‘It is as evil as we are positive … the more desperately we try to be good and wonderful and perfect, the more the Shadow develops a definite will to be black and evil and destructive.… The fact is that if one tries beyond one’s capacity to be perfect, the Shadow descends to hell and becomes the devil. For it is just as sinful from the standpoint of nature and of truth to be above oneself as to be below oneself.’
…from Murakami’s book 1Q84 [Amazon]. His surrealist writing powers are on full display. I’m halfway through, and the only Murakami book I’ve enjoyed more was Kafka on the Shore.