Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage is a coming-of-age novel that tells the story of Tsukuru Tazaki, a Japanese railroad engineer haunted by a great loss.

When his close-knit group of friends abruptly cuts all relationships with him, a young Tsukuru is left depressed and without answers. Years later, Tsukuru attempts to reconcile with his old friends, embarking on a quest for truth and a pilgrimage for happiness. Throughout the novel, Murakami explores themes of identity, friendship, alienation, and mental health.

What I Liked

I really don’t know – I’ve read every book that Murakami has written and I still can’t put my finger on why. There’s something – it’s a weird mix of setting, character, and something that draws me to read all of his books. Same with this one. It’s brilliant, but strange.

What I Did Not Like

Ok. Murakami is weird. Like really, really weird. I don’t think I can recommend any of his books to anyone. So, I don’t like that. But I also don’t think he can be any less weird without losing some of his books’ magic (they do a lot of magical realism anyway).

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami
$11.49
In Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, Haruki Murakami tells the story of Tsukuru, a railroad engineer grappling with the sudden loss of his close friends. After years of feeling lost, he sets out to reconnect with them, exploring deep themes like identity and alienation along the way. I find Murakami's work oddly captivating, even if I can't quite explain why. However, his trademark weirdness makes it tough for me to recommend his books to others. Still, there's a unique charm in that strangeness that keeps me coming back for more.
Pros:
  • The novel explores deep themes of identity, friendship, alienation, and mental health.
  • Murakami's unique style is captivating and draws me into his storytelling.
  • The book has a brilliant yet strange quality that keeps me engaged.
Cons:
  • Murakami's weirdness may alienate some readers.
  • I can't recommend his books to anyone due to their unconventional nature.
  • Without the weirdness, the magic of his storytelling might be lost.
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02/13/2025 08:31 pm GMT
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