Kafka on the Shore
Ratings640
Average rating4
read until mid-chapter 17
the more i read this book the more i didn't like it. thought it was going to be a super interesting read especially with the WWII tie in. the characters in the book were all so two-dimensional. you would read about ‘kafka' doing things but not really how his internal monologue was developing throughout the story. nakata was a more interesting character due to his disability that had something to do with the incident on the hill. that incident was probably the most interesting part about the book. maybe i would've liked the plot and characters more but the journey was definitely not worth getting to the destination.
the cat torturing scene was the last straw. i started it and skipped a few pages but i genuinely didn't care what happened to these characters or where the story was going. oops, sorry. maybe i'll try reading another murakami novel in the future, but this book has kind deterred me from reading more of his work. i guess time will tell!
I've been trying to finish this book for two years now, and I haven't been able to finish it yet. I had to leave it halfway read because of how painful it was to read. I feel like the book tries to be too philosophical and deep, while adding characters and descriptions that are completely unnecessary.
Long story short, I got bored.
Super cool book, steeps you in 2 dream-like lives that are drawn to each other...then the book becomes half about Kafka Tomura's underaged Oedipal ‘curse' and I just wasn't into that. Hated 15% of this book because of that. The rest is very cool though. Just could really do without that themes. They aren't interesting.
Merged review:
Super cool book, steeps you in 2 dream-like lives that are drawn to each other...then the book becomes half about Kafka Tomura's underaged Oedipal ‘curse' and I just wasn't into that. Hated 15% of this book because of that. The rest is very cool though. Just could really do without that themes. They aren't interesting.
I rarely reread books, but I've been in a Murakami mood lately and was drawn back to this one, which was the second of his novels that I read, and the first really surreal one. Kafka on the Shore tells the story of a young student who runs away from his home to live in a library in the seaside city of Takamatsu, and is the closest thing to a beach read that Murakami has written. Kafka's story is interwoven with that of Nakata, an elderly man who was mentally handicapped after an accident (or attack?) he suffered as a child. I didn't fully understand the book when I first read it, and I don't fully understand it now. Themes from Greek mythology and western literature are melded with weird metaphysics and I don't even know what else to create a novel that, like all of Murakami's great works, is just as much a tone poem as a narrative story. Honestly, I find the lack of clear answers to be uniquely liberating, which I why I come back to Murakami again and again. I seriously doubt this will be my last time reading Kafka on the Shore.
“If you remember me, then I don't care if everyone else forgets.”
“Lost opportunities, lost possibilities, feelings we can never get back. That's part of what it means to be alive. But inside our heads - at least that's where I imagine it - there's a little room where we store those memories. A room like the stacks in this library. And to understand the workings of our own heart we have to keep on making new reference cards. We have to dust things off every once in awhile, let in fresh air, change the water in the flower vases. In other words, you'll live forever in your own private library.”
“And once the storm is over, you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won't even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about.”
“In everybody's life there's a point of no return. And in a very few cases, a point where you can't go forward anymore. And when we reach that point, all we can do is quietly accept the fact. That's how we survive.”
Trigger Warning: If animal cruelty/abuse makes you squeamish then I highly recommend finding a summary of chapter 16 that just hits the key points if you decide to read it. Even as someone who is not a highly visual reader I found this chapter grotesque.
I immensely enjoyed this novel, but having said that there are parts of it that I loathed. I loved the magical realism and how seamlessly it was woven into the story. There's something about the writing and how surreal things are that sucked me in and kept me turning page after page. I enjoyed the abstraction of reality and surprisingly enjoyed that the puzzle is left up to one's own interpretation for the most part.
But on the other end of the spectrum there are parts of this novel where I rolled my eyes, visibly cringed and wondered if I was even reading the same author. There are scene's that go into an absurd level of detail, often very awkward or crude, detail. Some of the characters feel more like vessels to spit out philosophy than they do actual people or are simply tools for the plot and feel paper thin. The biggest thing though is definitely the way sexuality and the commentary around it is written. The writing of this book is damn near lyrical, until it comes to sexuality and women and the jarring crudeness of that contrast sticks out like a sore thumb.
