Close your eyes. Empty your mind. Let go of your natural instinct of trying to make sense of everything. And listen to the soothing voices of Sean Barret and Oliver Le Sueur.
When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.
On paper, Kafka on the Shore is a story about the fantastic journey of a 15-year old boy, who runs away from home. But really, like all good art, Kafka on the Shore cannot be explained. I believe, it is one of these books, where each reader gets a different experience and will have to extract their own personal interpretation. Early in the book, there is a beautiful monologue about a sandstorm. From that moment I was sold.
I’ve seen Kafka on the Shore compared to a dream, which is quite fitting. Murakami transforms the reader to an out-of-this-world state of mind, where absurdities are accepted, and surreal scenes flicker in and out between each other the same way sequences in a dream follow each other, seemingly without any connections.
There are connections, of course, but these are not obvious and the author doesn’t offer any solutions. Sometimes when reading, I got a glimpse of a meaning, in the same way you get a glimpse of the title of an old movie you are desperately trying to remember; it is almost there, just on the edge of consciousness – and then it is gone.
To get the full-on literary transcendence experience, I believe it is necessary to let go. For someone like me, who has rationality and logic ingrained in my core, that is easier said than done. Even as I write this, I want to enforce structure onto the novel, to classify, to interpret. However, that would very much be against the spirit of Murakami’s writing.
In the end, I managed the letting go part pretty well. Murakami throws in rain showers of fish and leeches, talking cats, sex scenes between a teenage-boy and an older woman (who may or may not be his mother), not to mention a rather grotesque cat slaughtering. And I accepted it (didn’t necessarily enjoy, but accepted). In other contexts than Murakami’s dreamworld, I might have had a different take on such scenes.
Kafka on the Shore is more than a masterclass in creative storytelling. It tackles existential questions such as determinism, afterlife and taking charge of and defining your own meaning of life. I have a feeling, that Murakami and I would disagree about some of these questions in real life, but that didn’t prevent me from enjoying the ride.
I wasn’t equally mesmerised through all 19 hours of the audiobook. Some parts were dragging. Mostly, I thoroughly enjoyed the philosophical musings about life, art and music, but occasionally it flipped over and became pretentious. I’ve always found, there is an extremely fine line between brilliance and pretence.
As the story was nearing its ‘conclusion’ I was desperate NOT to reach the end. I wanted to stay in this dreamworld, which could surprise me with its absurdity, fill my head with thoughts about small and large aspects of life and appeal to my subconscious self rather than to my rational ego.
Kafka on the Shore cannot be described, it needs to be experienced. If you like your novels to provide answers and tie up loose ends, don’t go there. I am ready for more.
This was my first contribution to Japanese Literature Challenge 13, which runs through Q1 2020. Check out Dolce Bellezza for further information.
Title: Kafka on the Shore [2002]
Author: Haruki Murakami
Format: Audiobook, narrated by Sean Barret and Oliver Le Sueur
Genre: Japanese Fiction, Magical Realism
I was just lamenting that I enjoy open-ended stories when a friend didn’t like the ending of a book because it wasn’t tied up well. I could imagine enjoying this one quite a bit. You did a wonderful job with this review, and I imagine it was difficult to write!
I think the appealing thing about the author not providing all the answers is, that the reader can use his/her own imagination. Having said that, some stories lend themselves better than others to this open-endedness. I would be quite annoyed reading a crime novel and never be told, who was the culprit 😉 . Thanks so much – it was difficult to write. Trying to explain the plot in this one, was just never going to happen!
I’ve somehow managed to not read any Murakami yet; I really must give his work a shot. Great review!
Thanks! You probably should give Murakami a try, I suspect his writing style might work for you. On the other hand, some people say he is a bit of a marmite writer, so there is a chance you end up strongly disliking him, rather than the opposite 🙂 .
I’ll be sure to report back if and when I do 😊
Fantastic review! I’m sure I’m quite ready for something like this as I do like order to my books. lol
Thanks Nicki! 😀 Haha, I know what you mean about order, I am a bit like that, but I still enjoyed Murakami very much!
Brilliant review! And I was very tempted. But it’s not the right time for me to tackle this right now. One day I hope!
Thanks so much! 😀 I think you are right, you probably have to be in the right mood and not too stressed out (I read it in the Christmas break) to get the full benefit of Murakami’s writing. I hope you will get to it at some point though, it really is a unique story and writing style.
I love, love, love your review! I felt like we have a kindred spirit in the “wanting to understand it fully” bit, alongside the “embrace the magical unknowing” bit. This was my first Murakami book, and it remains my favorite after reading them all. At first I was so frustrated in not knowing exactly what he meant (I still don’t get the giant eel thing at the end), but when I read a quote of his that readers should be wide open to possibility, I was comforted. We can each have different interpretations and not be “wrong”. It sound like we both feel the same way about Kafka on the Shore. Thank you for a truly wonderful review.
Awww, thanks so much! 😀 It is interesting that both of us ended up loving it, despite of having an urge to understand everything. I think it must be Murakami’s writing – it somehow draws you in and you can’t help enjoying it. Good to hear, that Murakami himself says, that readers should be open to possibility. There were many things, which in my view could be interpreted in different ways. Any suggestions to, which one should be my next Marakami? Thanks so much for stopping by and in particular for hosting the Japanese Literature Challenge 13, which is a great initiative. I hope to join in with my review of either Convenience Store Woman or Kitchen.
