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calarco 's review for:
Kafka on the Shore
by Haruki Murakami
Surrealism, dreams, and cats—this more or less sums up Murakami’s [b:Kafka on the Shore|4929|Kafka on the Shore|Haruki Murakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429638085l/4929._SY75_.jpg|6191072]. Nearly every one of his books involves these elements, but this one in particular really does lean in.
Another quintessential Murakami trope featured in this novel includes a main character that passively accepts a series of increasingly peculiar events that unfold and meander into a moving plot that simply cannot be anticipated. Even when awake, the characters’ experiences are dream-like. What sets Kafka apart from other work though, is that Murakami seems to reflect on and even challenge this aspect of his writing style.
“You’re afraid of imagination. And even more afraid of dreams. Afraid of the responsibility the begins in dreams. But you have to sleep, and dreams are a part of sleep. When you’re awake you can suppress imagination. But you can’t suppress dreams.” (127)
There is a fine line between what can be controlled and what must simply be accepted when it comes to understanding our own inner identities. This story in particular is interesting in that the personalities of the two main characters could not be more different, yet as the story shifts back in forth along a dual storyline format, the boundaries of this difference become increasingly blurred. That said, I would argue that [b:Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World|10374|Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World|Haruki Murakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1399844477l/10374._SY75_.jpg|2531870] is a stronger Murakami dual story-lined narrative, but Kafka does hold its own.
Overall, even though there are familiar themes, it is truly a unique and compelling story. I was at the edge of my seat at a number of different moments while reading this book, and so if you are looking to get lost in a book, I definitely recommend Kafka on the Shore.
“Slowly, like a movie fadeout, the real world evaporates. I’m alone, inside the world of the story. My favorite feeling in the world.” (54)
Another quintessential Murakami trope featured in this novel includes a main character that passively accepts a series of increasingly peculiar events that unfold and meander into a moving plot that simply cannot be anticipated. Even when awake, the characters’ experiences are dream-like. What sets Kafka apart from other work though, is that Murakami seems to reflect on and even challenge this aspect of his writing style.
“You’re afraid of imagination. And even more afraid of dreams. Afraid of the responsibility the begins in dreams. But you have to sleep, and dreams are a part of sleep. When you’re awake you can suppress imagination. But you can’t suppress dreams.” (127)
There is a fine line between what can be controlled and what must simply be accepted when it comes to understanding our own inner identities. This story in particular is interesting in that the personalities of the two main characters could not be more different, yet as the story shifts back in forth along a dual storyline format, the boundaries of this difference become increasingly blurred. That said, I would argue that [b:Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World|10374|Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World|Haruki Murakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1399844477l/10374._SY75_.jpg|2531870] is a stronger Murakami dual story-lined narrative, but Kafka does hold its own.
Overall, even though there are familiar themes, it is truly a unique and compelling story. I was at the edge of my seat at a number of different moments while reading this book, and so if you are looking to get lost in a book, I definitely recommend Kafka on the Shore.
“Slowly, like a movie fadeout, the real world evaporates. I’m alone, inside the world of the story. My favorite feeling in the world.” (54)