a2Reading

Haruki Murakami
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Early Life
Haruki Murakami was born on January 12, 1949, in Kyoto, Japan. His parents were both teachers. His father, Chiaki, taught Japanese literature, and his mother, Miyuki, taught high school. Because of his parents, Murakami grew up surrounded by books. From a young age, he loved reading, but he didn’t only read Japanese books. He was very interested in Western books, especially novels from America and Europe. This interest in foreign literature would later influence his own writing style.
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Murakami grew up during a time when Japan was changing after World War II. As a young boy, he moved to Kobe, a large port city in Japan. This city was different because many foreigners lived there. Murakami became very interested in foreign culture, especially American music and films. This love for Western culture is clear in his books, where he often mentions American music, movies, and literature.
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Education and Early Career
When Murakami finished high school, he went to Waseda University in Tokyo. He studied drama and film, which was not a very common choice for students at the time. While studying, Murakami met his future wife, Yoko. They got married while still in university. After finishing his studies, Murakami and Yoko opened a small jazz bar in Tokyo called “Peter Cat.” He ran this bar for many years before he became a full-time writer.
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Murakami loved music, especially jazz, and it played a big role in his life. At the bar, he would play jazz records for customers while serving drinks. This love of music also appears in his books. Many of his characters enjoy listening to jazz or classical music, and Murakami often uses music to set the mood in his stories.
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Becoming a Writer
Murakami didn’t start writing until he was 29 years old. One day, while watching a baseball game, he suddenly had the idea that he could write a novel. He went home and started writing his first novel, Hear the Wind Sing. He wrote this book at night after work and finished it in just a few months. To his surprise, the book won a literary prize in Japan. This success gave him the confidence to keep writing.
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After Hear the Wind Sing, he wrote two more novels, Pinball, 1973 and A Wild Sheep Chase. These three books are often called “The Trilogy of the Rat” because they share some of the same characters and themes. These early books were different from other Japanese novels at the time. They had a unique style, mixing Western culture with Japanese life, and they were full of mystery and strange events. People started to notice Murakami as a new, exciting voice in Japanese literature.
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International Success
Murakami’s big international success came with his novel Norwegian Wood, published in 1987. This novel is a love story about a young man named Toru and his relationships with two women, Naoko and Midori. Norwegian Wood became very popular in Japan, especially among young readers. The book was so popular that Murakami became a celebrity. However, he didn’t like all the attention and moved away from Japan for a while to live in Europe.
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After Norwegian Wood, Murakami continued writing, and his books became famous all over the world. Some of his most famous novels include The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Kafka on the Shore, and 1Q84. These books mix everyday life with magical, dreamlike events. This style is called “magical realism.” In his stories, strange things happen, but the characters act as if they are normal. This gives his books a special, mysterious feeling.
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Writing Style and Themes
Murakami’s writing is very unique. He mixes fantasy and reality, and his books often feel like dreams. He also uses simple language, which makes his stories easy to read. Even though his books are full of strange and magical things, they are also about real emotions and problems. Many of his characters are lonely or lost, trying to find meaning in their lives.
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One of the main themes in Murakami’s books is isolation. His characters often feel separated from the world or other people. They are searching for something, but they don’t always know what it is. Sometimes, his characters go on strange adventures to find answers, but the answers are not always clear.
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Another theme is music. Murakami loves music, and it is important in his books. His characters often listen to music, and Murakami uses songs to help set the mood. Jazz, classical, and rock music are all common in his stories.
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Murakami also writes about memory and the past. His characters often think about their pasts and try to understand how their memories have shaped who they are. This is especially clear in Norwegian Wood, where the main character, Toru, looks back on his college days and his relationship with Naoko.
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Personal Life
Murakami is a very private person. Even though he is a famous writer, he doesn’t like talking about his personal life. He prefers to stay out of the spotlight and focus on his writing. He and his wife Yoko have no children, and they live a quiet life. Murakami has many hobbies, including running marathons, swimming, and listening to music.
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Running is very important to Murakami. He has written a book called What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, where he talks about how running helps him with his writing. He believes that running helps him stay focused and gives him the energy to write. Every day, he wakes up early to write, and then he goes for a run.
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Awards and Recognition
Murakami has won many literary awards throughout his career. His books have been translated into more than 50 languages, making him one of the most famous Japanese writers in the world. Even though he has many fans, not everyone in Japan likes his work. Some traditional Japanese critics think his writing is too influenced by Western culture. However, his fans love his unique style and his ability to mix fantasy and reality.
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Many people believe that Murakami will one day win the Nobel Prize in Literature, but he has not won it yet. Every year, his fans hope that he will receive the prize, but so far, it hasn’t happened.
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Legacy
Haruki Murakami has changed the way people think about Japanese literature. He has brought a new, modern style to storytelling, mixing Japanese life with Western culture. His books are read all over the world, and he has inspired many young writers.
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Even though Murakami is now in his 70s, he continues to write. His books still capture the imagination of readers, and his unique voice continues to influence the world of literature. Many people admire his dedication to his craft, and his stories remain popular with both young and old readers.
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Conclusion
Haruki Murakami’s life is an example of how passion and creativity can lead to success. From running a small jazz bar to becoming one of the world’s most famous writers, Murakami’s journey has been unique. His love for music, literature, and running has shaped his life and his writing. His stories, full of mystery, dreams, and emotions, continue to touch the hearts of readers all over the world.
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Murakami’s writing is special because it combines the ordinary with the extraordinary. His characters are often normal people, but they find themselves in magical or strange situations. This makes his stories feel both real and unreal at the same time. His ability to mix reality and fantasy, along with his deep understanding of human emotions, has made him a literary icon.
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For English learners at A2 level, Haruki Murakami’s life story is an interesting and inspiring journey, showing how someone can follow their passions and make a global impact through their creativity.
True/False Questions
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Haruki Murakami’s parents were both teachers.
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Murakami opened his first jazz bar in Kyoto.
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Haruki Murakami didn’t start writing novels until he was 29 years old.
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Norwegian Wood was Murakami’s first novel to gain international success.
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Murakami prefers public attention and enjoys being a celebrity.
Comprehension Questions
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Where was Haruki Murakami born?
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What was the name of Murakami’s jazz bar?
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Why did Murakami become interested in Western culture?
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At what age did Murakami start writing, and what inspired him?
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What is Murakami’s first novel called?
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Why did Murakami move away from Japan after Norwegian Wood became popular?
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What are some of the themes Murakami explores in his novels?
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How does Murakami describe the relationship between his writing and running?
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What style of writing is Murakami famous for, and how is it unique?
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Has Murakami won the Nobel Prize in Literature?