This is one of celebrated Japanese author Haruki Murakami's best sellers. The story centres around a young boy from downtown Tokyo who decides to run away after a strange experience. The other central character is an old man who can talk to cats. We follow both their lives seperately for while, and then gradually the relation between the two becomes more and more apparent, though not for the reasons you might expect.
I think one of the reasons the story is so gripping is that the characters seem so real, despite the strange and outlandish situations they find themselves in. There are so many twists and turns and you don't really know where any of it is going until the very end. The locations are beautifully described and create a fantastic and intriguing world.
I would highly recommend this book - it may sound like a bizarre plot but it's a rewarding read.
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Love this book and love Murakami. Kafka on the Shore's ending was completely otherworldly (in ever sense of the word!). I read it when I was about 15 and it was one of those books that completely blew my mind.
ReplyDeleteWhat actually found with Murakami is that the characters feel both real and... hyperreal. It's like one dimension of them is very carefully and cleverly depicted, but they never really get beyond that one dimension, detailed as it is. I always have the sensation when I'm reading the books that they're more like metaphors (a very Murakami thing to say!). Certainly most of his books have running themes and characters who could be the same. Kafka on the Shore is a little different because the protagonist is a teenage boy and not a jaded 30-something.
As you can tell I'm really into this subject ;)
If you haven't already you should read some more of his books. Another author, Taichi Yamada, creates a similar atmosphere in his novels (which are very good, but not quite in the same league)
I'm just about to start The Wind-up Bird Chronicle. I tried reading A Wild Sheep Chase a couple of years ago but I couldn't get into it! It was just that bit too crazy. I'd like to try again one day, though - it certainly was intriguing, just very difficult to follow!
ReplyDeleteMust check out Yamada too.
Ah, the Wind-up Bird Chronicle is probably his best book ever. It's certainly the best book I've ever read. Hope you enjoy it!
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