44 pages 1 hour read

Haruki Murakami

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami, Tsukuru Tazaki, once abandoned by his close friends without explanation, grows up to be a train station engineer struggling with loneliness and unfulfilled relationships. Urged by a new acquaintance named Sara, he confronts his past friends to uncover the truth behind their rejection, leading him on a journey of self-discovery and reconciliation. The novel contains graphic sexual content, explicit discussions of rape, and portrays various mental health struggles including depression.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Haruki Murakami’s novel, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, is praised for its introspective narrative and lyrical prose. While some admire the exploration of solitude and identity, others find the plot meandering and the characters underdeveloped. Overall, the novel's enigmatic charm and emotional depth resonate, though it may falter in pacing.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage?

A reader who would enjoy Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami is likely drawn to introspective narratives, themes of alienation, and enigmatic storylines. Similar to fans of Kafka on the Shore and Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, they appreciate literary fiction that blends the surreal with deep emotional undertones.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

HL800L

Book Details

Genre

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Japanese Literature

Realistic Fiction

Themes

Relationships: Friendship

Emotions/Behavior: Memory

Natural World: Appearance & Reality

Topics

Grief / Death

Trauma / Abuse / Violence

Love / Sexuality

Period

Asian Literature