Kafka On the Shore by Haruki Murakami

I know this is the first time I am reviewing a book. But I figured that I should start archiving all books I read. I do not read a lot of serious books, mainly chick flicks and some fiction. One of my favourite authors is Sophie Kinsella. I have read all her shopaholic books J

As for Haruki Murakami, I got to know this author unexpectedly. Months ago, my sister was reading a book and told me that it was a very weird narration but it gets more interesting as you read and it was by a Japanese author. I did not take any notice or attention to that. 2 weeks ago, while browsing some beauty blog, I do not know how, but I ended up in a blog reviewing books! From there I got to know about Norwegian woods and IQ84 by the same author. The description of the author and these books reminded me of how my sister described a book few months ago.

That night, I went to her room and look for the book and found Kafka On The Shore by Haruki Murakami and of course started reading it.

Reading chick flicks makes me feel like I am in la-la land but this book makes me wonder sometimes if I am living in reality or am I living in a dream.

The book is about a 15 year old boy, Kafka Tamura who is planning to run away from home on his birthday. He is a depressed teenager who does not like his father and his mother and sister have left him when he was young. He ran away from Tokyo and ended in Takamatsu, Kamakura Memorial library. He befriended a librarian, Oshima and he started working there.

On the other end, we have Nakata who is and elderly man who had an accident when he was a kid and turn up to be not so smart. He lives a simple life and he is able to talk to cats J. He can also predict it will be raining fish and mackerels.It is very magical and whimsical.

And in the book there is a Johnny Walker character. It is quite funny when it came to that but there is a very dark side at the end..

At the beginning of the book, it feels that the author is writing about these 2 characters separately in alternate chapters. But as you read, you will start to see the link.

Verdict: The book got me hooked. It is full of metaphor and philosophy that are really deep. I have to admit that I have trouble understanding them. Just a word of caution, there is not exactly a logical ending to this book, it is meant to keep the readers thinking and interpret it their own way. And maybe because of this, it made it so unique. I have conclude that Kafka On The Shore means that you are not in a dream nor are you in reality, you are sitting on a line, the shore.

I really love the book and I am sure I will re-read it. And I think I am obsessed with the author, I went and buy Norwegian woods and also IQ84.

Where : Kinokuniya