Hello everyone,
I have around 10 thousand words due on Thursday, the same day as a proofreading exam, so this is going to be a very short post. I felt I had to update you though, because I think I may have a new favourite book. I’m currently reading Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore (let’s call it Kafka for short), and there are so many things about it that I just adore. I love Murakami’s stripped back style, mixed with the surrealism in his novels. It’s such an odd and fascinating combination, and I find that I’m enjoying every second of reading Kafka. As well as the intriguing style, the book is laden with really beautiful quotes that I want to write on my walls. I’m not going to because I’m renting, but if I had enough money to buy a house, that’s what I would do.
Here is one of my favourite quotes that makes an appearance quite early on in the novel:
“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”
– Kafka on the Shore, by Haruki Murakami
Have you read any Murakami? What do you think of his writing?
Thanks for reading,
– Tamara
I went through a Murakami kick a little while back – he’s hugely addictive. I’m not sure he’s actually great great – his dialogue is some of the most wooden ever written, for example – but I often go back to him. Kafka on the Shore is one of my favourites and exemplifies the ‘quest’ nature of some of his writing (which might be why he’s so popular with younger readers). I think his best work, though, is to be found in his short stories, which is perhaps surprising given how long some of this books are. Thanks for your post – I’m going to have another re-read of it now…..Best wishes, Nick
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Thanks so much for your comment Nick! Yes I’ve noticed his dialogue can be quite stiff, and I can’t help but think he’s written it like that on purpose. I guess we’ll never know. I read a short story of his a long time ago, so long that I can’t even remember the title. I’ll definitely have a read of them when I get the chance. Thanks so much for reading 🙂
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Great pleasure – very much enjoying your blog. Best wishes, N
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Kafka on the Shore was one of my favorite. Yeah , I agree with you there are numerous quotes to be found there :).
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I just completed kafka- most intriguing, lovable and mystical book if I have to describe it using simple words these would be it.
This was my first Murakami book, but definitely not the last. I like how he teasess the realms of reality by daring to imagine beyond the concrete facts 👌
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Thank you so much for commenting! I couldn’t agree more. I’ve since read “Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World”, “The Strange Library”, and “Norwegian Wood”. There’s something addictive about Murakami!
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I have to agree! Happy reading (:
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