On Monday, critically acclaimed Japanese author Haruki Murakami recieved the Franz Kafka literary prize. The internationally renowned author appeared at the award ceremony in Prague, Czech Republic and was presented with a bronze statue as well as $10,000 US.
Organizers of the award said “they gave the prize to Murakami, as his works have widely appealed to readers regardless of race, nationality or culture, just as those of Kafka.” Haruki Murakami’s works have been translated into 35 langauges the world over.
My favorite Haruki Murakami novel is “Kafka on the Shore”. It was originally released in 2002 and published in English last year. “Kafka on the Shore” even appeared on The New York Times 10 Best Books of 2005. The novel’s protagonist Kafka Tamura, is an obvious tribute to Franz Kafka.