The one I read after Kafka was The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, which I loved. But, maybe you’re ready for something a little shorter, or less enigmatic. After Dark was good, and Norwegian Wood was the novel which launched his popularity in the first place.
I look forward to your thoughts on Convenience Store Woman and Kitchen. Loved them both.
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is a great suggestion, which I might follow. I also feel weirdly compelled by A Wild Sheep Chase; I read a great review of it and I just love that title!
What an utterly fascinating and insightful chronicle of your listening experience, Stargazer💜 I’m equally impressed that you chose the audio format. Excellent, just excellent.
Actually, the audioformat was strangely fitting for this dreamlike story. And the two narrators did and excellent job, which definitely contributed to my enjoyment. Thonks Jonetta, I am so glad, you liked the review! 😊
This (and his other books that are super surrealistic) is what I think of when I think of Murakami. I just finished reading (and reviewing) Norwegian Wood, and while I liked it, it was nothing like the other books of his I’ve read. It was the most down-to-earth of the bunch. I read KotS a number of years ago…it might be time to revisit it.
That is interesting. I’ve heard many people saying they love Norwegian Wood, I didn’t realise it was a different style than Kafka on the Shore. Not that I mind down-to-earth stories, actually I quite like them 😉 but probably it isn’t what you would expect from Murakami. I will be over to check out your review shortly!
I like down-to-earth stories, too, but I kept waiting for the typical Murakami surrealism to step in and it never did. I almost feel like I should reread it at some point now that my expectations are different.
I see exactly, what you mean. I find, that expectations will often affect your opinion of a book. Should I ever attempt Norwegian Wood, I would now know what to expect, which is probably a good thing in this case.
Hmm… you make this sound so appealing that I’m almost tempted. But then I remember the oath I swore after I finished the 1000 pages of 1Q84 to never put myself through that again! 😉 I think I find it harder to let go than you and I kept wanting the book to make sense, which I think goes against the whole point of Murakami. But some of his writing is wonderful and I still vividly remember some of the images he put in my head. Maybe one day… maybe…
Yeah, based on the length, I doubt, I will ever attempt 1Q84! In comparison, Kafka on the Shore looks like a little pamphlet 😉 . Apparently, Norwegian Wood is quite different in terms of style, the magical realism is completely abscent. Perhaps, that might suit you better or perhaps you should just stick to your decision. When it comes to authors, I am not one for second chances. Harsh, but life is just too short!
Fantastic review that coincides exactly with how I felt with this one too. It was my first Murakami and I was amazed by the subjects he touches upon and how he tells them without making you question ANYTHING. You really feel like the world Kafka lives in is as real as the one we’re in. I also loved how almost nothing really gets answered and the kid’s journey is one that somehow… we all go through at some point hahahah
Thanks! 😀 This was my first Murakami as well and I was not disappointed! It really is quite an achievement, how Murakami can have many of us rationalists eating out of his hand. I think he just lures us in with his mesmerising writing. Haha, that journey – that was something else, but of course there were many universal themes (leeches and talking cats aside…).
Really lovely review! I love your description of this as being like a dream and how it’s better to let go when reading this (I get what you mean, sometimes you need to switch off and just let a story wash over you)
Aww, thanks so much! Probably, if you try to analyse too much when reading a book like Kafka on the Shore, your head might feel like exploding or at least, your enjoyment will diminish. Exactly, ‘let the story wash over your soul’ that is a great way of expressing it!
You’re welcome! That makes sense!
Love your review. I’ve just finished Kafka myself, and still trying to grasp its full meaning in my head, though I think I already know deep down that there’s no “one true answer” to anything, and that it’s best to let things be.
I wonder, also, if listening to the audiobook changes the experience somewhat, compared to reading the words on paper. It’s such a different way of experiencing a book.
Aww, thanks so much! 😀 I doubt there is a “true answer” which is kind of nice – each reader can choose his or her own interpretation. But I guess it is our natural instinct to look for meaning and answers, which makes it difficult just to let go.
Now, I love audiobooks and I think the format does change the experience. If the narrator is good, I find it adds to my enjoyment, because the narrator really makes the characters come alive. But some people don’t get along with audiobooks at all, so I guess it is very individual. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will write a review of Kafka!
This was my quarantine read..Just finished it last night! . Murakami blew my mind! The metaphor ahhhgggg!!
I am glad you enjoyed it! I agree, it was pretty special and different from other novels I’ve read. Thanks for stopping by 😀
Thanx for the review. its nice to hear from other readers perspective.
My first Murakami book was Sputnik Sweetheart, which was I believe short and sweet.I’ve always wanted to get more into Murakami’s work and this has definitely been at the top of my list. I will definitely want to read it even more now that I have read your review of it.
A short Murakami novel – I didn’t know such a thing existed! 😉 I have noted it down and will look have a look on Goodreads. Kafka on the Shore was actually my first Murakami, but I’m sure it won’t be my last. Hope you will enjoy it, if you decide to go ahead.
Yeah, it’s around 220 pages, so it’s definitely much shorter than most of his others. It has a bit of a detective fiction vibe to it. I definitely recommend it.
Sounds good – I like detective novels! Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