Kafka on the Shore

The FS has just released a Collector's Edition of Kafka on the Shore. See here.



You may wish to compare it with the Centipede Press edition, which is significantly more expensive. See here.

Wow, will definitely be in my Fall order!

Well that was certainly unexpected. The front board reminds me a little too much of a blue Ubik but otherwise the interior artwork looks very intriguing and doesn't seem at all inappropriate for Murakami, far more enigmatic than the chaotic dreamlike pieces from the Centipede edition which works just as well for for me either way. Will definitely be picking up a copy a some point to replace the Centipede copy that I got rid off a couple years ago.

Interesting. Why was this released separately when the fall collection should be out soon? Or are they not releasing all the new books at once?

>4 vmb443: Why was this released separately when the fall collection should be out soon?

They've done this before. I recall them releasing Under Fire about a couple of weeks ahead of the new collection. If this is the same I'd expect the full collection in mid-September which was always more likely than the start of the month.

They've been doing this this year as well a fair bit - the Angela Carter and Book of the New Sun were released weeks before the Spring collection, and Master and Margarita came before the Summer Collection

Looks lovely. I already have the Centipede Press edition, so I'll probably be passing on this one. I am a huge Murakami fan though, so I hope they do more of his in the future.

Heard of the author, never read, but the exterior design is pretty eye-catching.

Not a huge fan but glad they finally some world literature, albeit not a very risky choice; will certainly purchase during the winter sale.

Any time that Folio does a survey about future releases, I always ask for Murakami. I feel like I've finally been heard! I will 100% be getting this in my fall order. I hope it sells well and that Folio continues to publish more of Murakami's works. A big win for me!

>10 mwould: Me too!

A beautiful edition, so I am pleased for Murakami fans; unfortunately I am allergic, so not one for me.

>12 ian_curtin: haha allergic how?

(I'm a huge fan of Kafka, but I've never read Murakami.)

>13 abysswalker: I guess over time I've found pretty consistently that his stuff isn't for me - I have tried a couple of times, didn't get on with the books, so have moved on.

That's one aspect - probably the fairer part of my allergy. The other, subjective, and possibly unfair aspect is how I feel about his profile (massive, ubiquitous), his style (mainstream, commercial quirk), and how critics treat him (until very recently, universal and quite un-critical acclaim). He's massively successful, and people love his work, which is fine - sometimes it feels to me more like he's a brand than a writer though.

>14 ian_curtin: makes sense. Thanks for explaining.

I will add to the above comments for anyone who hasn’t read Murakami, I started with 1Q84 and thought it was one of the worst books I’d ever read. Never read anything else. And to the Kafka fan above, Murakami is definitely no Kafka.

Of course, this is my opinion. Looks like a nice edition for fans.

Not at all a Murakami fan, but it's a nice edition and it's nice seeing Folio branch out a bit.

I think it is his best book, so this is a lovely surprise. Would be nice to see some more of the pictures though.

>16 Tom9019: I'm torn with this. He's a great author, always on the short list to be the next Nobel winner but will probably never win, and has many fans, but, a strange choice by Folio. I'm all for world literature and enjoyed the book so I'll but it, but it certainly isn't a title for the ever growing Sci fi and fantasy crowd and is a difficult book to get though at times. Also interesting that this post only has around 20 comments. My fear is that this book will discourage Folio to branch out less on these titles... and so many gems to choose from. Oh well.

I’m very interested in it as well, admittedly spurred on a bit by the production values - it’s a beautiful book.

>19 Joshbooks1: I like the sci-fi /fantasy stuff and I like this book. I would bet that crowd has a more eclectic reading taste than you would think.

>21 RRCBS:
>19 Joshbooks1:

Likewise, it’s not that I didn’t enjoy 1Q84 because I only like sci fi/fantasy or because it was difficult. I enjoy a wide range of lit from Goethe, Milton, Faulkner, McCarthy, Pynchon, Roth, Whitman, Crane, Keats, Burgess, Hemingway, Camus, West, Nabokov, and so on and on to Heinlein, Tolkien, Vonnegut, Atwood, and so on and on.

