Kafka on the Shore
Disclaimer: It’s going to be a long review as Haruki Murakami is my unsurpassed favorite writer.
I have read Men without women followed by Norwegian wood and Wild Sheep Chase. Kafka on the shore is my latest read by the author and I don’t think I have ever experienced anything like this before. The characters, plot, philosophies and metaphors in every Murakami’s book, everything is outlandish.
Genre: Novel, Magical Realism, Fantasy Fiction
Author: Haruki Murakami
Kafka Tamura runs away from home at fifteen, under the shadow of his father’s dark prophecy. The ageing Nakata, tracker of loss cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. As their parallel odysseys unravel, cats converse with people, fish tumble from the sky, a ghost-like pimp deploys a Hegel-spouting girl of the night; a forest harbors soldiers apparently un-aged since WW II. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle – one of many which combine to create an elegant and dreamlike masterpiece.
When I started reading this book I had no idea what a joyous and mysterious ride it would be. I was already aware of the marvelous storytelling by Murakami. It is such a joy to read story alternatively narrating Kafka’s life in odd chapters and Nakata’s life in even chapter. Kafka trying to escape while Nakata being a dimwit (might be relatable to so many of you, including me) provides an edgy story ahead. Not just Kafka and Nakata, but every character has enthralling existence in the story. Murakami personifying Johnnie Walker and Captain Sanders is queer yet so arousing (I never imagined someone characterizing them). There are many absurd incidents like conversing with cat or fishes raining from the above, makes the plot more dreamlike.
The whole experience of reading Murakami is mesmerizing. The way he describes every set up is magical. Kafka residing in library is my best-loved thing in the book (goals for me, yay!). In the end, spoilers, the place where Kafka meets his mother is an abstract concept. The place is so effortlessly narrated by him, it keeps building in your mind with each line. There are lot many things he highlights. I loved how Oshima led his/her life, not getting caught in gender role or Hoshina giving up his job in a go to follow his heart. I was spellbound when Miss Saeki and Kafka converse in the end, it felt like a necessity for Kafka and us.
“ If you remember me, then I don't care if everyone else forgets.” - Miss Saeki, Kafka on the Shore
When I finished reading, I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions, about the book, myself, life. Murakami offers you much to think about and much more to take with you. He has an impact on you which stays longer and hopefully lifetime. There is no moving on from Murakami. As soon as you finish one, you will be yearning for more, just like pani puri (I’ll be here to recommend you more, don’t worry!). I have said so much still it feels so unjustified to what a far out experience it is, definitely I cannot contain it in words!
If you haven’t read him yet, (please do, you’re surely missing out on something), let me tell you, he’s a master of open ending. I positively hope that someday I could get to read Kafka on the Shore part 2 (I know it’s next to impossible but let me be little optimistic). PS: I have read English translation, but if you could, go for original version, original is always better. But if you’re language bound like me, then English definitely works.











