Kafka on the Shore
question
Why use the names of other famous Authors/works if there is no connection intended?
Caryn
Mar 02, 2013 06:13PM
I could not make heads or tails of this book, mainly because I wasted my focus, I kept looking for some connection to Franz Kafka, one of my favourite authors. I couldn't imagine a writer would use such a uniquely recognizable name without intending to reference that connection.
Apparently it has nothing at all to do with Franz or his work, but the word "Kafka" in Czech means Jackdaw/Crow and the character has an alter-ego called 'The boy named Crow'.
Perhaps this is only my problem, but I found it incredibly confusing, same with 1Q84, which I enjoyed very much, but there is no connection I could find to Orwell's 1984, and cannot understand then, why allude to some connection through the title?
Am I wrong? IS there some connection in either of these cases? Did I miss it? Did it bother anyone else? IMHO, It's kind of like naming a random character, 'Jesus Christ', but not utilizing the baggage that comes with that name. Any input would be appreciated.
Apparently it has nothing at all to do with Franz or his work, but the word "Kafka" in Czech means Jackdaw/Crow and the character has an alter-ego called 'The boy named Crow'.
Perhaps this is only my problem, but I found it incredibly confusing, same with 1Q84, which I enjoyed very much, but there is no connection I could find to Orwell's 1984, and cannot understand then, why allude to some connection through the title?
Am I wrong? IS there some connection in either of these cases? Did I miss it? Did it bother anyone else? IMHO, It's kind of like naming a random character, 'Jesus Christ', but not utilizing the baggage that comes with that name. Any input would be appreciated.
deleted member
Mar 03, 2013 09:45AM
1 vote
I picked 'Kafka on the shore' for the same reason. Kafka is one of my favorite authors.
If there's some connection i couldn't find it either. Even though i like Murakami's writing it wasn't enjoyable this time. I was really disappointed cause i had huge expectations regarding this book.
Please forgive my English.
If there's some connection i couldn't find it either. Even though i like Murakami's writing it wasn't enjoyable this time. I was really disappointed cause i had huge expectations regarding this book.
Please forgive my English.
Its been a while since I read it, but aren't there subtle references to 1984 in 1Q84? For example the little people are so called as a direct nod to big brother in 1984.
At least for 1Q84, I thought the connection was that both Orwell's 1984 and the alternate universe of the year 1984 was just that: alternate realities of possibilities. Worlds where things just weren't quite right, where the guy and the girl don't end up together.
Also, if I'm recollecting correctly, I believe Murakami was very influenced by Orwell while writing 1Q84.
I have no answer regarding Kafka on the Shore, except maybe the alter-ego of Crow was his way of turning into another being, only mentally/emotionally rather than physically, like in "The Metamorphosis."
Also, if I'm recollecting correctly, I believe Murakami was very influenced by Orwell while writing 1Q84.
I have no answer regarding Kafka on the Shore, except maybe the alter-ego of Crow was his way of turning into another being, only mentally/emotionally rather than physically, like in "The Metamorphosis."
I really loved this book and it is my understanding that it is an homage to Kafka, in any case I believe it says so on Murakami's website.
It wasn't Kafkaesque enough. It was more surreal and philosophical.
I like your idea about naming a random character Jesus Christ
Interesting discussion...I may have a bone in it, since my novel is called Kafka's House. Here is how I got to name it such: in middle 80's I visited Kafka's House on Golden Lane in Prague. It was such a huge surprise for me - never in my life had I seen such ridiculously small rooms. You could only wonder how a grownup Kafka must have felt living in such a bizarre toy house. You immediately felt claustrophobic. And so, for me, the metaphor of a space that has you irremediably trapped translated to the communist Romania, a cage at that time, literally. So this is the meaning of the title. Romania as a bizarre space, WAY too small for the humanity of its people, a space into which one must acquiesce in because there is no escape.
There are references, but for me, I tend to like Kafka on the Shore more when I don't associate the references with other works. The book takes on the qualities of a hyper real dream where both everything and nothing is real, and associating the book with others, even if intended, does not necessarily make the book a more exciting read. I have no idea what the book means, and the book is all the more fascinating for it.
I personally enjoy Murakami's Western influences here and there, and perhaps for Japanese people it is just as fun, or 'cultured' to read about references from a different culture to their own. I know that 1Q84 pronounced in Japanese happens to be a sort of word play, and coincidently references Orwell's 1984. Murakami is obviously influenced by and admires these Western greats. Whats wrong with a bit of fun? This is what I enjoy about reading Japanese fiction, especially Murakami's.
I too read the book because of the Kfka reference but was then quickly immersed. So much so... that I referenced Murakami (and Bulgakov) in the first pages of my own debut novel The Sword of Agrippa: Antioch. I also sprinkled a few more sources/references/authors/references for anyone who wanted to gaze more deeply into a point being made. Like the dreamfish... a hallucinogenic fish taken during the days of ancient Greece and Rome...
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Mar 04, 2013 02:55PM · flag