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A review by jhuma
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The story revolves around two individuals – Kafka Tamura, a 15-year-old who runs away from his rich father and the life he is meant to lead if he lives with him; and Nakata, an intellectually impaired old man with the unique ability to talk to cats. As the story progresses, their lives become interconnected in a setting that is surreal and dreamlike, where fantasy and reality blend together, and where the boundaries between the two are often blurred.
I knew that this book would be unlike anything I had ever read before. I had heard the same about Murakami – from friends, celebrities, and strangers. They were right.
Writing this review is challenging because, to be completely honest, I am befuddled. My thoughts are in disarray. So, I will start easy and simple and hopefully try to keep it that way.
I loved the cast of characters – from the speaking cats of Nakano Ward to the wonderful Oshima. Each character that was introduced intrigued me and kept me glued to the book.
The world Murakami created in this book was another thing that kept me glued. Not unlike Marquez, Murakami also creates a setting for his characters that is mysterious and has a loose relationship between reality and fantasy. Its secrets are not completely privy to the reader even till the end. It can be challenging and frustrating at times to read a book like that, but Murakami does something preposterous in almost every chapter that makes me want to keep on reading. He held my attention throughout the book.
The plot is a hot but intriguing mess. I could easily identify that Murakami was a pantser because nobody, in a million years, can guess the many wild turns the story is going to take when they first start reading this book. However, I did wish that the book had at least a little more easily identifiable structure. If it did, I think I would have given it five stars.
It has a lot of wisdom in it, quite philosophical at times, and there are a lot of introspective reflections and discussions about nearly everything. It's not the type of book that you can read fast. It would be better enjoyed if it's read slowly, mulling over each word and sentence. There are a lot of metaphors too, and I am sure many of them went over my head.
If you enjoy thought-provoking books, you'll enjoy ‘Kafka on the Shore’.
I knew that this book would be unlike anything I had ever read before. I had heard the same about Murakami – from friends, celebrities, and strangers. They were right.
Writing this review is challenging because, to be completely honest, I am befuddled. My thoughts are in disarray. So, I will start easy and simple and hopefully try to keep it that way.
I loved the cast of characters – from the speaking cats of Nakano Ward to the wonderful Oshima. Each character that was introduced intrigued me and kept me glued to the book.
The world Murakami created in this book was another thing that kept me glued. Not unlike Marquez, Murakami also creates a setting for his characters that is mysterious and has a loose relationship between reality and fantasy. Its secrets are not completely privy to the reader even till the end. It can be challenging and frustrating at times to read a book like that, but Murakami does something preposterous in almost every chapter that makes me want to keep on reading. He held my attention throughout the book.
The plot is a hot but intriguing mess. I could easily identify that Murakami was a pantser because nobody, in a million years, can guess the many wild turns the story is going to take when they first start reading this book. However, I did wish that the book had at least a little more easily identifiable structure. If it did, I think I would have given it five stars.
It has a lot of wisdom in it, quite philosophical at times, and there are a lot of introspective reflections and discussions about nearly everything. It's not the type of book that you can read fast. It would be better enjoyed if it's read slowly, mulling over each word and sentence. There are a lot of metaphors too, and I am sure many of them went over my head.
If you enjoy thought-provoking books, you'll enjoy ‘Kafka on the Shore’.