The World's Literature in Europe discussion

Not yet picking up the complete copy of Kafka on the Shore, I proceeded to read the Goodreads' description of this Murakami novel and some of its abbreviated Google Preview. There are two main characters: a fifteen-year-old, "runaway" Kafka Tamura and a problematic older man Nakata, the latter who once inhaled poisonous gas, fell unconscious, revived, but was permanently affected. The two stories might not seem related, but are so. A once Top Secret investigation of the "Rice Bowl Hill Incident" (1944?) interweaves chapters.

Kafka voraciously reads the Komura library's books. A conversation points up his and Franz Kafka's similar names and the latter's stories--The Castle, The Trial, The Metamorphosis, and In The Penal Colony, all of which and The Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights the Chapter 7 dialogue notes. Franz Schubert's "Sonata in D Major" and other musical pieces are also noted. I wonder whether Kafka's and Murakami's stories are connected?

I have not read Murakami yet, I am looking forward to reading Kafka on the Shore.

I'm anticipating this novel, too, Priti.

There's a vast number of short pieces which describe this book. I would choose a few of them. There are also more literary and musical references--Hegel, Nietzsche, Beethoven.

The book title is probably the librarian Miss Saeki's song title.

I have ordered the book from the library. I have been meaning to read some Murakami for awhile now.

AsmahH, that's a very interesting point you made. Even though I haven't read any of Franz Kafka's works, so I won't be able to identify any references or relations to Murakami's novel, it's still a very intriguing idea.

I'm also looking forward to reading this novel. I've had it sitting on my self for about a year now, looking for an opportunity to read it :)

AsmahH wrote: "I'm anticipating this novel, too, Priti.

There's a vast number of short pieces which describe this book. I would choose a few of them. There are also more literary and musical references--Hegel, ..."

Thanks AsmahH, I took your advice and did read a very few short pieces on the book, though I always want to discover a book on my own and not have my feeling coloured by what others think or say about it. That comes after I have finished the book. Looking forward to the read :)

Hm.. I'm tempted to read a number of Kafka's short stories beforehand. I've only read The Metamorphosis.

Julie wrote: "I have ordered the book from the library. I have been meaning to read some Murakami for awhile now."

The World's Literature is reading a variety of Haruki Murakami. The first texts were Sputnik Sweetheart, A Wild Sheep Chase, after the quake, then 1Q84, soon Kafka on the Shore. Happy reading!

Akylina wrote: "AsmahH, that's a very interesting point you made...I'm also looking forward to reading this novel. I've had it sitting on my self for about a year now, looking for an opportunity to read it :) .."

Those are the best kind, Akylina. They've mellowed, have been simmering, and have now an opportunity to be read. What better time than now?

Priti wrote: "I..read a very few short pieces on the book, though I always want to discover a book on my own and not have my feeling coloured by what others think or say about it. ..."

Absolutely true, Priti. And, I might not have all the details until I've read the novel. Reviewers aren't infallible.

Motheaten wrote: "Hm.. I'm tempted to read a number of Kafka's short stories beforehand. I've only read The Metamorphosis."

Kafka's The Metamorphosis is an accomplishment. I appreciate your mentioning having read that and having considered some of his others.

It seems that I'm picking information here and there. The latest one is "References" and "Links" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafka_on...

I'm hoping to be able to join you for this, Asmah, but probably not til mid September. I enjoyed The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and am looking forward to more of Murakami. I haven't read any Kafka (but do have
The Meowmorphosis on my kindle!!)

Thanks for all the info.

That's something to be enjoyed side-by-side, Metamorphosis/Meowmorphosis. And, all those cats Murakami makes characters :)

Anytime is excellent, Sue.

Looking forward to it. Got to fit it in somewhere.

Hi, Mike. I've read some early Murakami, some of which I still remember so it must have been a good one(s). I'm reading some 1Q84, too. This forthcoming read must be a blockbuster, and the pre-reading is good idea to glimpse the threads of plot, the individual characters, and the metaphysical realities of its author.

I kind of like Mike's acronym KOTS!

After having read Random House's Murakami interview, I had highlighted parts of two paragraphs--the tip of the proverbial iceberg. One was

"Writing a novel lets me [Murakami] intentionally dream while I'm still awake. I can continue yesterday's dream today, something you can't normally do in everyday life. It's also a way of descending deep into my own consciousness. So while I see it as dreamlike, it's not fantasy. For me the dreamlike is very real." and

"What I see myself doing...is writing novels where, in my own way, I dismantle the fictional world of Kafka that itself dismantled the existing novelistic system. One could view this as a kind of homage to Kafka, I suppose."

The Library of http://www.randomhouse.com/features/m... has the whole Author Q & A interview. Makes me want to have another cat or two.