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headliner's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love how Murakami let us embark the world through his works; one of it is Kafka on the Shore. The explanation written in detail drowns me as I read every sentence of it. Specifically when it comes to Kafka who wanders around the forest; it feels dreamy and fresh. Also when it shows how magical library is. On the other hand, there is Nakata - way older than the fifteen Kafka, who has the capability to talk with cats but not able to read.
The book is divided into two different perspectives; thru the odd numbers, we will meet Kafka who ran away from home; and the even numbers, we will meet Nakata who become the victim and witness how cruel the war is. Mind you there are also a lot of other characters around them and better keep it on mind because some of them would be beyond your imaginaton.
I found it interesting as I noticed the trivia stories of "Kafka on the Shore" and its relation to the plot. Well, you may enter a new world with full of questions after reading it. Just like me.
The book is divided into two different perspectives; thru the odd numbers, we will meet Kafka who ran away from home; and the even numbers, we will meet Nakata who become the victim and witness how cruel the war is. Mind you there are also a lot of other characters around them and better keep it on mind because some of them would be beyond your imaginaton.
I found it interesting as I noticed the trivia stories of "Kafka on the Shore" and its relation to the plot. Well, you may enter a new world with full of questions after reading it. Just like me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Incest, Violence, and Rape
liambaker19's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sachi_reads's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Confusing, otherworldly and reflective. What am I meant for? A story of individuals that are intertwined like connected souls across every universe.
ranamarkz's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.75
meese_'s review
4.0
This book was not what I was expecting it to be. I'd gone into this with the pretext of murakami's "interesting" writing and certainly questionable parts of this story. Fortunately I was surprised with a very interesting story of finding purpose, forgiveness and overcoming trauma (although it did have the questionable shit and cringey writing at times).
I've finished this book with a few unanswered questions, which I believe is fitting as I believe this is how the main character feels at the end.
You will have to get used to Murakami's writing of women in this book. However once you begin to understand that these are the thoughts of a 15 year old with heavy parental issues, especially a complex about his mother, it begins to become more understandable and bearable. It's still gross but unfortunately that does seem to be the point.
I very much enjoyed the strangeness and absurdity of this story. It creates a certain charm and creates a sort of magical feel to the events that take place.
I've finished this book with a few unanswered questions, which I believe is fitting as I believe this is how the main character feels at the end.
You will have to get used to Murakami's writing of women in this book. However once you begin to understand that these are the thoughts of a 15 year old with heavy parental issues, especially a complex about his mother, it begins to become more understandable and bearable. It's still gross but unfortunately that does seem to be the point.
I very much enjoyed the strangeness and absurdity of this story. It creates a certain charm and creates a sort of magical feel to the events that take place.
inner_room's review
5.0
Permanently ended. Marked 15 years of his life. I wished I had something like this too.
The whole thing is just so raw. Rage at his father. Insatiable obsession with his mother. Guilt towards his sister. To have someone so exclusive and unique to you, and only you, no one else in the world... It's a burden we take, we keep, it's a responsibility we hold for that other in our life.
I can't imagine if we were all living like Kafka, what the world today would be like. More mad, for sure. But throughout the whole book, I couldn't help but feel tender towards Kafka, because as readers we knew so much going on in that world that were out of his hands; and that in the forest, his courage to venture towards himself internally, I feel is really the best he could have done, and what any of us could have done.
The question is: Why were we not like him, when we were 15?
Why was I not like him, when I was 15?
I ran away from home also, but not till 18. But I know that feeling: that your school's abandoned you, your family's abandoned you, the world has abandoned you and not even cared. You tried to build a new life on your own, but you know that you know oh so little. You always wonder if you're going down the right path. You always wonder if you're making the right choice. You always wonder, if you're living life the right way, and who will confirm that for you?
The story's tenderness is that Kafka had his [Mother] to tell him that, to comfort him. He has her. He's always had her. And I'm sure many of us are so envious of that.
Your shadow may be halved. But your heart is full.
The whole thing is just so raw. Rage at his father. Insatiable obsession with his mother. Guilt towards his sister. To have someone so exclusive and unique to you, and only you, no one else in the world... It's a burden we take, we keep, it's a responsibility we hold for that other in our life.
I can't imagine if we were all living like Kafka, what the world today would be like. More mad, for sure. But throughout the whole book, I couldn't help but feel tender towards Kafka, because as readers we knew so much going on in that world that were out of his hands; and that in the forest, his courage to venture towards himself internally, I feel is really the best he could have done, and what any of us could have done.
The question is: Why were we not like him, when we were 15?
Why was I not like him, when I was 15?
I ran away from home also, but not till 18. But I know that feeling: that your school's abandoned you, your family's abandoned you, the world has abandoned you and not even cared. You tried to build a new life on your own, but you know that you know oh so little. You always wonder if you're going down the right path. You always wonder if you're making the right choice. You always wonder, if you're living life the right way, and who will confirm that for you?
The story's tenderness is that Kafka had his [Mother] to tell him that, to comfort him. He has her. He's always had her. And I'm sure many of us are so envious of that.
Your shadow may be halved. But your heart is full.
tlee0626's review
5.0
this is my first murakami book i've read and it's pretty difficult to put into the words how intriguing and confusing (in a good way) his writing and this story was. i caught myself a couple of times daydreaming/self-reflecting about the concepts shared between the two different main characters and how they played a part in their intertwined experiences. i'm excited to read more from this author!
letter_planet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Kafka on the shore is one of murakamis most 'murakami-ish' novels. It combines his characters, grounded in realism with a fantastical, surreal edge that makes this coming of age story interesting and engaging to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Blood