If you’ve ever wondered what the hype around Haruki Murakami is all about, you’re not alone. Over the years, this soft-spoken Japanese author has built a cult following across the world—including a growing fan base here in India. But what is it that makes Murakami books so irresistible? And which one should you pick up first?
Whether you’re new to literary fiction or already into moody, atmospheric writing, Murakami offers something special: a blend of the surreal and the deeply human. In this guide, we’ll break down what makes his work so unique, and which Murakami book to start with if you’re ready to dive in.
Who Is Haruki Murakami and Why Is He So Famous?
Haruki Murakami is a bestselling Japanese author whose books have been translated into over 50 languages. He stumbled into writing in his late twenties, inspired by a moment during a baseball game when he suddenly felt he could write a novel. That first book, Hear the Wind Sing, was written at night after his shifts running a jazz bar in Tokyo—and it won a major literary prize in Japan. With each passing title, Murakami carved out a niche that was wholly his own, blending magical realism with themes of loneliness, love, memory and time.
What Makes Murakami Books Unique?
If you’re tired of predictable plots and formulaic writing, Murakami books are a breath of fresh air. His stories feel like puzzles—beautiful, slow-burning, and often strange.
His characters often drift through dreamlike landscapes—sometimes real, sometimes imagined—searching for connection or meaning. They include disappearing cats, parallel worlds, shadowy libraries and mysterious women. But beneath the surreal, his books speak deeply to human feelings.
While his signature writing style is minimalist, the emotional and philosophical weight behind his words is anything but. Themes like memory, nostalgia, heartbreak and identity repeat across his novels.
Why We Love Murakami
There’s something about Murakami books that resonates deeply with Indian readers. Perhaps it’s the emotional stillness, the quiet exploration of mental health, or the underlying spirituality. His books don’t scream. They whisper—and in doing so, leave a lasting impression.
Young readers appreciate his offbeat characters and existential questions. Older readers connect with his meditations on time and memory. If you enjoy authors like Paulo Coelho, Elif Shafak or even R.K. Narayan for their introspective storytelling, Murakami may be your next favourite.
Best Murakami Book to Start With
If you’re looking for the best Murakami book to start with, we recommend Norwegian Wood. It’s his most grounded, emotional, and accessible novel—and often a fan favourite for first-timers.
Set in Tokyo in the 1960s, this coming-of-age story follows Toru Watanabe, a university student navigating grief, love and friendship. With its Beatles-inspired title and melancholy mood, the book dives into themes of depression, healing and the complexity of human connection.
Unlike some of his more surreal novels, Norwegian Wood stays rooted in reality. It gives you a taste of Murakami’s lyrical style and emotional depth—without diving straight into metaphysical dreamscapes. That’s why many consider it the perfect entry point.
More Great Murakami Books To Add To Your Collection
Once you’ve sampled Norwegian Wood, you’ll likely want more. Here are a few other Murakami books to add to your reading list, each offering a different flavour of his storytelling.
A dual-narrative novel featuring a 15-year-old runaway and an elderly man who can talk to cats. This one is surreal, strange, and unforgettable.
Kafka Tamura flees home to escape a dark family prophecy, while Nakata, an older man with mysterious powers, is drawn into a parallel journey. As their paths converge through metaphysical twists, the story explores fate, identity, and the blurred lines between dreams and reality.
Murakami’s magnum opus. A bizarre, gripping novel that weaves war, memory and mystery. It’s long but rewards patient readers.
Toru Okada searches for his missing wife and uncovers a labyrinth of secrets involving war crimes, trauma, and a sinister psychic network. This book pulls you into Tokyo’s backstreets—and into the hidden recesses of the human psyche.
Taking place over a single night, this book captures the Tokyo underworld like no other. Short, stylish, and atmospheric.
Two sisters—one asleep in a mysterious coma, the other drifting through neon-lit Tokyo—anchor this quietly unsettling story. As strangers collide in 3AM diners and dingy love hotels, Murakami paints a noir-like portrait of loneliness and connection.
A collection of short stories about lonely men and the women they can’t forget. It’s subtle, elegant, and classic Murakami. From actors to surgeons to isolated lovers, each man carries a quiet ache for someone lost or unreachable.
These emotionally restrained stories explore masculinity, memory and heartbreak—with Murakami’s signature quiet grace.
Explore Our Collection of Murakami Books
From his bestselling novels to his short stories and essays, we’ve got everything you need to get started on your Murakami journey.