It simply wasn’t for me in a major way, given his hype. But to each his own.

Edit: to be clear, I only read 1Q84, so this could be magnificent. Only posted because I saw someone express interest based on their interest in Kafka, and I wanted to point out besides the use of the name, there are, IMO, no similarities.

To be fair as well, Kafka on the Shore is fantasy - it won the World Fantasy Award in 2006

Murakami is one of those authors whose books I see everywhere but have no idea what they are about or what is writing style is like.

Researching on Wikipedia does little to illuminate things!

A good place to dip your toe in with Murakami are the "Wind/Pinball" novellas. They are early works and are more accessible than some of his larger, later novels. From there I would go to "Kafka" or "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage."

By the way, this FS production of "Kafka" does look really really handsome!

I am hot and cold with Murakami. I made the mistake of reading all of his books in a row and at some point they all started to blend together. His last book was a dnf for me. I personally find his works more grounded in reality to my liking, with my favorite being Norweigan Wood. Definitely an acquired taste though. The book looks wonderful and will likely pick this up somewhere along the line.

>26 PrestigeWorldWide: I also read them in a row a couple years back. Fortunately it didn't feel much of a mistake from my experience but I definitely also felt what you mean about them blending together after a while; Murakmi is definitely an author who likes to regurgitate his ideas. There were the odd experimental books though "After Dark" comes to mind but not exactly all that memorable.

I also second >25 PartTimeBookAddict:'s suggestion of "Wind/Pinball" novellas which also have two direct sequels "Wildsheep Chase" and "Dance, Dance, Dance." These will be a bit more individually digestible than some of his larger works.

Of his bigger novels; "Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World" is one I'd also strongly recommend specifically for those with a disposition towards sci fi. While it's more on the soft rather than hard end of the sci fi scale the beauty of this book is that if you can't really get into the magical realism side of things you can still ultimately interpret the story through a sci fi lens. For Philip Dick fans this book has vibes that are very reminiscent of UBIK. Being his first big novel it's a bit rough around the edges but essentially gives you a taster of some of the tropes he later develops.

In my opinion his two most mature and best rounded novels are Kafka and Wind up Bird Chronicle and would I actually recommend the latter over Kafka as I find it's a smidgen more lucid and harder hitting with its forays into WW2. It's something I'd also like to see Folio publish at some point. 1Q84 is definitely not something I'd ever recommend to Murakami newbies.

Kafka on the Shore is actually the only book of Murakami's that I've read. It was back in 2017, and I have strong memories of it - of its eerie and other-worldly, kind of, stranger in a strange land vibe - like being mildly stoned. But I also recall being a little frustrated at some of the diversions - perhaps it was 100 pages too long? I got a bit impatient, which was annoying because I loved the ideas and the general emotions it evoked, which were hindered by the overly slow pace at times. But overall I found it an easy and rewarding read (but no doubt missed a few of the metaphors!)

Looks like a gorgeous edition.

So is this written by Kafka? Sorry, I don't know much about this edition. And why there is a Kafka connection

>29 Gilded_Tomes1: Oh dear, please take a seat.

>29 Gilded_Tomes1: Kafka is the name of the novel's protagonist. He has no connection to Franz (except for presumably having been named after him, and for at one point mentioning that he has read some of his namesake's stories).

Looks very nice nice. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if I didn't already have the Centipede Press LE.

I too made the mistake of reading too many Murakamis in a row back in the day and now I don't really fancy going back. I will say my favourites are South of the Border, West of the Sun and Norwegian Wood which I'd say are safe choices as a starting point. One caveat re the Wind up Bird Chronicle, too - since a lot of people found Shadow of the Torturer too gruesome, be warned that there is a scene in Wind-up Bird which is significantly worse... I was on a commuter train and almost fainted!

I thought about posting this in the Ridiculous Secondary Market thread, but thought it might be better suited here.

