If you don’t like open endings/twists in a story and unexplained scenes/a labyrinth tale which leaves tons of unanswered questions — then you might as well skip reading this book.
I was reading this book for a couple of days and I was completing 3–4 chapters each day. As I approached towards the end and sat down to read today, I did not keep a track of pages or the chapters. The book had me gasping for answers and I was getting none. With each chapter, my questions grew and so did my curiosity.
The story starts off with the introduction of a 15 year of an angry teenager who isn’t happy with his life and plans on leaving this hometown. He gives himself the name ‘Kafka Tamura’ because ‘Kafka’ in Czech means crows. Parallel to hearing Kafka’s voice, sometimes we hear monologues from ‘Boy named Crow’ which is a reflection of his inner self.
Kafka’s character is well voiced and given perfect points when it comes to vocalising what he is feeling and what he plans to do. It seems like you are inside a 15-year-old’s mind. His father was a respected sculptor. Kafka’s mother left him when he was four and ran away with his elder sister. Later in the story the reason for his elope unfolds which is a supposed curse according to which Kafka would:
Kill his father, seduce his sister and have sex with his mother.
In order to prove this wrong, Kafka drops out of middle school, catches a bus a ends up being at Komura Memorial Library which is run by an elegant and beautiful middle-aged woman and Oshima as her assistant.
The next character we have is Nakata- who is a sweet bean, an innocent old man who has the best quality which is to be able to talk to cats. He searches for lost cats by talking to stray cats and soon ends up chasing a serial killer of the cat world. He starts his hunt, makes it rain fishes and then ends up with a truck driver who devotes himself to Nakata.
The pros:
The story is a change from the hardcore fiction and thrilling stories. It is a book where to run away from home and see the world from a 15-year-old’s eyes. Murakami’s writing transports you into the magical world where it is raining leeches from the sky and cats are taking to people; inter-dimensional gates are being opened and different creatures are showing up. You watch how Nakata’s and Kafka’s worlds are intertwined with a series of events.
It is not a quick read but it is without a doubt a fun one. There are discussions about Nepolean’s army, Beethoven and yes, Radiohead too. The conversations between characters sometimes make you giggle but also make you think about the life we are living.
There is no real take from the story, about life or death. The beauty is that one can have any interpretation and it will be right. Since there is no singular right answer we can make anything out of this book.
The cons:
The beauty of the book, to some people, can be a drawback too. While others like sewing the loops and finding the meaning, some want the story written to them clearly. After finishing the book, there will be numerous unanswered answers in your head but alas there is no correct answer to them. (In an interview Murakami said one would have to read the book multiple times if they truly want to understand it)
There are some long unnecessary middle bridges where the environment is explained in a little too detail. While it is interesting to have the background details, it helps in imagining the scene a little better; however, it can get reach a stage where the reader might get bored.
To sum it up — Kafka On The Shore is definitely a different read. It makes us think, judge and laugh.