I hate the notion of "Its great if you just ignore x, y, and z", but that's legitimately how I felt about this. It is what it is. 4 Nakata's out of 5.
I picked this one up at the library to celebrate Banned Books Month. I've read a bit of Murakami in the past, so I expected some weirdness, and I was right to expect it. This book is an Oedipal myth, and it gets very mythy with talking cats, personality displacement, and portals to pocket dimensions. I couldn't see the exact reason why it was banned, but probably </spoiler>statutory sex scenes with people who may be mother/son</spoiler> but it could also be the fact that it features a trans man who is particularly nuanced and treated like a human being by basically every character. You just never know with book banners.
My husband often asks me if I'm liking whatever I'm reading, and I often found that questions hard to answer with this one. This book is profoundly uncomfortable and occasionally horrific. It's also Murakami, so there's a great deal I probably need four or five re-reads to interpret. Did I like it? Kind of? When I wasn't horrified? It's hard to explain. I had similar feelings after 1Q84. I like reading Murakami, though, because it really makes my literary interpreter brain kick into gear. Even when I don't understand points of the story, I enjoy thinking about them and why they are there. This book made me think about Japanese civilians in WWII, Greek Mythology, classical music, poetry, libraries as memories, memories as libraries, why people help others, capitalism, philosophy, and lots more, so it felt worth my time. That said, definitely check out some trigger warnings before reading this one.
As my first foray into Murakami's world, “Kafka on the Shore” proved to be an intriguing, if occasionally perplexing, read. This 500-page novel is a character-driven narrative that weaves together two parallel storylines, creating a tapestry of the real and the fantastical.
Murakami's writing style is undeniably unique - a blend of the weird, the imaginative, and the comforting. The author crafts a diverse cast of characters, each contributing significantly to the unfolding story. The dual narrative structure, following two distinct characters, adds depth to the tale, gradually revealing unexpected connections.
However, as a newcomer to Murakami's work, I found the story challenging to follow at times. The book touches on some dark and taboo subjects, which might catch some readers off guard. There were also moments where the portrayal of women felt objectifying, though I'd need to read more of Murakami's work to determine if this is a pattern.
Despite occasional lulls in the 500-page journey, the compelling narrative kept me engaged. The ending, while open to interpretation, left me craving more closure. This open-endedness, while thought-provoking, may not satisfy readers who prefer more concrete resolutions.
“Kafka on the Shore” is a book that likely rewards multiple readings, with layers of meaning to unpack. While I plan to revisit it in the future, I would caution against making this your first Murakami experience. It's a good and interesting read, but its complexity and unconventional structure might be better appreciated after familiarizing oneself with Murakami's style through his other works.
In conclusion, “Kafka on the Shore” offers a unique, often bizarre literary journey. It's a book that will make you think, occasionally puzzle you, but ultimately leave an indelible impression. For readers willing to embrace the unconventional, it promises a rich, if sometimes challenging, experience.
Loved it. But it's downright weird and hard to describe. Definitely a book that I want to reread.
A twisted yet beautiful tale of lost souls, mysterious journeys, and a search for meaning in a world full of wonder
I consider Murakami to be one of the recent greatest authors. I have read two of his books earlier, ‘Norwegian Wood' and ‘South of the border, West of the Sun' and both these books stayed with me for a very long time. When I finally completed reading Kafka on the Shore, I knew this book would stay with me for a very long time, if not for the entirety.
This book is a tale of a 15 year old runaway boy, a 50 year old woman and 80 year old man, all of them in search of their lost part, essentially their souls. I don't want to mention the plot of the story because the plot converges and diverges every chapter. But here's what I am going to say. The writing is immaculate. Throughout this book, you feel your stomach being churned for its twisted nature especially in the initial chapters but when you get to know what transpires in these characters and in this world that Murakami created, you see the bigger picture for its dream like. This book is magical and you will have different answers every time you think about it.
