Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami l Summary & Study Guide

by BookRags

This study guide includes the following sections: Plot Summary, Chapter Summaries & Analysis, Characters, Objects/Places, Themes, Style, Quotes, and Topics for Discussion.

Genres: Fiction

Nook

First published September 7, 2011

Reviews

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical Murakami. 3 seemingly diverse stories delicately and slowly being weaved into a whole large picture altogether. I could feel and breathe the forest that Kafka explored, feel Nakata's pain, and feel every single emotion running through the teacher's mind on the day of the incident. not halfway through yet, but really really love the book already.

[Chaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Charlie Parker and Salvador Dali combined their visions into words– Murakami would be their child.

[Col. Lecter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surreal. Bizarre even. Whenever I pick up a translation to read, I can't help wondering if I haven't lost something to it. I don't know Japanese so I can't even go "nicely done Philip Gabriel!! ". That said, it was the page turner they promised it would be. There are, of course, two aspects when it comes to the writing. One is dreaming up the story. The other, putting pen to paper. I believe that a translated work is always re-written in its entirety and for which the credit - authorship - if you will, should go entirely to the translator. It really must be even tougher, at some level, when you think about it. You have to present the entire novel in a new language without losing the integrity of the original. I thought this here translation was done in fairly simple language. I am not saying that as a compliment though - may be you cannot write a "page turner" if the writing is too complicated - debatable now, depending on who you ask. Even so, I quite enjoyed some of the metaphors. Although brilliantly structured and edited, it was a tad too long for comfort - at times tested my patience even, but it was engrossing, thought provoking and a satisfying read as far as I am concerned. I am happy I picked it up. Makes me want to read a few more reviews, write-ups and what-have-yous to study & understand a little more about the book, this being my first Murakami and all. Here's looking forward to the next one, some time soon I hope!.

[Karen Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most exciting book I've read since 'The Hobbit'! The imagery and emotional highs and lows sent me on such a journey, everything around me melted away!

It was like eating a wonderful meal that was satisfying but didn't make me too full!!

Murakami has a way of writing that can put me in a trance-like state that is a special experience.

[Eliza Mathews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully written, but is this book strange for the sake of being strange? My first Murakami book and I'm not sure where I will brave another!

[Elizabeth Filis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore is an intricate emotional puzzle, one that reveals deeper truths the more you sit with it. For me, this book was about abandonment as a recurring wound, repeated across lifetimes.

My own interpretation is that Miss Saeki, frozen in grief after the tragic death of her young lover during the university riots, later gives birth to Kafka, who is the reincarnation of that very lover. Unable to cope with the unbearable memory of being left behind she abandons him just as she once felt abandoned when her young love died. It’s not out of cruelty, but as if she is passing on her wound ensuring he carries the same pain she could never escape.

The novel asks: What happens to pain that goes unhealed? It lingers, it loops, it reincarnates. And through Kafka and Miss Saeki, we witness the emotional unresolved love and grief and eventually, the forgiveness that sets them both free.

A deeply moving, strange, and unforgettable book.

[Mhd Sattam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surreal journey of fate, dreams, and strange occurrences, this novel from Murakami blends reality and the fantastical seamlessly. It’s filled with his trademark oddities—a talking cat, a metaphysical storm—that make it both mind-bending and unforgettably unique.

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it the same as Kafka on the shore?

[Jill]

Excellent as all Murakami's books are!

[Stacy Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to give this book five stars, I was entirely enchanted with its dream like feel, movements of place and time, and overall character development. However, I felt it got a little too dream like towards the end, and pieces of the story began to float into the ether for me.

[Robert Gard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plenty of intrigue along the way, but too little pay-off to make the journey worthwhile.

[Yazzbuzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

stunning and mind bending!

[Tricia Giovannetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so disappointed when the story finished and i so look forward to discussing it in out reading group :)

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend for the very interesting characters, their lives, music.books,philosophy.
Extremely complex but surely worthwhile .

[Jacob]

I am really starting to dig the author's style of writing, and his stories of self discovery.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5.

[Astrid Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read.