Comments on: Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

By: mee

mee — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 22:01:13 +0000

parrish, Kafka on the Shore seems to be the favourite of many people, but it’s not mine unfortunately. It’s my least favorite so far in fact. My favorites are The Wind-up Bird Chronicle and Norwegian Wood (the one that started me on my Murakami journey).

By: parrish

parrish — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 21:52:33 +0000

I loved this book, in fact it’s the one that started me on my Murakami Journey.

By: mee

mee — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:09:21 +0000

Thanks for visiting Gnoe! I wish I had liked Kafka as well. I guess I just missed the point this time.

By: Gnoe

Gnoe — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:46:29 +0000

It’s a pity Kafka didn’t work for you. It’s been a LONG time since I read it (couldn’t wait when it got out ;) but I recallI liked it — even though it wasn’t as good as The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.

I do remember especially liking the ghost-part, because it reminded me of the classic The Tale of Genji which I had read (partly) recently. Recognition, isn’t that part of the fun in reading? ;)

I just discovered your blog and immediately added your rss-feed to my reader! Seems I’ll be visiting more in the near future ;)

By: Book Awards Challenge II Completed! | Books of Mee

Book Awards Challenge II Completed! | Books of Mee — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:33:33 +0000

[...] Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami reviewed 23/01/09, rating 3/5 2006 World Fantasy [...]

By: mee

mee — Fri, 29 May 2009 07:57:48 +0000

I liked The Wind-up Bird Chronicle, or at least the first half. Your reviews of Murakami’s are funny. I can sort of understand your frustration. I think the best way to read Murakami’s is just to go with the flow and stop trying to understand the symbolism and guess where it’s going. Almost like fairy tales.

But for Kafka, a lot of the elements are much too random. It felt like a writing experiment. As if he just wants to see what happens if he throws a bunch of weird random elements, like Johnnie Walker, KFC guy, fish dropping from the sky, a he-female, ghost. Geez I’m just reminded of how I disliked this book! He should have aliens at the end. (Because all good adventures need aliens at the end– yes I’m looking at you Indy)

By: Arukiyomi

Arukiyomi — Fri, 29 May 2009 07:18:52 +0000

I really didn't like this either... nor After the Quake... and I'm currently listening to the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle with the missus in the car and we both think it's nuts and are looking forward to the end... guess he's not for me then! Anyway, FWIW, my review of this book is HERE.

By: Sal

Sal — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:49:37 +0000

Thanks for the review I won’t go get the book to read =P
I know I’ll get frustrated (not just distracted) reading a chapter on the youngster, another the old man and so forth… alternatively, and get my mind confused. It’s exactly like Picoult’s “My Sister’s Keeper” which irritates me no end. Gave up. Wonder whether this is a new way of writing and publishing.

Prob I’ll give it a try if chance comes, but definitely not myself buying.

On another note, Congrats on your matrimony. You look different from that hawker-centre-head-bowed down-so-engrossed-in-food picture :-D

By: Nymeth

Nymeth — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:54:46 +0000

I’m sorry this one didn’t quite work for you! I hope you enjoy your next Murakami more.

By: Japanese Literature Challenge 2 Wrap-Up | Books of Mee

Japanese Literature Challenge 2 Wrap-Up | Books of Mee — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:37:46 +0000

[...] Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami [...]