Kafka on the Shore - Haruki Murakami

 (Originally written for the facebook group 'Sri Lankan Readers'/ 'පොත් කියවන අය', back in 8th July, 2013)

 

 

Kafka on the Shore - Haruki Murakami

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Frankly I know not what I’ve to say, what to conclude, what the author ultimately wanted to say or even whether he wanted to convey any message at all ( which I feel is most likely), through his novel, known as “Kafka on the beach” in English. What was evident to me was that the volume I read, that of 489 pages of dense text was never imposing and it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. That it had left the shores of reality by the sixth chapter, never to tread foot on that shore in the balance 44 chapters, makes uttering the obvious. I would venture to say that Murakami has scant want for his artistic creation to remain within the realms of reality.

Yet, Murakami does give an inclination that he has some emphasis on the statement, that one can run, but never hide – and as it were it is better to face the music and come up with the best solution to one’s obstacles as one’s options offer. Speaking of music, Murakami appears to be a huge Prince and Radiohead fan, and am glad that I’ve found a fellow fan of that music amongst world renowned authors.

Murakami appears to be telling us, in a subtle kind of way that we should hold on to judging people and incidents, as we are not qualified enough to judge. The numerous sexual encounters etc. appears to hint at this.

The roles that memories play in our lives possibly could be the main focus of Murakami. Some of us, for all practical reasons have lived our lives to it'sfullest and our present existence is just a course of going through the motions, dwelling in those memories which we cherish our every living moment. If not for those memories their lives are meaningless. The life of Miss Saeki and her message after her death to Kafka signify this.

All these things made this book a wonderful read, and make me lookout for other books by Murakami (for this was his first read by me.)