Order of Haruki Murakami's books

Haruki Murakami is one of the most influential contemporary writers in Japanese and world literature. His style combines the realistic with the dreamlike, with lonely characters, obsessed with music, literature and the mystery of existence. Often, His stories include surreal elements, references to pop culture and plots where the everyday is intertwined with the inexplicable.

His first work was published in 1979, and since then has built a unique literary universe, with novels that can be read independently but sometimes share recurring characters and themes.

Next, I leave you The order of Haruki Murakami's books according to their publication.

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📚 List of Haruki Murakami books in chronological order

The Rat Trilogy in Order

1. Listen to the song of the wind (1979)

It is Murakami's first novel and the introduction to the so-called «The Rat Trilogy»In this story, we follow a nameless narrator and his friend "Rata", two young people who spend the summer between bars and conversations about life. It is a short novel, influenced by American literature and with a melancholic and minimalist tone.

2. Pinball 1973 (1980)

Second installment of the «The Rat Trilogy»Here, the protagonist follows his path in Tokyo while remembering his youth and the relationship with his friend "the Rat." The story focuses on his obsession with a pinball machine, symbolizing the passage of time and nostalgia.

3. The Wild Sheep Hunt (1982)

It is the novel that closes the Rat trilogy and the first to establish the surrealist style characteristic of Murakami. Here, the protagonist embarks on a quest to find a ram with special powers, leading him into a story of mystery, loneliness and fantastical elements.

Other books by Haruki Murakami

4. The End of the World and a Ruthless Wonderland (1985)

One of Murakami's most complex novels, in which he develops two parallel stories: one set in a futuristic Tokyo and another in a town surrounded by walls. It mixes thriller with fantasy, exploring themes such as identity and the human mind.

5. Tokyo Blues (Norwegian Wood) (1987)

The novel that brought him worldwide fame. Unlike his previous works, It's a more realistic story, without fantastic elements. It tells the story of Toru Watanabe, a young university student who remembers his youth marked by love and loss. With a strong emotional charge, it is a tribute to youth and melancholy.

6. Dance, Dance, Dance (1988)

This novel takes up the protagonist of The Wild Sheep HuntIn it, she returns to a mysterious hotel in search of answers, facing a world of mystery and loneliness. It is a novel that speaks about human connection in an indifferent world.

7. South of the Border, West of the Sun (1992)

A story of love and nostalgia. It follows Hajime, a married man who reunites with a childhood sweetheart, leading him to question his life and happiness. It is one of Murakami's most intimate novels.

8. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles (1994)

One of Murakami's most ambitious books. An ordinary man becomes embroiled in a mystery after his wife disappears, leading him to discover a series of strange events and enigmatic characters. With a fragmented narrative and multiple layers of meaning, it is one of his most acclaimed novels.

9. Sputnik, my love (1999)

It tells the story of a teacher in love with his friend Sumire, who inexplicably disappears on a Greek island. With a melancholic tone, the story deals with unrequited love and loneliness.

10. Kafka on the Shore (2002)

One of Murakami's most iconic novels. It tells the story of Kafka Tamura, a young man who runs away from home, and Nakata, an old man with special abilities. Their lives intertwine in a story full of mystery, dreams and cultural references.

11. After Dark (2004)

A short novel that takes place over a single night in Tokyo. We follow Mari, a young woman who wanders around the city and meets different characters. It is a minimalist story that explores urban loneliness.

12. 1Q84 (2009)

Murakami's most extensive work, divided into three volumes. It transports us to an alternative Tokyo in 1984, where reality unfolds. With references to 1984 Orwell's novel, the story follows Aomame and Tengo, two characters whose lives converge in a world filled with conspiracies and fantastical elements.

13. The Colorless Boy's Years of Pilgrimage (2013)

An introspective story about Tsukuru Tazaki, a man who revisits his past to understand why his teenage friends rejected him. It is a novel about memory, identity and loss.

14. The Death of the Commander (2017)

Divided into two volumes, it follows the story of a painter who moves to a house in the mountains and discovers a painting titled The death of the commander. Soon, a series of strange events begin to occur, taking the story into the realm of magical realism and mystery.

15. The city and its uncertain walls (2023)

His most recent novel. While maintaining Murakami's characteristic tone, this story expands his universe with an introspective tale about the passage of time and the fragility of memory.

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📖 In what order should you read Murakami's books?

To start, I'll leave you with a great video from Néstor in which he gives you his opinion on how to read this incredible author.

I really tell you that Haruki Murakami's books They do not need to be read in a specific order., as most of them are independent stories. However, if you want to follow a thematic line, you can opt for these approaches:

Step 1: The perfect starting point

Start your journey with “Tokyo Blues” (Norwegian Wood). This novel is the ideal gateway to Murakami’s universe for several reasons:

• It is accessible and captivating from the first pages.
• Introduces recurring themes in Murakami's work
• It offers a more realistic narrative than his later works.

Step 2: Delving into the Murakami style

Once you've gotten familiar with Murakami's voice, it's time to delve a little deeper. I recommend continuing with:

1. «The years of pilgrimage of the colorless boy»
2. «The Death of the Commander» (Books 1 and 2)

These novels will allow you to gradually explore the author's most characteristic elements.

Step 3: Dive into surrealism

Now that you are more comfortable with Murakami's style, it's time to dive into his most iconic work:

• «Kafka on the shore»

This novel is considered by many to be Murakami's masterpiece, combining magical realism with a complex and fascinating narrative.

Alternative routes

If you prefer a different path, consider these options:

• For lovers of short stories: «Men without women»
• For the most adventurous: It starts directly with “1Q84”
• To know your roots: «The Wild Sheep Hunt»

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Remember, There is no “correct” way to read MurakamiThe important thing is to enjoy the journey and let yourself be carried away by his unique prose. Are you ready to begin your adventure in the world of Haruki Murakami?

Happy reading! 📚✨