by Haruki Murakami
Published 2011
The haunting, enigmatic love story that turned Murakami into a literary superstar in Japan, and is his bestselling title throughout the world Autumn 1969, and soon I would be 20. When he hears her favourite Beatles song, Toru Watanabe recalls his first love Naoko, the girlfriend of his best friend Kizuki. Immediately he is transported back almost twenty years to his student days in Tokyo, adrift in a world of uneasy friendships, casual sex, passion, loss and desire – to a time when an impetuous young woman called Midori marches into his life and he has to choose between the future and the past. ‘Such is the exquisite, gossamer construction of Murakami’s writing that everything he chooses to describe trembles with symbolic possibility’ Guardian 'Poignant, romantic and hopeless, it beautifully encapsulates the heartbreak and loss of faith' Sunday Times 'A masterly novel' New York Times
These are AI narrators you can listen to with your own EPUB on ElevenLabs or Fish Audio. How does it work?
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
The protagonist, Toru Watanabe, recounts his past with a reflective, slightly melancholic tone, observing the world with a detached yet deeply felt perspective.
British · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“Ryan's 'velvety, intimate and soothing' tone, designed for 'emotional monologues and soothing reflections,' perfectly captures Toru's reflective, melancholic, and deeply felt perspective.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“Kyle's 'calm, intimate tone' is ideal for the narrator's measured delivery and personal reading experience, aligning with Toru's detached yet intimate observations.”
Indian · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“Tarun's 'smooth and calm delivery' with an 'intimate mood' suits the narrator's calm, measured, and intimate recounting of his past.”
Toru's enigmatic first love, her voice should convey a quiet sadness and a delicate, almost ethereal quality, reflecting her 'haunting' nature.
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Lisa's 'soft, whispery, intimate, and hypnotic' voice perfectly embodies Naoko's quiet sadness, delicate, ethereal, and haunting nature, creating a sense of closeness.”
British · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Whispery
“Clara's 'calm, whisper-close, soft, breathy, soothing tones' are an excellent match for Naoko's gentle, mysterious, and delicate quality, conveying a quiet sadness.”
Us Southern · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“Danielle's 'warm, calm, emotionally expressive' voice with a 'gentle tone and intimate narration' could convey Naoko's sadness and delicate nature, though less ethereal than others.”
An impetuous and lively young woman whose voice should convey brightness, wit, and a strong, independent spirit, contrasting with Naoko's demeanor.
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Modulated
“Juliet's 'bright, dynamic, lively, and emotionally rich' voice is an ideal match for Midori's impetuous, energetic, and expressive personality.”
British · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“Jaju's 'distinctive young female voice with a bright, energetic tone' and 'emotionally expressive quality' perfectly suits Midori's lively, witty, and independent spirit.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Casual
“Alpivaa's 'bright and engaging, unforgettable and energetic' description aligns well with Midori's lively, strong, and confident demeanor.”