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Men Without Women cover art

Men Without Women

Written by: Haruki Murakami, Philip Gabriel - translator, Ted Goossen - translator
Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne
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Publisher's Summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Including the story "Drive My Car” - now an Academy Award-nominated film - this collection from the internationally acclaimed author "examines what happens to characters without important women in their lives; it'll move you and confuse you and sometimes leave you with more questions than answers" (Barack Obama).

Across seven tales, Haruki Murakami brings his powers of observation to bear on the lives of men who, in their own ways, find themselves alone. Here are lovesick doctors, students, ex-boyfriends, actors, bartenders, and even Kafka’s Gregor Samsa, brought together to tell stories that speak to us all. In Men Without Women, Murakami has crafted another contemporary classic, marked by the same wry humor and pathos that have defined his entire body of work.

©2017 Haruki Murakami (P)2017 Random House Audio

What listeners say about Men Without Women

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Mixed Bag, Mostly Good

February 2022 | 4/5
Like many short story collections, there's standouts and fillers, and Men Without Women is the same. I'd give this a soft 4 - the stories are entertaining, and the standouts are great, especially the weird and fantastical.

The first story, 'Drive My Car' has a gentleman, who recently lost their license, and hires a female driver. Over the rides, the driver begins to remind him of his dead wife and they exchange stories from their past lives.

The second and third story may be related but it's not clear. These were mostly forgettable, along with the fourth.

'Scheherazade' is werid - a gentleman hiding out has weekly grocery deliveries. The delivery woman will sleep with him and tell stories - one day she mentions a past life as a lampray eel.

Story six is a play on Kafka's Metamorphosis - a bug wakes up to discover themselves in a human body.

'Men Without Women' is the final story and perhaps thesis; some men who lose a woman, lose all women.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent stories and beautiful narration

Stories are sensitive and witty, and narration almost lyrical. I listen to audible while taking a walk, and I found myself laughing, especially while listening to the second story.

It's was a perfect combination of beautiful writing and exceptional narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it!

I loved this book, there were two stories that really made me cry. It's amazing the way he describes the feelings and what is happening in someone's mind. Amazing.

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3 people found this helpful

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Depressing

Didn’t like the book at all. In general was very dark and depressing. Couldn’t bring myself to finish it. Closed it and returned the book.

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