It seems Analecta Books has joined the not-so-esteemed ranks which count Island Books among their membership, selling an in-stock book for three times the retail price, and going so far as to call it a limited edition.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30992765382

I was initially surprised that the owner was able to get signatures or remarques done so quickly (within a day or two?), as I am familiar with their business, as more than a few of us might be. But upon further inspection, it's just a plain old regular copy of the book, with nothing on top that might add any extra value to those inclined to pay for such things.

They are also very well-educated regarding the FS-specific use of Limited Edition, so I can only imagine their goal is to further confuse buyers and take advantage of them.

Very disappointing.

Analecta are in fact proposing a price which is more than double that of Island Books. That in itself must be some kind of a record. They also claim to have five copies. I had intended to email/message them to enquire what the limitaion on the book is but I can't find Abe's Ask Seller a Question. To be fair it has been a long time since I've used Abe for anything.

Just another lowlife to avoid.

Here's an interview with the owner of Analecta, whose stock would take up half of one shelf of a standard billy: https://www.emptymirrorbooks.com/collecting/limited-edition-books
Note his heartfelt warning about using E-bay, where you don't know whom you can trust.

>36 Jayked: an interview with the owner of Analecta

Steve Sargent? I know that name from somewhere ... Could it be the guy on the Folio Buy/Sell/Trade Group on F*c* Book who peddles his "remarqued" Folios? Surely not ...

>31 ambyrglow: Thank you so much. I'm a huge Kafka fan but don't recall this title, so glad to know so I don't make a mistake.

I'm still waiting for FS to release details of their LE of the Divine Comedy

>37 folio_books:

Steve Sargent? I know that name from somewhere ... Could it be the guy on the Folio Buy/Sell/Trade Group on F*c* Book who peddles his "remarqued" Folios? Surely not ...

Are you referring to Facebook? Or is that some sort of secret group, using another combination of f and c letters? If it's the latter, sign me up! Maybe we can all moan about things other than book prices!

I'm referring to Facebook. It amused me to remove the "e" as well as the "a" to increase the possibilities. Unless there's another Buy/Sell/Trade group, of course.

I knew it had to be Steve Sargent before I opened that interview. He is very visible in the FS buy/sell and fans groups.

I did not however know that that seller was him. To be fair, I don't shop on Abe almost at all.

I really don't understand why someone would do this. It's kinda cheap. The book is still available, it's still first print, there is no signature. The whole purpose seems to be to con people who aren't fully aware.

I've been very busy these past few months, and before today I pulled up LT only twice. The first time happened to be the very morning the summer sale kicked in. The second was yesterday when Murakami was released. So it appears that despite Tom Walker's best efforts, there is still an almost super-natural connection between me and FS :)

Never read Murakami before, but will check him out eventually, so will definitely do it with the Folio. Not high priority, but I'll get it. Looks like a really nice production. I like the 2-color printing and multiple motif drawings.

>19 Joshbooks1: Murakami is a very popular author, I think it was a pretty safe bet for FS.

Nice production. Probably pick it up at some point as I’m moving on the centipede press version.

>16 Tom9019: I think maybe a recent 1300 page trilogy like 1Q84 isn't the best place to start with Murakami. I’ve just started reading him but started with something more manageable (Norwegian wood) to get a feel for his style & see if I liked him.

>43 Sorion: if you or anyone else is considering parting with their Centipede edition of Kafka in favour of the new FS edition, please let me know. I missed out on the Centipede and would love to purchase it. Thank you!

I haven't read Murakami, but the title Norwegian Wood just appeals to me, maybe because I used to live in Copenhagen, Denmark. Scandinavia and all that. Good tactic for those on the fence, is to download either to your phone or kindle a free sample from Amazon of Murakami's book to get a feel of how it reads. I know some don't prefer Kindle and/or ebooks, but these free samples are really great and saves you going to the library. I still read physical books but see the Kindle as a tool

Just to warn you that Norwegian Wood, while excellent, is nothing like any other Murakami novel!

