5 must-read Haruki Murakami short stories
An author with golden words!
Haruki Murakami has created his own surreal form of writing. The way he mixes and matches magical reality, surrealism, and fiction, no other author can excel in that. The Japanese author has written some extraordinary books like Kafka on the Shore, Norwegian Woods, Killing Commendatore, and 1Q84. He has always kept his readers on the edge with his writing.
In Murakami’s book, anything can happen!
There are many out there who haven’t read Murakami’s books. Just because his books are a long read! So, in this article, I decided to list some of the best short stories Haruki Murakami has ever written.
Kino
Haruki Murakami has published a book — Men Without Women. It is a collection of short stories Murakami has written. In the very book, there is a story named Kino.
Also, my favorite short story by him.
Kino is a story of a divorced bar owner who has made a strange connection with a regular customer — a mysterious one. Kino is a lonely man and heartbroken. But, he knows how to live with dignity. The magical realism piece kicks in when snakes start visiting his bar.
The story starts taking sharp turns. But, snakes never leave Kino. Wherever Kino goes, snakes appear. But, why?
This story has one of the deepest and most beautiful lines I have ever read.
When I should have felt real pain, I stifled it. I didn’t want to take it on, so I avoided faing up to it. Which is why my heart is so empty now. The snakes have grabbed that spot and are trying to hide their coldly beating hearts there. — Kino
Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey
Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey is the latest short story written by Mr. Murakami. It is just a simple story! Like every other Murakami story, it also leaves a question unanswered.
Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey focuses on the protagonist meeting with a monkey. A monkey who can speak like a human, scrubs guests’ backs in the hot springs, drink beer, fall in love with human females, and steal women's names.
If there are no strange and queer events happening in the book, you are not reading Murakami. But, this book has ticked all the boxes- an animal talking, strange love, and unanswered questions.
“You may not believe me,” the monkey said. “You probably won’t believe me, I should say. But, from a certain point on, I started stealing the names of the women I fell for.”
Yesterday
Haruki’s love for music is unconditional. In many of the books, Murakami has given a new life to music. But, why am I talking about his music love?
The name of this short story comes from a “Beatles” famous song, Yesterday. And, the song plays an important role in the story. Kitaru and Tanimura are colleagues who work at a coffee shop. While Tanimura is reserved, Kitaru is an extrovert and sings Yesterday in a very unusual way.
The story shows its absurdness when Erika Kuritani goes out on the date with Tanimura. Known to the fact, Kitaru and Erika are together, Tanimura decides to meet her. Erika makes some shocking revelations in front of Tanimura. And, when Kitaru gets to know about their date. He disappears!
Kitaru never comes back to work!
Yesterday talks about relationships, complications, and most importantly, ikigai of a person. If you are in your twenties or a teenager, this short story will entertain you in a very realistic and truthful manner.
Birthday Girl
Birthday Girl is the most confusing story by Murakami. The word “confusing” doesn’t mean it is a bad short story. This short story leaves many questions unanswered. It creates a cobweb of thoughts and questions in your brain. Hence, it becomes confusing!
Birthday Girl is a story of a woman who is sharing her twentieth birthday events with her friend. On her twentieth birthday, she had to work as a waitress at an Italian restaurant. The manager of the restaurant suddenly falls sick. So, she had to deliver the dinner to the owner, who lives on the sixth floor.
When she delivers the food, the owner asks her to share a drink with him. While chit-chatting she discloses that it is her birthday today. To which, the owner grants her a wish.
The only condition was that she couldn’t change her mind and take it back later.
But, was that wish fulfilled? The story leaves its readers with this big question.
Samsa In Love
If you have read Haruki’s work, you must have been aware of his admiration for Kafka. His book Kafka on the Shore has the protagonist named Kafka and this short story has Gregor Samsa from “The Metamorphosis”, a famous book by Franz Kafka.
Samsa in Love starts with a beetle who after metamorphosis turns into Gregor Samsa. Yes, the character from Franz Kafka’s book! He spends all day trying to use his limbs to walk, find food, and clothes for himself. A hunch-back female locksmith visits him and he gets attracted to her. Knowing she’s a hunch-back, his former life gets better off him sexually.
Samsa in Love is a queer story of a hunch-back human and a guy created from metamorphosis. This story might have taken too many subjects in 30–40 pages but it seems very pleasing and challenging to the mind.
