This week’s recommended reads for writers is Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami
Haruki Murakami, one of the most celebrated authors of our time, has an uncanny ability to create worlds that are at once familiar and profoundly surreal. His novels often leave readers wondering about the mysterious process that leads to the creation of such rich, immersive narratives.
In Novelist as a Vocation, Murakami invites readers to step into his mind and explore the intricate art of novel writing. This book is a deeply personal, insightful, and engaging exploration of what it means to be a novelist, offering an invaluable glimpse into the creative processes of a master storyteller.
Murakami’s Voice
From the very beginning, Murakami’s voice is clear and candid. Unlike many how-to guides on writing, Novelist as a Vocation does not offer a step-by-step process or formula for success. Instead, Murakami shares his reflections on the craft of writing, the challenges he has faced throughout his career, and the unique way he approaches his work. The book is structured as a collection of essays, each touching on different aspects of the novelist’s life, from the practical to the philosophical.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the book is Murakami’s discussion of how he became a writer. For a man whose works have achieved global acclaim, it is fascinating to learn that he did not initially set out to become a novelist. In fact, his journey began somewhat serendipitously while he was running a jazz bar in Tokyo.
It was during a baseball game that Murakami experienced an epiphany—an inexplicable realization that he could write a novel. This moment of clarity, as he describes it, is both mystifying and inspiring, and it sets the tone for the rest of the book. For aspiring writers, this story serves as a reminder that the path to becoming a novelist is often nonlinear and filled with unexpected turns.
About Haruki Murakami
In 1978, Haruki Murakami was twenty-nine and running a jazz bar in downtown Tokyo. One April day, the impulse to write a novel came to him suddenly while watching a baseball game. That first novel, Hear the Wind Sing, won a new writers’ award and was published the following year. More followed, including A Wild Sheep Chase and Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, but it was Norwegian Wood, published in 1987, that turned Murakami from a writer into a phenomenon.
In works such as The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, 1Q84, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running and Men Without Women, Murakami’s distinctive blend of the mysterious and the everyday, of melancholy and humour, continues to enchant readers, ensuring his place as one of the world’s most acclaimed and well-loved writers.
Narration and Language
Throughout the book, Murakami delves into the role of the novel in society. He reflects on how novels have the power to shape and reflect cultural consciousness, and how, as a writer, one must be attuned to the world around them.
Murakami’s own novels, which often blend the mundane with the fantastical, are testament to his ability to capture the essence of modern life while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of what fiction can achieve. In Novelist as a Vocation, he articulates the importance of writing with both honesty and imagination, and how the balance of these elements is crucial to creating a compelling narrative.
Murakami also offers readers a window into his daily writing routine. He emphasizes the importance of discipline and consistency in the life of a novelist, describing how he maintains a strict schedule of writing every day, regardless of whether inspiration strikes.
This pragmatic approach is coupled with a deep reverence for the creative process. Murakami recognizes that inspiration can be elusive, but he believes that by showing up at the desk each day, a writer increases their chances of encountering it.
What makes Novelist as a Vocation particularly engaging is Murakami’s willingness to share the challenges and doubts he has faced throughout his career. Despite his success, he admits to feeling insecure at times and acknowledges the difficulties of sustaining a long-term career as a novelist.
His reflections on these challenges are honest and relatable, making the book not just a guide for writers, but also a source of comfort and encouragement.
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In conclusion, Novelist as a Vocation is a must-read for anyone interested in the craft of writing, whether they are seasoned authors, aspiring novelists, or simply fans of Murakami’s work. The book offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the mind of a literary genius, revealing the thoughts and practices that have shaped his extraordinary career.
Murakami’s essays are both informative and inspirational, leaving readers with a renewed appreciation for the art of storytelling and the profound impact it can have on both individuals and society as a whole.
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