Haruki Murakami paints a surreal journey into the inner workings of the human soul
Guided by enigmatic forces and a haunting prophecy, Kafka Tamura flees his father’s oppressive shadow and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Nakata, an elderly man with a mysterious past, sets out on his own quest. As their paths converge, the two must confront their deepest fears and desires in a world where dreams and reality intertwine.
Geek Rate: Sky god Worthy (5 out of 5 stars). “Kafka on the Shore” is a masterful work of literature that captivates with its lyrical prose, intricate storytelling, and profound insights into the human condition. It is a book that lingers in the mind long after the final chapter, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who ventures into its surreal and enchanting world.
“Kafka on the Shore” by Haruki Murakami is a mesmerizing journey through the labyrinth of the human psyche, blending magical realism with profound philosophical inquiry. Set in contemporary Japan, the novel weaves together the narratives of two protagonists, Kafka Tamura, a teenage boy fleeing his father’s curse, and Nakata, an elderly man with a unique ability to communicate with cats.
You sit at the edge of the world, I am in a crater that’s no more.
Words without letters
Standing in the shadow of the door.
Murakami’s prose is spellbinding, effortlessly transporting readers into a world where dreams and reality converge. Murakami’s details are so vivid transporting us in contemporary Japan, especially on the countryside: “The train I’m on, going out of town, is nearly empty this time of the morning, but the platforms on the other side are packed with junior and senior high school kids in summer uniforms, schoolbags slung across their shoulders. All heading to school. Not me, though. I’m alone, going in the opposite direction. ” It reminds me of my Kamakura train ride and walking on its streets during afternoons.
Engaging and sometimes morbid, the novel’s exploration of identity, loneliness, and the search for meaning resonates deeply, inviting introspection long after the final page is turned. I especially enjoyed that debate between the #MeToo girls and Oshima: “Narrow minds devoid of imagination. Intolerance, theories cut off from reality, empty terminology, usurped ideals, inflexible systems. Those are the things that really frighten me. What I absolutely fear and loathe. Of course it’s important to know what’s right and what’s wrong. Individual errors in judgment can usually be corrected. As long as you have the courage to admit mistakes, things can be turned around. But intolerant, narrow minds with no imagination are like parasites that transform the host, change form, and continue to thrive. They’re a lost cause.”
Kafka sits in a chair by the shore,
Thinking of the pendulum that moves the world, it seems.
When your heart is closed,
The shadow of the unmoving Sphinx,
Becomes a knife that pierces your dreams.
There are plenty of thrilling moments in the novel including the appearance of the young girl every night gazing at the “Kafka on the Shore” painting. Subplots are tied neatly with each other (thunder, stone in temple). Murakami mentions composers and directors he likes, connecting it to the story which seemed forced and unnecessary. It makes the novel longer just to justify the development of characters such as Hoshino. Beethoven’s life is fascinating but I think there’s no need to include it expansively on the book. Murakami wants to discuss the composer’s life as part of the novel’s theme. But those are some of the unnecessary parts which makes it a bore to read. When Hoshino was waiting for the stone to close itself after Nakata died there was a full blast details of what he ate. Seriously?
“Am I in love with Miss Saeki when she was fifteen? Or with the real, fifty-something Miss Saeki upstairs? I don’t know anymore. The boundary line separating the two has started to waver, to fade, and I can’t focus. And that confuses me. ”
The characters are intricately drawn, each harboring secrets and grappling with personal demons. As their paths intertwine, the narrative unfolds with a sense of inevitability, yet remains unpredictable and enigmatic until the very end. I could relate with Kafka in some degree (library and gym!) but that a runaway could meet be so lucky: meeting a friendly librarian that would lead him to a cabin in the woods plus that friendly girl in the bus Sakura, all these circumstances shatter the magic of the story.
“I was happy to go to some place there was no time.”
One of the most compelling aspects of “Kafka on the Shore” is its rich tapestry of symbolism and metaphor. There are talking cats, mysterious woods and characters (Johnny Walker and Colonel Sanders), and references to literature such as “Tale of Genji.” Each element serves as a mirror reflecting the inner workings of the human soul, inviting readers to ponder the nature of existence and the interconnectedness of all things.
Reignell Francisco
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