Bookworm

[#1]

As an avid reader, its surprises me that I am just beginning to read the fascinating books of Haruki Murakami. This critically-acclaimed Japanese writer and translator has well over a dozen  fiction and non-fiction works, along with a slew of short stories that have been translated into more than 40 languages.

Murakami’s work is surreal and often humorous. He captures the inner spirit of his characters through metaphors, mystical references and a host of oddities that happen through the course of their day.

In this novel, we follow the journey of Kafka Tamura, a 15-year-old-runaway. The road he travels winds through a series of curious interactions and events. We meet cats that converse with humans, streets that rain fish and a love story that transcends time.

His journey intersects with Nakata, a slow-witted old man whose own reality is a jumble of bizarre and strange experiences. His intelligence was marred when, as a boy, he was on a school mushroom-picking expedition, and all of the children mysteriously blacked out. Each began to arise, unharmed, except for Nakata. When he finally awoke, his intelligence was flawed—and he discovered he could speak with cats.

Kafka previews bizarre happening and interactions with the oft-repeated line, “Somewhere I don’t know about, something weird is happening to me.” The story twists and weaves as our main character inexplicably makes his way to a library that holds a key in his quest to find answers—or even the questions. Here he meets the beguiling Miss Saeki whose past inner-self connects with Kafka.

Kafka on the Shore is a mesmerizing story full of imagery and metaphors, and yet for all its symbolism, it’s a story that intrigues…and a book you’ll find yourself reading long into the night.

By the Bed

The Wind-up Bird Chronicle

by Haruki Murakami

                                            Read about Haruki Murakami.

[#2]

You know, I have had a copy of this book sitting on my shelf for years. I think I started it as a college student and lost interest after the first chapter or so. I'm going to give it another go... it actually sounds really unusual and interesting!

[#3]

Does the character's name -- Kafka -- have any connection to the author Kafka? It almost sounds as though some of the surreal aspects of the book are like certain elements in The Metamorphosis. Regardless, thanks for sharing this with us. It sounds wonderful and well worth following up on. 

[#4]

I don't think there's any connection (at least, any that was obvious to me). The protagonist gives himself that name after running away from home near the beginning of the story, and I think he just picks it because he likes Kafka.

[#5]

I guess that's connection enough. Does the protagonist actually say that he likes Kafka?