(.) The mythic motifs also remain frustratingly shady. 'Unless I am being particularly dim-witted, loose ends remain far looser than in any Murakami novel to date.Das Böse ist eine dunkle Macht, die besiegt werden kann, und wir, die Leser, sind auch dann auf der Seite des Guten, wenn wir nicht verstehen, was vor sich geht.' - Jörg Magenau, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Murakami spielt mit dem Mythos-Material, und man spürt, welche Freude er daran hat. 'Die Mysterien und die rätselhaften Beziehungen nehmen kein Ende.(.) It may seem idiotic to complain about lack of plausibility in a meandering narrative featuring talking cats and ghostly spirits, especially one featuring a running commentary about metaphor and allegory - but that is Kafka on the Shore’s main flaw, and one that makes it a more insubstantial experience than its weighty appearance suggests.' - Ludovic Hunter-Tilney, Financial Times Although the resolution is weak, Murakami builds suspense skilfully and draws you inexorably into a convoluted, fantastical storyline.

' Kafka on the Shore is undoubtedly a very readable book.

(.) Philip Gabriel's English-language text is also pretty clunky in places' - Christopher Tayler, Daily Telegraph

'(T)hough it will leave his long-term fans feeling slightly disappointed, there's no reason to suspect that the dauntingly prolific Murakami is in danger of going permanently off the boil.

Not quite a consensus, but most enthusiastic (but also with some reservations) General information | review summaries | our review | links | about the authorī+ : a bit heavy on the mysticism, but the story unfolds nicely Trying to meet all your book preview and review needs.

Murakami books kafka on the shore