A review by barkfreely
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I nearly threw up on the tram while reading this book because of the cat section (iykyk). Horrific, still affected me the second time - and haunts me even years later. Well written in Murakami's typical minimal and yet equally detailed, descriptive style. You can visualise what's happening - the world is paved very meticulously. Very interesting, wild and tumultuous narrative; it draws you in. Made my skin crawl at points; times where I hated to see the ideas but couldn't stop. 

Humans being human, emotional, illogical and impulsive, violent, caring and gentle - even within the backdrop of unexplained phenomenon. Classic Murakami.
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