44 pages • 1 hour read
Haruki MurakamiColorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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
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 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.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
HL800LBook Details
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Japanese Literature
Realistic Fiction
Relationships: Friendship
Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Natural World: Appearance & Reality
Grief / Death
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Love / Sexuality
Asian Literature