I enjoyed Kafka when I read it -- very weird but atmospheric and interesting.

I've only read The Wind Up Bird Chronicle by him, and quite liked it. I was forewarned by a friend who reads more than I do not to expect nice resolutions in Murakami's work. This looks like a terrific production and may well be included in my next order, if it's still available whenever that day comes.

In case anyone is curious about the printing location (L.E.G.O. S.p.A./Italy) and paper (Abbey Wove):



(Image not mine; taken from a conversation on Facebook.)

The book looks nice. The only Murakami I have read is Sputnik Sweetheart. Is anyone able to place this in terms of quality and style relative to his other work, and Kafka on the Shore in particular?

>46 ironjaw: I know what you mean, though the title has more to do with the Beatles song ‘Norwegian Wood’ which is referenced through the novel

>51 ubiquitousuk: I would say this is on par with Kafka on the Shore.

I was hoping for Murakami. This is great! I would have preferred Hard Boiled Wonderland, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, 1Q84, A Wild Sheep Chase and then Kafka on the Shore, but hey. I’m just glad it wasn’t Norwegian Wood.

My copy arrived this morning - and I am delighted with it. I have plugged Murakami to FS at various times and this is a great novel to start with. Pace others here, but there is no Murakami work I haven't enjoyed. He does magical realism brilliantly and everything is always made clear, at least to me, by the end of the book. Some have complained about lack of lucidity. I am rather reminded, for those who know it, of Tom Stoppard's one act play "After Magritte" which opens with a stage diretion "Mother lies prone on an ironing board under a basket of fruit suspended from the ceiling, while a young couple - the girl in a ball dress, the man stripped to the waist in waders - are frantically changing light bulbs; through a street window at the back a policeman spies on this domestic scene in a posture of frozen astonishment..." Surreal? Yes - but by the end of the play a perfectly reasonable and logical explanation for this surreal opening is revealed.

>52 antinous_in_london: "I know what you mean, though the title has more to do with the Beatles song ‘Norwegian Wood’ which is referenced through the novel"

I knew there would be something outlandish

>55 appaloosaman: Welcome back! It's been a terribly long time since we've been honoured by your presence on LT? Hope you've been well and safe!

I've been more of a lurker than a poster here. There are none busier than those who are retired. I spend most of my time doing legal research and writing articles for law reviews. TMOT - there are none so demanding as American student law review editors. My latest article, excitingly (!) entitled California's Brown Act - Clearing the Smoke-Filled Room, is scheduled for publication this fall. This is what we have to put up with from editors: "As stated in my previous email, we completed source pulling on August 28 and will begin the editing process on August 30. The editing process will be broken up into two different steps: (1) source checks and textual edits and (2) Bluebook edits.  On September 30, I will send you the edited version of your article (containing both the completed source checks and textual edits) for your approval. Please return the article with your approvals by October 8. I will then send you the Bluebook citation edits for your approval on November 1. Please return the article with your approvals by November 8." My co-author takes a feisty approach to this stuff. With an earlier article, I asked what I should do with their proposed edits. She replied, "I should tell them to **** off!"

>57 appaloosaman: From a fellow lurker and loiterer, nice to see you back, Julian...! My excuses for not posting more are feeble at best.

I must say that I don't understand the flags against the post though... (I attempted to follow Terebinth's counterflag instructions from a previous topic, but without apparent effect)

>55 appaloosaman:

Welcome back! It's a pleasure to read your posts. Just for the record, I also very much enjoy Murakawi, and have read him both in English and Spanish.

>59 drasvola: Antonio! My dear friend; what a pleasure to see you here as well. Hope all is well and that you are safe and enjoying a good book

>60 ironjaw:
Thanks for your message, Faisel. I have noticed that you are quite active in the group, which is great because I enjoy reading your contributions. Keep it up. Just taking it easy on my side but, otherwise, fine. Following all the books appearing after recent hard times for publishers. Un abrazo.