Dreamlike odyssey with magical realism.
Recommended for those who enjoy surreal fiction that explores deeper philosophical questions. The intertwining stories of Kafka Tamura and Nakata, as well as the use of magical realism, creates a mesmerising and thought-provoking reading experience. The book delves into themes of identity, fate, and the human psyche.
ISBN: 9780099458326
Publisher: Vintage
Date of Publication: 2005-01-01
Format: Paperback
Goodreads rating: 4.13
(rated by 461392 readers)
Description
Alternate cover edition here.Kafka on the Shore, a tour de force of metaphysical reality, is powered by two remarkable characters: a teenage boy, Kafka Tamura, who runs away from home either to escape a gruesome oedipal prophecy or to search for his long-missing mother and sister; and an aging simpleton called Nakata, who never recovered from a wartime affliction and now is drawn toward Kafka for reasons that, like the most basic activities of daily life, he cannot fathom. Their odyssey, as mysterious to them as it is to us, is enriched throughout by vivid accomplices and mesmerizing events. Cats and people carry on conversations, a ghostlike pimp employs a Hegel-quoting prostitute, a forest harbors soldiers apparently unaged since World War II, and rainstorms of fish (and worse) fall from the sky. There is a brutal murder, with the identity of both victim and perpetrator a riddle—yet this, along with everything else, is eventually answered, just as the entwined destinies of Kafka and Nakata are gradually revealed, with one escaping his fate entirely and the other given a fresh start on his own.
Condition guide
Book Condition Guide
Books in Like New Condition
This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Very Good Condition
This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Good Condition
We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Well Read Condition
This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Find out more about our process here.
Availability
Quantity selected exceeds current stock
Thanks for signing up for restock notifications!
There was an error signing up for restock notifications. Please try again.
Be the first to know when we restock this title!
Notify Me
Adding product to your cart
You may also like
Dreamlike odyssey with magical realism.
Recommended for those who enjoy surreal fiction that explores deeper philosophical questions. The intertwining stories of Kafka Tamura and Nakata, as well as the use of magical realism, creates a mesmerising and thought-provoking reading experience. The book delves into themes of identity, fate, and the human psyche.
You may also like
You may also like
You may also like
By completing this form, you are signing up to receive our emails and can unsubscribe at any time.