and only then it made sense. It was a very weird (in a good way) experience. Murakami is crazy.

Those editions you have on the left look awesome, where can I get them?

Kafka on the Shore and 1q84 were actually my first Murakami books! lmao. To be fair, I had 1hr long commutes to work on the train

I started with 1q84. I became a fan of him and bought all his books

I have read Norwegian Wood and Sputnik Sweetheart one after the other .I loved both of it but it's sad that no one is discussing about Sputnik Sweetheart !?The ending was amazing and magical but left many questions to the reader.But I didn't found a single booktuber or blogger to discuss about it.This made me sad.😞 Btw my next read will be "Kafka on the Shore"😀

Just bought wild sheep chase on your recommendation. I hope it would be good🤞🏿

Everyone keeps saying that starting Kafka on the Shore in the Murakami books is ideal, and I did but I was a little disappointed. I expected so much on this author considering that he's really famous. But I don't know, I admire you so much I want to try Murakami again, lol. Maybe Norwegian Wood this time...

Where should I put . .After dark in that order ... ? Really looking forward to it.

My personal picks: Realistic Fiction: 1. South of the Border West of the Sun 2. Colorless Tsukuru 3.Norwegian Wood Magical Realism 1. Kafka on the Shore 2. Rat Trilogy (HWS/PB - WSC - Dance3x) 3. Wind Up Bird Chronicle Agree on not starting 1Q84.

I started with Dance Dance Dance loved it then read wild sheep chase then realized it was part of the rat trilogy and read wind/pinball completely read it all backwards lol but it somehow made sense

I started reading Norwegein wood and I'm halfway through.. That's absolutely fantastic... Which next book would u like to suggest me of his writings?

I started with Dance Dance Dance, I had no idea it was the fourth book of a series until he wrote something about the Rat near page 200 or so and I was thinking who is this rat character? Otherwise loved the book, then I read Kafka on the Shore (love) and now currently reading Colorless Tsukuru (love)

I ordered a bunch of books online kafka on the shore was one of them but when i started reading it, i found out it was a counterfeit and it has so many spelling mistakes , its such a good book too (the book is way past return date so i'm just stuck with a counterfeit T-T) I know its my fault for not checking the batch of books beforehand cuz i trusted the online store but also its so annoying seeing people actually making copies.

I didnt know where to start so I just read Norwegian wood since it had a pretty good cover( touche, I know) but that's how I got started and the minute I started reading murakami, I just couldn't put it down. Sure, the book fucked me up but I knew that i had to read more of his books and Here I am Now. So yeah, he's really Good

Colorless tsukuru tazaki is also my favorite. Don't really get the hate it receives, i think it's one of his better written narratives of self-discovery

Whats your thoughts on Killing Commendatore? someone just gave it to me. good place to start or nah?