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Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage

A journey of self-discovery and lost connections

Haruki Murakami author Philip Gabriel translator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Vintage Publishing

Published:2nd Jul '15

Should be back in stock very soon

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage cover

The story follows Tsukuru Tazaki, whose life changes when his friends inexplicably cut ties. In Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, he seeks answers and connection.

In Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, Haruki Murakami explores the complexities of friendship and the deep emotional scars that can result from sudden loss. The protagonist, Tsukuru Tazaki, is marked by the unique absence of color in his last name, a stark contrast to his four close friends, each of whom bears a name imbued with vivid hues. This distinction becomes symbolic of his isolation when, without warning, his friends sever ties with him, leaving Tsukuru adrift and struggling to understand the reasons behind their rejection.

As Tsukuru navigates through life, he finds himself unable to forge meaningful connections, haunted by the ghost of his past and the friendships that once defined him. The narrative unfolds as he meets Sara, a woman who challenges him to confront the unresolved questions surrounding his past. With her encouragement, Tsukuru embarks on a journey of self-discovery, seeking to understand the events that led to his friends' abrupt decision and his own emotional detachment.

Through a blend of introspective storytelling and rich symbolism, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the enduring impact of friendship. Murakami's signature style invites readers to ponder the nature of connection and the colors that define our lives, even when they seem absent.

A naturalistic coming-of-age story… sprinkled with strange images and written in a hauntingly mournful key * Guardian *
[Murakmi’s] elegant, frugal prose creates a tale of courage and hope as Tsukuru tries to unlock the secrets of his past * Stylist *
Critics have variously likened Murakami to Raymond Carver, Raymond Chandler, Arthur C Clarke, Don DeLillo, Philip K Dick, Bret Easton Ellis and Thomas Pynchon – a roster so ill-assorted to suggest he is in fact an original * New York Times *
A rich and even brilliant piece of work… Genuinely resonant and satisfying -- James Walton * Spectator *
This is a book for both the new and experienced reader....[it] reveals another side of Murakami, one not so easy to pin down. Incurably restive, ambiguous and valiantly struggling toward a new level of maturation -- Patti Smith * New York Times *

  • Long-listed for Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2015 (UK)
  • Long-listed for I.M.P.A.C. Dublin Award 2016 (UK)

ISBN: 9780099590378

Dimensions: 197mm x 128mm x 19mm

Weight: 215g

304 pages