Kafka on the Shore
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If you do not like the story
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I've already finished it.although I love Murakami's short stories, I didn't like it at all.
Lale wrote: "I've already finished it.although I love Murakami's short stories, I didn't like it at all."I agree with you there. I am considering reading Abe Kobo's work but seeing it described online as "Kafkaesque", I hesitate.
Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) wrote: "I am considering reading Abe Kobo's work but seeing it described online as "Kafkaesque", I hesitate. "Not sure I would describe Abe's stuff as Kafkaeqsue, but if you thought Murakami had aimless writing, you're probably not going to like Abe.
I like the other Murakami books I've read (The Rat tetraology, or however that's spelled). I shouldn't research online before I read; everyone reacts differently to any given piece of work, based on their own experience, background etc--what I call their "filter." One man's cieling is another man's floor.
Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) wrote: "I like the other Murakami books I've read (The Rat tetraology, or however that's spelled). I shouldn't research online before I read; everyone reacts differently to any given piece of work, based o..."I read Kobo Abe's woman in the dunes. It's not comparable with Kafka... I liked it.
Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) wrote: "I like the other Murakami books I've read (The Rat tetraology, or however that's spelled). I shouldn't research online before I read; everyone reacts differently to any given piece of work, based o..."I read Kobo Abe's woman in the dunes. It's not comparable with Kafka... I liked it.
OK, I'll give it a shot.
YOU Know? I think Murakami has included his story of myths in force. Kafka... has not become ripe yet.
Marlon wrote: "I think that Kafka On The Shore is the most intensely weird of Murakami's books. All of his fiction has a dream-like quality but this one was vividly and jarringly strange compared to his other bo..."I hadn't thought about a commentary on consumerism in the weird characters like Mr Peanut etc. That's a point...but the thing is, the whole "who killed the artist" thread just kind of comes to nothing. One would believe the police would be a bit more active than that? The "creature from another dimension" thing may be something from Japanese mythology that I missed due to lack of references.
Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) wrote: "Lale wrote: "I've already finished it.although I love Murakami's short stories, I didn't like it at all."I agree with you there. I am considering reading Abe Kobo's work but seeing it described o..."
Did you link Kobo's work to Kafka on the Shore by saying 'Kafkaesque'? I think by Kafkaesque it references Franz Kafka's work, which is why Kafka on the Shore is named so. I could be wrong here, but I think thats what it means.
I just finished reading Kafka on the shore, it was my first Murakami book. I found it strange and intriguing at the same time. I wish there was more we knew about Nakata and the accident that happened to him in the war. But anyhow, I like Murakamis writing style - a lot of it seemed a tad philosophical, but I enjoyed the references to other artists,poets and history. Can you recommend other books by him I could try. Id like to read something else by him as a lot of people seem to believe this is not one of his best works.
Sana wrote: "I just finished reading Kafka on the shore, it was my first Murakami book. I found it strange and intriguing at the same time. I wish there was more we knew about Nakata and the accident that hap..."I started at the beginning with Hear the Wind Sing, Pinball 73 etc. You can find them online if you look hard. Murakami is said to be "embarassed" by them, but I found they hung around inside my head after I'd read them.
I haven't read The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle yet, but people I know rave about it.
Emma wrote: "Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) wrote: "Lale wrote: "I've already finished it.although I love Murakami's short stories, I didn't like it at all."I agree with you there. I am considering reading..."
It wasn't me that originally used the term "kafkaesque" to describe it. I read the description online, written by someone else. I have nothing against Kafka's work, but when a modern reader uses the term "kafkaesque" they usually mean something else. I couldn't possibly link Kobo's work to anything, since I haven't read it yet, as you will see if you re-read my post.
Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) wrote: "Sana wrote: "I just finished reading Kafka on the shore, it was my first Murakami book. I found it strange and intriguing at the same time. I wish there was more we knew about Nakata and the acci..."Thanks Ill look for those
I'm currently reading this, and I've got about 100 pages left. So far, I absolutely love it, but as always with Murakami, you have to read to the very last sentence to really get a sense of how you feel about it. I've only read a few of his books, but so far this is much more practical compared to "After Dark". I put that book down and had no idea what happened. I just finished "Norwegian Wood", and it was clear that it had a similar ending in that the reader is supposed to be left with a continuous image of what should happen or maybe could have happened. He's not one for definitive endings.Any thoughts on my next Murakami? I was going to try "1Q84" next, but I just finished a few Game of Thrones books and Infinite Jest, so I'm not sure I'm ready to tackle another marathon book. I might try "Wind-Up Bird Chronicle".
One of my students read 1Q84 and complained that it is rather a trudge. I suppose it depends on the reader (the young lady in question is in no sense a deep thinker) but perhaps if you're not in the mood for a brick-thick tome, you could start with the Wind Up Bird. And let us know what you think! I'm afraid Kafka on the Shore put me off Murakami for just a bit, so I don't know what I'll choose when the urge strikes me again.
For those who like Murakami's writing, but are a bit put off by the rather directionless narratives of Kafka or Wind-up Bird, give Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World a try. Or A Wild Sheep Chase. Both are early works, from before he settled down into his current (final?) style.
Yes, the Wild Sheep Chase is the final novel in the Rat series; but without at least the one just before it, you'll be a bit lost. I started with Wild Sheep and had to backtrack because I was ???
Murakami is most definitely is a unique writer. I read an interview with him and he admits some things simply don't have a practical reason but instead he writes it as if it's a dream, and we all know how dreams can be. We wake up scratching our head asking ourselves, "what the heck was that about?" So far I read (in this order) Norwegian Wood, End of the World, and Kafka. I loved End of the World as it was fresh and surreal. Kafka was too similar (ref to skulls, etc.) to End of the World si I didn't get into it as much. His books leave me a bit baffled but his writing brings me a sense of surreal peace. Kind of like stress-free reading time. I'm taking a break from Murakami as I have other books in queue but what is the next one that you recommend? Thx!
I actually really enjoyed this book. I could not put it down. It's actually one of my favorite works from him. When I read it I kept thinking...it has small elements of other literary genres, even Sci-Fi/Fantasy. It was a quick read and in an interesting way it reminded me of One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Wonderful to hear that Roberto! I am reading "One Hundred Years of Solitude" very soon, and I absolutely loved Kafka.
Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) wrote: "Lale wrote: "I've already finished it.although I love Murakami's short stories, I didn't like it at all."I agree with you there. I am considering reading Abe Kobo's work but seeing it described o..."
He might actually have been referring to Franz Kafka.
Yes, I'm quite sure he was referring to the original Kafka and not the character in Murakami's novel.
I think he puts an emphasis on characters and usually his narrative grows progressively stranger as you get deeper into the mystery along with the characters.
In Kafka some walking figments of consumer culture travel around Japan and directly influence the plot. I don't recall anything so overt happening in his other books. It kind of breaks the surreality for me and it crosses over into fantasy or some sort of critique of consumerism.