“The dead have their own world, and the living have theirs. All the dead do is wait. They wait for a soul to come from the living world to take them to the other side.”
Once you're a Murakami fan, you're a fan for life, and his books truly stand as a genre of their own!
It's often said that those new to Murakami should begin with Norwegian Wood since it’s more subtle compared to his other works. However, when you’re not aware of that suggestion, you just pick books as they come—like I did in 2021 when I chose Kafka on the Shore. That turned out to be a fantastic decision, and I had an incredible experience immersing myself in the story.
Murakami’s imagination is wild and dark, filled with ideas that are hard to even picture. His stories can really mess with your mind and pull you in so completely that you can’t help but become a "Murakami fan"—and that’s how I feel too. It’s also worth mentioning that Murakami’s books need your full attention. You can’t read them while doing other things. To truly enjoy his writing, you need to focus on it completely.
Kafka on the Shore is a captivating and complex novel that mixes reality with surreal, dream-like elements. It follows two characters who seem unrelated at first: Kafka Tamura, a 15-year-old boy who runs away from home to escape his father’s curse and figure out who he really is, and Nakata, an older man with the mind of a child who has lost much of his memory. As the story goes on, their paths connect in surprising ways, touching on themes of fate, identity, and the subconscious.
Kafka’s journey is one of self-discovery, set against the peaceful setting of a library that plays a key role in the story. Along the way, he meets unusual characters like Oshima, a librarian, and Sakura, a woman who becomes important to his journey.
Meanwhile, Nakata’s story takes on a supernatural twist as he goes on a journey of his own that eventually links up with Kafka’s in surprising ways. Nakata is a simple, kind man who can talk to cats and enters a strange, dream-like world.
The novel explores memory, the subconscious, and the nature of reality. Murakami has a unique way of blending the ordinary with the extraordinary, and this book is a perfect example of that. Through strong visuals and amazing storytelling, he looks at big ideas about fate, the mysterious forces of the world, and finding yourself.
Murakami’s writing style in Kafka on the Shore is smooth and poetic, with moments of deep thinking and reflection. The world he creates feels like a dream, with characters and events that sometimes don't make sense or seem taboo, which makes it both confusing and interesting.
However, some readers may find the book hard to follow. The story isn’t told in a straight line, and it mixes the real with the fantastical, which can leave readers feeling uncertain at times. But for those who are open to its strange nature, it’s a deeply rewarding read!
In the end, Kafka on the Shore is a beautifully written novel that explores themes like identity, fate, and the subconscious. It’s a surreal journey both through the mind and the world, and while it can be hard to follow, it’s thought-provoking and unforgettable. Whether you're a long-time Murakami fan or just discovering him, this book is a fascinating look at what it means to be human.
The best quote from the book that I’d choose is:
“If you remember me, then I don't care if everyone else forgets.”
AS: Happy Reading!😀
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