Friday 25 July 2014

Review - Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

Reading Murakami reminds me that there  is far too much logic in fiction. The vast majority of the world's fictional characters inhabit a world in which every action has a rational explanation. Even sci fi and fantasy novels come equipped with their own internal logic. In creating these fictional landscapes, authors are ignoring the fact that we live in an irrational and illogical world. 

An old creative writer once told me: 'The world makes no sense, but in stories, everything needs to make a sense.' As inspirational as that particular teacher was, I disagree with him on that point. 

Murakami is the master of illogical fiction. Kafka on the Shore is the perfect example of a world in which reality is open to interpretation, and in which unexplained phenomena dominate. It portrays a world in which we spend half of our lives - a dream state. 
It's pretty much the closest you can get to a perfect novel. 
 
Despite the reference in the title, Murukami is an altogether different writer to Kafka - and in my opinion he's of equal importance. 



Tuesday 15 July 2014

Butchering the classics

Currently listening to the audiobook version of Haruki Murakami's classic, Kafka on the Shore. Really tempted to press 'Shuffle'. 

Come to think of it, what I ought to do is listen to a linear narrative on Shuffle and see if it still makes sense. War and Peace, maybe? 

Monday 14 July 2014

If You Ever Need a Shoulder to Cry On, Don’t Use Mine or You’ll End Up in Hot Water by Stephen Moles

Here's a surreal and original short story by Philistine Press's Stephen Moles from Swamp Biscuits and Tea




Stephen's novella Life.exe can be downloaded for free here

Wednesday 9 July 2014

The Republic of Mania

Anyone who related to Philistine Press's 'Things That Don't Exist' should pay close attention to http://mannyneira.com/mania/