Reviews

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

a_pocketful_of_literature's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Dnf

l0rna's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book I'm sure is like a lovely expensive red wine. However, I don't enjoy red wine. Whether my palette is unrefined or if it's simply a matter of taste is unclear. Regardless, this book just wasn't made for me or my tiny brain. I loved Nakata with all my heart. 

marcird's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed the story, although it is totally and completely bizarre. There are several explicit sexual references (if my memory serves me correctly) but it was a great read.

lunchmoneymomo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

the hollowness of us all, no matter the state of being. ½ point off for the oedipal arrangements tho i know it can’t be avoided but STILL.

kdsterling's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.75

wkbryant2021's review against another edition

5.0

A smooth subtle dive into another dimension

uma_gueraau's review against another edition

4.0

3,8. De los libros que más he tardado en leer. La parte de los gatos tan horrible que casi me crea un bloqueo lector. Al final vas almenos entendiendo que pasa aunque nada tiene mucho sentido. Me ha gustado mucho, y no me esperaba que tuviese esa fantasía de mitología griega por la cara.

nill's review against another edition

2.0

[2.5/5 STARS] I'm surprised by how much I've grown to dislike a 15-year-old, something I never expected, but here we are…

I really like the eerie aura the book had and the writing style. Also, the book having two different points of view, each with a distinct style, were refreshing. But sadly, this was it. I didn’t really like the characters, nor I resonated with them. Although I pretty much liked Crow, Nakata and Sakura, and Oshima & Hoshino a little bit, the others didn’t really mean anything to me. Not to mention the objectifying women, the terrible representation of feminism

Spoiler

and the r.pe.

The prophecy was also out of pocket. If you ask me whether I'd consider picking up another Murakami book in the future, my response would be a definite no. Regrettably, I couldn’t like the book at all. Nonetheless, it did manage to satisfy my curiosity about Murakami and his pen.

Plus I've made a promise to myself to never complete long books I don't enjoy ever again.

ahalsnad's review against another edition

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Each character is interesting and complexly wonderful. The characters build throughout their journey for the better, striving for better clarity. The characters I was particularly interested in were Nakata, Hoshino, Oshima, and Kafka, in that order. Most of the concepts are abstract, and Murakami does not offer any explanation as to why/how. I guess that is the beauty of the book; it gives one the freedom to imagine, question, and confuse oneself. It contains philosophy, mythology, art, music & books, gives every character a depth that I kept hanging on to know more. But, there was always disappointment waiting every time I thought 'Ah! now I will get the answer'.
The journey was wonderful, even though it was without definitive ending/explanations. After all, that is how life is, isn't it?

sarasguriro123's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75