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Poorva Parashar asked this question about Kafka on the Shore:
WHY is this book so loved? I mean, I didn't gain anything out of it. I'm not asking this as an insult. I genuinely want to know what the special thing about this book is.
Jeanne I loved this book. I could see where some people might not like it -- the cats as metaphors for Jews for example could be a turn off. I get that. But …moreI loved this book. I could see where some people might not like it -- the cats as metaphors for Jews for example could be a turn off. I get that. But it is still a meditation on good and evil and invokes Japanese demons in such a delightful way. The father who is set on destroying the world with the soul stealing flute is a wonderful character very much like the evil brother in law in wind up bird who is going to be another fascist type Hitler type figure unless he is killed in both the shadow world and the real world. Remind me of Mitchell and of Howl's Moving Castle. The black goop people who are evil is the same as the black goop inside everyone in Murakami that is activated by violence. I mean there is so much there. I don't at all see it as intellectual masturbation. I found it intensely fun to read and delightful. But if you don't like it, don't read it I guess.(less)
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Kafka on the Shore
by Haruki Murakami
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