Book review

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

Kafka on the Shore by Japanese author Haruki Murakami is a captivating metaphysical

novel released in 2002. The story is set in 2000´s Japan and it takes the reader from Tokyo to
the island of Shikoku, as it follows the journey of 15-year-old boy Kafka Tamura and the
unusual pair of characters – strange old man Nakata and a young truck driver Hoshino.

The novel is structured around the story of 15-year-old boy who runs away from home
to escape the family curse and he names himself Kafka after his favourite author. He is
somehow connected to a man named Nakata, who is still damaged by a wartime accident and
has a strange ability to talk with cats. Kafka´s wandering brings him to the small private
library in Takamatsu, but he just comes closer to fulfilling his fate. After the odd incident,
Nakata feel the urge to find the entrance stone and comes across Hoshino, an ordinary young
truck driver, who agrees to help him on his quest.

Kafka on the Shore is full of metaphors, odd characters and events; cats can talk, fish
falling from the sky, ghosts, World War II. soldiers in mysterious forest. It has unique style
that combines popular culture elements, magical realism and it incorporates the subconscious
feelings. The book is one of the most vivid books I have ever read and I will never forget the
dream-like scenes and imagery portrayed in this book. The writing style attracted me from the
first chapter and I think it is perfect for readers who like unique characters and bizarre stories.

To sum it up, Kafka on the Shore is considered as of the Murakami's masterpieces

because of it´ s ability to draw the reader into this magical world. The thing that captivates the
reader’s attention is the hazy border between real and paranormal. It is entirely the reader´s
choice whether to believe in the magic or assume that the inexplicable events are just odd
coincidence.