Men Without Women
by Haruki Murakamishort stories loneliness
Reviewed on: 15th March 2025.
“Men Without Women” is a collection of seven short stories on lonely men. Though the stories are all framed from the male perspective, and though Murakami doesn’t appear to be very kind in his portrayal of women, I think we can extrapolate the themes of loneliness and apply them to any person of any sex, gender, or sexual orientation. These stories are about the human condition, and the despair that comes from not being connected to others.
At a certain time, losing one woman means losing all women.
Drive My Car — A widower never confronted his late wife about her infidelity.
Yesterday — A college student meets the right person at the wrong time.
An Independent Organ — A respectful surgeon falls in love for the first time.
Cheherazade — An isolated man in need finds solace in his relationship with his caregiver.
Kino — A bar owner is in denial of the pain caused by his wife.
Samsa in Love — A critter wakes as a man and learns what it means to be human.
Men Without Women — A man learns that, for the third time, a past girlfriend has taken her life.