Kafka On The Shore by Haruki Murakami

“Finding yourself in this world is difficult, yet entirely possible”

Kafka On The Shore is a beautifully told story about needing to let go and step out of your own reality in order to find out that life is meant to be lived. It’s a profoundly spiritual exploration of life, who we love, and the choices we make in life. Murakami introduces us to Zen and Buddhist philosophies, with a little Hinduism thrown in for good measure.

One of things I really enjoyed about this book was that metaphysics played a central concept in the novel as many of the character's dialogues and soliloquy are motivated by their inquiry about the nature of the world around them and their relation to it. Among other prominent ideas are: the virtues of self-sufficiency, the relation of dreams and reality, the threat of fate, the uncertain grip of prophecy, and the influence of the subconscious.

This was one of the most engaging and magical pieces of literature I've read. Reality is unclear. The book presses the boundaries of what exists around the characters versus what exists in their minds. Powerful forces guide the characters--some known, some unknown. I was drawn to this book for the mood that it presented. It opened my imagination and set my spirit spinning with possibilities and ideas. It's rare to find a story with this effect. The prose, as always by Murakami, grabs you from the get-go--it's charming, smooth, and intelligent without being pretentious.

Surreal. Poignant. Magical. Weird. And a classic Murakami from beginning to end.