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What to Read If You Like Haruki Murakami
Mind-bending magical realism and surrealism for fans of Murakami’s books.
Published on May 12, 2022
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love
Raymond CarverThis title sounds familiar for a reason — it served as inspiration behind Murakami’s memoir, “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.” Carver’s collection of short and simple slice-of-life stories explores the meaning of life and love. His wry and frank approach to sharing realistic and relatable stories of average Americans’ lives is storytelling at its finest.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel
Neil GaimanIf you’ve forgotten what it’s like to be a child, Gaiman can help. After this novel’s protagonist returns to his childhood home, he unleashes long-forgotten memories that intrigue and horrify him, including befriending a young girl (who may or may not be as old as time itself) who protects him from terrifying monsters. Like “Kafka on the Shore”, “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” deals with the blurred lines between dreams and reality and reminds readers that what’s real and important are our feelings and experiences.
The Beautiful Ones: A Novel
Silvia Moreno-GarcíaIt’s difficult to articulate the genre of “The Beautiful Ones” — part novel of manners, part Regency romance, part fantasy, all coming together to create a lyrically lush work of art. All of Moreno-Garcia’s works (“Mexican Gothic,” “Gods of Jade and Shadow”) are vastly different from each other as she pushes the boundaries of beautiful storytelling.
The Metamorphosis
Franz KafkaMurakami has long expressed his admiration for Kafka (hello, “Kafka on the Shore”) and has cited the novelist’s works as inspiration for his own surreal writing style. “The Metamorphosis” is the story of Gregor Samsa and his overnight transformation into a giant beetle. What follows is absurdist humor mixed with messages regarding the struggle of man’s existence in a modern society.
The New Life: A Novel
Orhan PamukPahmuk’s exploration of magical realism and modernism in literature often include unsettling scenes, complex and intricate plots, and themes of loss of identity and confusion — not unlike Murakami’s writing. “The New Life '' features a young man whose life is turned upside down by a magical book that triggers a quest in search of deeper meaning of the book’s secrets.
The Brothers Karamazov
Fyodor DostoevskyMurakami has often stated his favorite books over the years, and a mainstay includes Dostoyevsky’s 1879 murder mystery involving a weathy landowner and his three sons. Murakami said about the famed Russian novelist, “Most writers get weaker and weaker as they age. But Dostoevsky didn’t. He kept getting bigger and greater. He wrote ‘The Brothers Karamazov’ in his late fifties. That’s a great novel.”
The Housekeeper and the Professor
Yoko OgawaThis melancholic novel may just restore your faith in humanity. It’s told from the perspective of a housekeeper who takes care of a former professor whose short-term memory resets every 80 minutes. The unnamed professor’s relationship with the housekeeper’s young son is particularly sweet and wholesome.
The Book of Magic: A Novel
Alice HoffmanHoffman’s poetic writing style is similar to Murakami’s in that it is extraordinarily thought-provoking while remaining accessible to readers. Hoffman’s bewitching conclusion to the “Practical Magic” series wraps up the story of the Owens family and their race against time to break a generational curse. Although this is the last installment written in the series, it can also be read as a standalone novel.
Beasts Head for Home: A Novel
Kobo AbeIf you’re a fan of “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle,” check out Abe’s historical fiction that recounts the story of a young Japanese man, Kuki Kyozo, and his companion, Ko, as they struggle to escape China after the end of World War II.
The Bone Clocks
David MitchellThis expansive, award-winning story from Mitchell takes you through decades of Holly Sykes’ difficult, beautiful, magical, and ultimately dystopian life. A wild ride with apocalyptic ends that won the 2015 World Fantasy Award. Often compared to Murakami, Mitchell’s writing style subtly weaves together various genres, timelines, and narratives. While things may seem unclear at first, everything comes together brilliantly to create a work of magical realism art.