I suggest this book for people who have already read tons of books prior and can overlook the diabolical stuff and can see beyond. Also, do not expect to make complete sense out of every chapter. Murakami in an interview said that he deliberately wrote Kafka this way. It has many riddles within it and leaves it to the reader to make their own solutions. So yeah. Read it surely to experience the magic of Murakami's writing!
Kafka on the Shore is unlike any novel I've ever read. Murakami's incredible writing, his frequent shifts from melancholic poetry to absurdist realism, had me submerged in so many different emotions throughout. The dynamic between Kafka's world and Nakata's was also beautiful–though they and their respective supporting characters never meet, I felt as if they had known each other for a long, long time.
Murakami, through the various characters and their interactions, asks the question, “what do dreams and memories mean?” The philosophical aspect of the novel was deeply provocative, prompting me to question my own beliefs about my own self and the metaphysical. The conversations between Kafka and Oshima seemed more like Murakami asking me questions, offering answers, and contemplating over his own thoughts.
Kafka on the Shore has had a large impact on me. From the characters' perspectives on their everyday lives to the experiences which they find themselves going through, I've found myself thinking about the novel even while I wasn't reading it. Kafka on the Shore has certainly sparked a love for Murakami's writing, and I'm excited to read more of his work.
Thank you, Haruki Murakami, and Evynn <3
Man this is a long read. Glad I had the week to read a lot. Picked this for Japan context building but also because Murakami is hyped. I didn't get a lot of parts, especially the ending. I guess there was no profound ending to it. But the book and its few characters did make me feel calm and free. I am slowly getting pulled towards that slow life, each day.
Wow. Just didn't want to put it down. There were some disturbing references but the outlandish nature and thought provoking situations made the book addictive. Loved it and will definitely reread for theory checking in the future.
There were parts and concepts that I found super interesting and intriguing and certain other parts that I found extremely difficult to digest. I do like Murakami's magic realism.
Like all of Murakami's books, there's an uncomfortable level of how young female characters are sexualised and this book is definitely more on the uncomfy end with its plot points, but I guess with its surrealist tone it still sort of works and is an entertaining read.
The first book since I've came back to reading consistently since I was a kid that I can confidently call a masterpiece. There's a lot to unpack, but I can basically summarize it by saying Murakami's writing is wonderful, and surreal, in a way I haven't felt by most things. It felt like going into the psyche of someone's mind. I also couldn't have imagined a better ending, when so far, endings of books I've read have been underwhelming. I'll definitely read more Murakami very soon.
Merged review:
The first book since I've came back to reading consistently since I was a kid that I can confidently call a masterpiece. There's a lot to unpack, but I can basically summarize it by saying Murakami's writing is wonderful, and surreal, in a way I haven't felt by most things. It felt like going into the psyche of someone's mind. I also couldn't have imagined a better ending, when so far, endings of books I've read have been underwhelming. I'll definitely read more Murakami very soon.
Sad story. Really pulls at the heartstrings on a level. Enjoyed it. A bit of slipping between alternate dimensions going on (like in 1Q84).
Inizio scrivendo che questo libro andrebbe vietato ai minori perché contiene scene di violenza sugli animali quindi ne sconsiglio la lettura a chi è sensibile alla questione.
A parte questo, un capolavoro per scrittura e scorrevolezza. Anche se secondo me le parti di cui sopra non erano molto necessarie ed eliminarle non avrebbe cambiato granché nel libro e avrebbe potuto essere accessibile a un pubblico ancora più ampio.
A very strong work from Murakami marred by an absurd amount of incest. Despite incest related complications, Murakami still weaves a compelling narrative with some shockingly progressive views for his time.
Don't know why, but I can't give anything less than 5. Story didn't make sense yet it made sense somehow, strangely made me connect with characters very deeply. Would love to read it again... Brilliant !