Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami ~ Started: 18.03.10 ~ Finished: 30.03.10
Synopsis ~
Kafka on the Shore follows the fortunes of two remarkable characters. Kafka Tamura runs away from home at fifteen, under the shadow of his father's dark prophecy. The ageing Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his simple life suddenly turned upside down. Their parallel odysseys are enriched throughout by vivid accomplices and mesmerising drama Cats converse with people; fish tumble from the sky; a forest soldiers apparently un-aged since WWII. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle.
At once a classic tale of quest, Kafka on the Shore is also a bold exploration of mythic and contemporary taboos, of patricide, of mother-love, of sister-love. Above all it is bewitching and wildly inventive novel from a master stylist.
'Kafka on the Shore' was the first book I read by Haruki Murakami, I enjoyed it and once I read more novels by Haruki Murakami, I can say (most of you know) he is one of my favourite authors.
'Kafka on the Shore' tells the story of Kafka Tamura, a 15 year boy who for various reasons runs away from home, according to the boy named Crow, Kafka 'is going to be the world's toughest 15 year old', he has to be, he is now on his own.
Meanwhile Nakata, a 60 + year old man who leads a simple, happy life following a childhood accident when he lost his memory, prior to the accident Nakata had been an excellent student, a happy, normal child, now he spends his time looking for lost cats because Nakata can understands and talks to cats, which does help him when he is searching for lost cats, what begins with a lost cat leads Nakata on a journey.
As always with Haruki Murakami, the story is not a straightforward story, the characters are brilliantly written, unusual and unforgettable, as all Haruki Murakami's characters are.
A fantastic read, my favourite character was Nakata, he could speak to cats and he lived a happy, selfless live, he is a lovely man.