Kafka on the Shore Paperback – 6 Oct. 2005

If you are happy with ambiguity, unanswered riddles and subplots that fizzle without obvious reason then this is for you, otherwise, steer clear.Any book with “Kafka” in the title is likely to be a bit Kafkaesque, and so this is. The backbone of the plot is an Odipeal prophecy; the child kills his dad and then sleeps with his mum and sister. The reader is taken on a journey of two intertwining storylines with much contradicting evidence of how the prophecy is going. Along the way, there is plenty of surreal humour, philosophical reflections, observations of the banal made interesting (and vice versa), riddles (many of which remain unsolved), and events that don’t move the story but still feel worthwhile.I thoroughly enjoyed it and will undoubtedly spend the next few weeks pointlessly trying to find the actual meaning. I suspect Murakami enjoys teasing his readers, mixing messages alongside surreal fun, or burying the meaning so deep it is unretrievable. I feel I have been played with, but it doesn’t matter; it provoked enormous interest in me. The enjoyment is in the chase, the fact I don’t feel I have made a catch seems incidental.The unanswered riddles are likely to annoy some readers. The reader is often offered two equally implausible answers/solutions to a riddle with both being possible within this kafkaesque world, and maybe both are simultaneously true in a Schrodinger’s cat sort of way.I had one gripe. Each character spoke with a distinctive voice, all synced perfectly with the context. That is all except one (Hoshino) who is oddly the character Murakami appears to want to be the most normal. To me he seemed fake; like a bad actor in a good film. Maybe it is a translation issue or another Murakami tease that I misunderstood, but it bothered me; every time Hoshino spoke I winced. In all other respects a full 5 stars.Many readers will be irritated by the unanswered questions. Murakami often insists you accept things as they are, even if nonsensical; you won’t get a better explanation other than “that is the way it is.” I loved it and will likely reread it, but I will likely be no wiser. Did the Odipeal prophecy play out? I think it does, and yet I don’t think so, or maybe it does and doesn’t at the same time...Many reviewers suggest, just go with it and enjoy the ride; sound advice.

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 understandThe 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 KafkaThe Stranger - Albert CamusAmerican Gods - Neil GaimanWind Up Bird Chronicle - Hakuri Murakami1Q84 - Hakuri MurakamiNorweigen Wood - Hakuri MurakamiStar Rating**** 4/5 Stars

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami is an absolutely brilliant novel which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It deserved the highest praise by being awarded a literacy prize. From start to end, you are really absorbed in the novel and really cannot wait longer as to what sequence of events will happen next. The novel maintains high interest with reader, as it contains a well built up pace. Haruki Murakami has proved his class and genius as one of the greatest novelist to embrace his name within the literacy world. His style of writing and his simplified language is what makes this novel a pleasure to read.The novel gives the reader an insight in the Japanese culture narrated in a superb and compelling story. The story runs in parallel with two key characters which is runaway teenager Kafka and a mentally deranged old man Nakata who is illiterate, but has an unique ability to communicate with cats. But they are key suspects for a murder committed. The key questions are they the real murderers. It is you as a reader to find out the answer. That is the general gist of the story, without giving too much information away.The novel is beautifully descriptive about the main landscapes of Japan. It gives the reader a real flavour of what it is like living in Japan. You have the mountains, shore, beautiful buildings, huge highways and lively and ultra modern cities such as Tokyo. It feels like you are in Japan. The story is absolutely superb and enjoyable to read and you will be hooked to it for long hours. This is probably one of the best books I rate highly for my favourite books for this year. What I like about the novel is it styles, the way the characters are strongly represented and main plot. If you love and appreciate a good story, read Kafka on the Shore. I strongly recommend it.