If you've never read anything by Murakami then Kafka on the shore is a great book to check the author out. If you've read Murakami before then this is more of the same greatness. The story runs in parallel between the life of a runaway fifteen year old Kafka, and the life of an old illiterate Nakata who has experienced a strange traumatic experience in his childhood and somehow is able to talk to cats. Amongst other things there's a mysterious brutal killing which the protagonists seem to be connected to. Like his other books sexuality is prominent this time venturing into more taboo subjects like the Oedipus complex, brother-sister love and elder sex. From this scenario you already start to appreciate that there's something intriguing about the situation, something that keeps you turning pages rapidly.

What I like about Murakami's books is that he creates strange surreal scenarios like people conversing with cats, fish falling from the sky and WWII soliders appearing from forests, which make you question the meaning behind this symbolism, if there is any at all. This was the best book from the other four under review. 4.5 out of 5.

Some Quotes

"Not to boast or anything, but I can't write either," the cat said, licking the pads of his right paw. "I'd say my mind is average, though, so I've never found it inconvenient". (pg 49)

"… Symbolism and meaning are two separate things. I think she found the right words by bypassing procedures like meaning and logic. She captured words in a dream, like delicately catching hold of a butterfly's wings as it flutters around. Artists are those who can evade the verbose. (pg. 262)

"Listen every object's in flux. The earth, time concepts, love, life, faith, justice, evil – they're all fluid and in transition. They don't stay in one form or in one place for ever. The whole universe is like some big FedEx box." (Pg 309)

"Perhaps most people in the world aren't trying to be free, Kafka. They just think they are. It's all an illusion. If they really were set free, most people would be in a real pickle. You'd better remember that. People actually prefer not being free". (pg 339)

"Things outside you are a projection of what's inside you, and what's inside you is a projection of what's outside." (pg 379)

"Why does loving somebody mean you have to hurt them as much? I mean, if that's the way it goes, what's the point of loving someone? Why the hell does it have to be like that?" (pg. 432)