Haruki Murakami
Japan's most internationally acclaimed living novelist
Most quoted
"Sometimes fate is like a small sandstorm that keeps changing directions. You change direction but the sandstorm chases you. You turn again, but the storm adjusts itself to your movement. Again and again. Until at last, you and the storm stop trying to outrun each other. This is because the storm isn't something that has nothing to do with you, something that's blowing from far away. The storm is you. Something inside of you. So all you can do is give in to it, step right inside the storm, closing your eyes and plugging up your ears so the sand doesn't get in, and walk through it, step by step."
— from Kafka on the Shore, 2002
"Sometimes fate is like a small sandstorm that keeps changing directions. You change direction but the sandstorm chases you. You turn again, but the storm adjusts. Over and over you play this out, like some ominous dance with death just before dawn. Why? Because this storm isn't something that blew in from far away, something that has nothing to do with you. This storm is you. Something inside of you. So all you can do is give in to it, step right inside the storm, closing your eyes and plugging up your ears so the sand doesn't get in, and walk through it, step by step."
— from Kafka on the Shore, 2002
"Sometimes fate is like a small sandstorm that keeps changing directions. You change direction but the sandstorm chases you. You turn again, but the storm adjusts. Again and again you play this game, like a hapless dancer with Death. Because the storm isn't something that blew in from far away, something that has nothing to do with you. This storm is you. Something inside you. So all you can do is give in to it, step right inside the storm, closing your eyes and plugging up your ears so the sand doesn't get in, and walk through it, step by step."
— from Kafka on the Shore, 2002
All quotes by Haruki Murakami (395)
I'm not a very social person. I don't like to go out much. I prefer to stay home and read or listen to music.
Writing is a lonely profession. You spend a lot of time by yourself, just you and your thoughts.
I don't really have a message I want to convey. I just want to tell a story.
Music is very important to me. It's always been a part of my life, ever since I was a child.
I don't believe in writer's block. If you're blocked, it means you're not doing it right.
Running is a way for me to clear my head and get some exercise. It's a very solitary activity, which I like.
I don't think about my readers when I'm writing. I just write the story I want to tell.
I'm not a very religious person, but I do believe in something beyond ourselves.
I think it's important to be honest with yourself, even if it's painful.
I don't like to talk about my personal life. I prefer to keep it private.
I'm not a very ambitious person. I just want to live a simple life and write my books.
I think it's important to have a sense of humor, even in the darkest of times.
I don't believe in happy endings. Life is more complicated than that.
I think it's important to be open to new experiences, even if they're a little scary.
I don't like to plan things too much. I prefer to just see where life takes me.
I think it's important to be kind to others, even if they're not kind to you.
I don't believe in perfection. I think it's more important to be authentic.
I think it's important to find your own voice, and not try to imitate others.
I don't like to be rushed. I prefer to take my time and do things at my own pace.
I think it's important to be grateful for what you have, even if it's not much.
Contemporaries of Haruki Murakami
Other Literatures born within 50 years of Haruki Murakami (1949).