Kafka on the Shore is quirky and astoundingly original. Kafka is a 15 year old boy who leaves home to escape the fate foretold by his father, (whom he hates), that he will kill his father and sleep with his mother and sister. If that’s ringing Oedipal bells don’t worry - this is no Greek myth. It’s more an amalgam of magical realism - Japanese style, and mystery with a philosophical bent.

Kafka is offered a job in a private library run by an enigmatic, beautiful but sad 50 year old woman and a kind, handsome and erudite transexual. They each play their part in Kafka’s search for the truth about his past and how he wishes to go on living. Is the woman the mother who abandoned Kafka when he was only four? Who did kill Kafka’s father? Will Kafka lose his virginity to the spirit who visits his bedroom each night…and just what place do Colonel Sanders, Johnny Walker and the man who talks to cats fill in this surreal jigsaw? As I said, it’s different, but very readable and at times quite funny.

Mrs Sweeney