This is an impossible question. You will get a different answer from people who have read the entire work. If you can get a peek at some text, just read it and see if it grabs you. Or, you could consult a reference librarian (they’re trained to answer these kinds of questions) and see if they can describe the qualities of a few of them to see if they’d fit your taste.
I loved 1Q84 but it’s definitely a huge time commitment. Norwegian Wood was also excellent. I think NW or The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles is a good starting point.
All of Murakami’s work deals in surrealism. If you’re hoping for a slow introduction to his style, Norwegian Wood is, IMO, the most accessible. Kafka is my favorite, though I read Wind-Up first myself and found it intriguing. 1Q84 is pretty hefty to start with, but I do recommend reading it if you like his style!
An author’s best work is not necessarily the best place to start. Sometimes it’s better to read some of lesser works to get a feel for their style and then you can appreciate their “best” works more.
I like to start at the beginning of an author’s career and then watch their works get better over time. Later works are almost always better than earlier works IMHO.
I bought and read quite a stack of Murakami books, but after reading I knew I would never re-read any of them, so I gave the stack, except one, to my eldest son. I kept the Windup Bird Chronicles. Does that mean that was the best? Not sure… but it sure was intriguing enough to probably re-read.
First book I ever read that got me hooked on him was A Wild Sheep Chase. My AP lit teacher recommended that book to me in high school as it’s the same one that got him hooked.
I loved Norwegian wood. But a friend told me Kafka by the shore is much better.
Thank you! I was thinking on starting on some of his books but didn’t know which ones to get first.
I liked The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles.
Thank you for the suggestion. Appreciate it!
This is an impossible question. You will get a different answer from people who have read the entire work. If you can get a peek at some text, just read it and see if it grabs you. Or, you could consult a reference librarian (they’re trained to answer these kinds of questions) and see if they can describe the qualities of a few of them to see if they’d fit your taste.
Thank you !
I loved 1Q84 but it’s definitely a huge time commitment. Norwegian Wood was also excellent. I think NW or The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles is a good starting point.
Thank you so much
No problem! Happy reading—Murakami is one of my favorites!
Kafka
Thank you!
@Maheswari you’re welcome. I think it’s a perfect intro into his work
@Linda thanks again. I faced a shelf full of his work and I just couldn’t decide which to start first.
Kafka On The Shore!
Thank you!
Kafka
Thank you!
All of Murakami’s work deals in surrealism. If you’re hoping for a slow introduction to his style, Norwegian Wood is, IMO, the most accessible. Kafka is my favorite, though I read Wind-Up first myself and found it intriguing. 1Q84 is pretty hefty to start with, but I do recommend reading it if you like his style!
Thank you so much!
Norwegian Wood and Wind Up Bird!
Thank you!
An author’s best work is not necessarily the best place to start. Sometimes it’s better to read some of lesser works to get a feel for their style and then you can appreciate their “best” works more.
+1 to this.
I like to start at the beginning of an author’s career and then watch their works get better over time. Later works are almost always better than earlier works IMHO.
Thank you for your suggestion. I do agree with you.
I bought and read quite a stack of Murakami books, but after reading I knew I would never re-read any of them, so I gave the stack, except one, to my eldest son. I kept the Windup Bird Chronicles. Does that mean that was the best? Not sure… but it sure was intriguing enough to probably re-read.
The Wind Up Chronicles seem to be a favorite. Thanks for the suggestion. Really appreciate it!
My absolute favorite is a short story he wrote called The Second Bakery Attack but I also loved Dance Dance Dance.
Thank you. Though I dont seem to notice these two yesterday at the bookstore. Will definitely keep an eye out. 🙂
The Second Bakery Attack is a short story in The Elephant Vanishes
@Pamela Oh! Thanks! Will look out for this.
I started with 1Q84 and loved it. Have others by him in my TBR list.
Thank you so much!
I started with Norwegian wood
That was also my first; nice, but I was not impressed. 🙂
Thank you for your suggestions!
He’s my favorite author, I absolutely loved ‘colorless tsukuru tazaki and his years of pilgrimage’ and ‘windup bird chronicles’
Thank you. I read a few pages of his book 1Q84 and liked his writing style. I would really love to read more of his books. Thanks for the suggestion!
I like “After Dark” a short story collection. Moody and atmospheric.
Thank you!
I also enjoyed After Dark! ?
Wind-up Bird Chronicle
Thank you !
Hard-boiled wonderland and the end of the world, Wind-up Bird Chronicle, A wild sheep chase.
Thank you!
Kafka on shore.
First book I ever read that got me hooked on him was A Wild Sheep Chase. My AP lit teacher recommended that book to me in high school as it’s the same one that got him hooked.