Kafka on the Shore (Vintage International)

"Kafka on the Shore" was my first Murakami book. I picked it out of pure chance, with no expectations at all, as I didn't know much about the author or the novel. After reading it from end to end in just a couple days, I couldn't prevent myself from reading, one after another, nearly all of Murakami's books in the last two months. From the beginning, it captivated me in a way no book has in a long time. Sure this isn't a book for everyone, and with this I don't want to be elitist or say it requires a certain level of philosophical awareness or knowledge to enjoy it: on the contrary. It requires being able to open your mind and forget about constrains, just accept the story as it is being told to you. The book raises many intriguing questions and offers just a few ambiguous answers for them, and many point this as a "flaw", but in fact, it's the book main motive. This is an eastern tale, and if you're familiar with things such as Zen koans, you'll understand that the fact it doesn't provide the answers is not important, because the important thing here are the questions. What the questions do to you. What they stir, how they make you feel. If this book had stirred nothing inside me, I'd easily rate it three stars. Murakami's style is neat and simple, easy to read and beatiful at some times, but certainly not as breathtaking as that of, let's say, Mishima, just to compare to another modern Japanese writer. He builds a great main character in his own way but many other characters in the book seem to be "thematic constructs", just there to make a certain point, not feeling like live people at all. And like many others have pointed out, the female characters (and this applies to most of his work) are often unrealistic succubi, seeming projections of sexual imagination more than characters at all. If you can't stand any of this nor the idea of loose ends, or feel revolted at the mention of incest, read something else. However, the way I see it, art is nothing you can analyze so easily. You can't take part by part of this book technical aspects, rate them one to ten, then make an average, like if you were choosing which is the Car of the Year. Like the book itself says, sometimes it is an "imperfect" work which somehow touches you, while other "perfect" books you can admire, yet they really left you the same you were before reading them. You may fall in love with someone you hate. You may feel better in your old small crammed apartment than in a larger, new, beautiful house. I think this is a central key to understand Murakami and enjoy it: he's not trying to write "the perfect western novel". He negates such a thing may even exist with his way of writing, and proposes you an entirely different deal. A pretty good deal, if you ask me.

I usually like to start a book review with a brief summary of what I just read. On this occasion however I am not 100% sure on where, or how, I would begin to describe the events of this book. The book largely revolves around two key characters, Kafka Tamura and Mr Nakata, who each have unique journeys within the realm of magical realism that Murakami has become so well known for. Expect plenty of WTF, cats, sex and humour. Do not read this book expecting a neatly wrapped up story with a definitive conclusion to all of the plot lines. You will not get anywhere near this. What Murakami achieves through this however is that you finish the book with questions which are mulled over and can help develop a better understanding of the novel…even if you need to go and read some interpretations of this. 4 weeks after finishing this book I’m still pouring over some points which I didn’t immediately understand The strongest part of this novel is the character development. Each of the characters that you spend time with has an intricate backstory which shines through in each of their appearances. I learnt to love, despise, empathise and at times pity a number of the characters within this novel. Each one is a part of a wider narrative which intertwines with other areas of the book even if just in a passing moment. Murakami manages to craft a beautifully vivd depiction of both rural, and urban Japan. As someone who has never stepped foot in Japan I found myself envisioning all of the extreme beauty and brutal flaws of the polar opposite environments. I could interact with the smell and atmosphere presented in each location through the vivd and enthralling scene setting.. This is truly the mark of a great author. “We’re so caught up in our everyday lives that events of the past, like ancient stars that have burned out, are no longer in orbit in our minds” I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mind bender. If you like the idea of a surreal, beautiful and at times violent world in which a complex story develops, then this will be perfect for you. However, it isn’t a book for everyone. If you struggle to maintain an interest in long plots with the appearance of no direction then this might not be the book for you (although still give it a try, you might surprise yourself ). As I initially said, this book doesn’t really conclude but it takes you on the most interesting and unpredictable journey I’ve had in a long time. One of the only criticisms I have is that at times the author indulges too much in the sexual nature of the characters. This can feel like an unnecessary detail which adds little to the plot narrative. This sexual themes the book have the ability to make the reader uncomfortable, and this is likely what the author intended. Whilst not a complete problem, it may put some readers off. Similar books: The Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka The Stranger - Albert Camus American Gods - Neil Gaiman Wind Up Bird Chronicle - Hakuri Murakami 1Q84 - Hakuri Murakami Norweigen Wood - Hakuri Murakami Star Rating **** 4/5 Stars

Kafka on the Shore is a mesmerizing read—dreamlike, surreal, and deeply emotional. Haruki Murakami weaves together mystery, fate, and identity in a way that keeps you thinking long after you finish the book. The storytelling is strange in the best way, with rich symbolism, unforgettable characters, and a quiet sense of wonder throughout. It’s not a traditional novel, but if you enjoy thought-provoking fiction with depth and atmosphere, this book is a masterpiece. Highly recommend.

Even though the book itself is beautiful, I will be giving it a bad review because some of its pages were glued together, so they would tear when I opened them.

The book keeps me interested with the characters most of the time. Still having a lot of questions about the past of Miss Saeki, and the mission of Nakata but the book gave me a lot of reflection of our choices and it's impact on fate. Some things is just simply meant to be.

O que falar do Murakami. Te leva para dentro de cada cena com maestria tal que o livro entra nos sonhos. Descreve os personagens e seus mecanismos interiores de maneira crua e transparente - reflete nossos defeitos e qualidades. Soma-se a isso a aula de música clássica!

Another great Murakami book. Maybe not as good as the rat trilogy or TWUBC but definitely worth the time and money. Great world building, easy prose, interesting narrative.