Japanese Fiction
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Nick Bradley
|
Atlantic
Books
The Cat and The City : 'Vibrant and accomplished' David Mitchell
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Goodreads rating: 3.83
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"The Cat and The City" stitches together a mosaic of lives with a whimsical feline thread. In its pages, you'll experience the vibrancy and complexities of Tokyo, getting to know the city from the intimate perspectives of its diverse inhabitants. The cat's encounters are a conduit to human stories that are compelling and richly textured—it's like wandering Tokyo's streets yourself, but through the eyes of its silent, observant whiskered resident.
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Haruki Murakami
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Random
House
Uk
Killing Commendatore
$12.50
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Goodreads rating: 3.91
$12.50
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If you're drawn to the blend of the ordinary with the extraordinary, Murakami's "Killing Commendatore" might just captivate your imagination. The painter's introspective quest, laced with enigmatic characters and metaphysical surprises, not only promises an engrossing narrative but also tugs at the profound solitude and yearning within us. Dive into this novel for an experience that's as much about uncovering an otherworldly mystery as it is about exploring the depths of the human heart.
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Kua Ee Heok
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Armour
Publishing
Pte
Ltd
Dignity & Grace of Ageing
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Goodreads rating: 0.0
$8.26
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This book could be a good read for someone who wants to explore the beauty and challenges of growing old. Through the two captivating novels, "The Forgotten River" and "Listening to Letter from America", readers embark on a journey that celebrates the resilience and wisdom that come with age. The book not only offers insights into the struggles faced by those affected by Alzheimer's, but also provides a poignant exploration of the healing power of shared experiences. It is a reminder that even in the face of memory loss, there is still beauty and grace to be found in the process of ageing.
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Donald Keene, Ivan Morris, Yukio Mishima |
New
Directions
Death in Midsummer : And Other Stories
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Goodreads rating: 4.04
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Recognized throughout the world for his brilliance as a novelist and playwright, Yukio Mishima is also noted as a master of the short story in his native Japan, where the form is practiced as a major art. Nine of his finest stories were selected by Mishima himself for translation in this book; they represent his extraordinary ability to depict, with deftness and penetration, a wide variety of human beings in moments of significance. Often his characters are sophisticated modern Japanese who turn out to be not so liberated from the past as they had thought.In the title story, "Death in Midsummer," which is set at a beach resort, a triple tragedy becomes a cloud of doom that requires exorcising. In another, "Patriotism," a young army officer and his wife choose a way of vindicating their belief in ancient values that is as violent as it is traditional; it prefigured his own death by seppuku in November 1970. There is a story in which the sad truth of the relationship between a businessman and his former mistress is revealed through a suggestion of the unknown, and another in which a working-class couple, touching in their simple love for each other, pursue financial security by rather shocking means.Also included is one of Mishima's "modern Nō plays," remarkable for the impact which its brevity and uncanny intensity achieve. The English versions have been done by four outstanding translators: Donald Keene, Ivan Morris, Geoffrey Sargent, and Edward Seidensticker.Photograph on back cover by T. Kamiya; cover design by David Ford
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Yū Miri, Morgan Giles |
Riverhead
Books
Tokyo Ueno Station
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Goodreads rating: 3.48
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This book is a poignant and haunting exploration of Tokyo's marginalized communities. Through the lens of Kazu, a laborer haunted by his past and the traumas of natural disasters, the author provides a powerful critique of the Imperial system and sheds light on the lives of Japan's most vulnerable citizens. With its outsider's perspective and deeply felt depiction, Tokyo Ueno Station is a must-read that will leave a lasting impact on readers.
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Ginny Takemori, Kyōko Nakajima, Ian MacDonald |
Sort
Of
Books
Things Remembered And Things Forgotten
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Goodreads rating: 3.82
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This book would be a good read for those who appreciate haunting and atmospheric stories that delve into the depths of human memory and the lingering effects of war and cultural change. Through beautifully crafted prose, Kyoko Nakajima transports readers to postwar Japan, where characters grapple with fragments of the past and the ghosts that haunt their lives. With a keen eye for detail and a sense of cultural amnesia, Nakajima's stories offer poignant reflections on the enduring power of memory and the impact of history on individual lives.
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Haruki Murakami
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Vintage
First Person Singular : mind-bending new collection of short stories from the internationally acclaimed author of NORWEGIAN WOOD
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Goodreads rating: 3.54
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This collection of short stories by Haruki Murakami is a mind-bending journey into the depths of the human mind. Each story, told in the first person, explores themes of love, solitude, childhood, and memory, accompanied by Murakami's distinctive twist. Whether you're a fan of Murakami's previous works or a newcomer to his writing, you'll be captivated by the philosophical and mysterious narratives that challenge the boundaries between reality and imagination. Prepare to be taken on an unforgettable literary adventure.
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Eli K.P. William, Keiichirō Hirano |
Amazon
Crossing
A Man
$7.70
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Goodreads rating: 3.94
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This book, "A Man", is a gripping psychological thriller that takes you on a thrilling journey to unravel the truth behind a man's hidden identity. As you follow divorce attorney Akira Kido's investigation into a dead man's secrets, you'll be captivated by the layers of mystery and the twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. With its exploration of the search for identity and the complex nature of memory, this book will leave you questioning the boundaries of truth and the choices we make to create our own lives. Get ready to be engrossed in a tale that will make you question everything you thought you knew.
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This book could be a good read for someone interested in delving into the complex themes of body image, family dynamics, and personal growth. Through the stories of three women, "Breasts and Eggs" explores the struggles that women face in a society obsessed with appearance. The book captures the essence of the characters' journeys towards self-acceptance and showcases the power of resilience in the face of societal pressure. It provides a thought-provoking reflection on the importance of self-love and the complexities of familial relationships.
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Margaret Mitsutani, Yōko Tawada |
Portobello
Books
The Last Children of Tokyo
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Goodreads rating: 3.44
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Recommendation:
- This book is a beautifully written and haunting portrayal of a not-too-distant future, where the consequences of environmental disaster have transformed Japan. It explores the themes of mortality, family, and the lengths a person would go to protect their loved ones. With its poetic prose and thought-provoking storyline, "The Last Children of Tokyo" is a must-read for those who enjoy dystopian fiction with a touch of magic realism.
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Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami, Alfred Birnbaum |
Knopf
Doubleday
Publishing
Group
Underground : The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche
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Goodreads rating: 3.91
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62% off est. retail
Recommended for readers interested in true crime and cultural insights. Murakami's storytelling offers a captivating examination of a traumatic moment in Japanese history, through the eyes of those who experienced it.
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Haruki Murakami
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Knopf
Killing Commendatore : A novel
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Goodreads rating: 3.91
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Killing Commendatore is a rich exploration of art and the human experience, blending the mystical and the everyday to create a unique reading experience. Murakami's prose draws readers into a world of hidden meanings and unexpected connections, weaving together a story of love and loss with elements of suspense and the fantastic. If you enjoy novels that challenge your perceptions of reality and explore the depth of the human soul, this book is definitely worth checking out.
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Mabel Gan
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Marshall
Cavendish
International
(asia)
Pte
Ltd
The Ghost Who Pinched Me
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Goodreads rating: 4.22
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This book is a must-read for those who appreciate beautifully written stories of love, loss, and the indomitable spirit of a young girl during wartime. Through the innocent and heartfelt perspective of ten-year-old Bee Ling, readers will be drawn into the intimate world of sisterhood, discovering the power of familial bonds and the enduring strength that lies within. Mabel Gan's unflinching clarity and evocative storytelling will leave you haunted and moved long after you turn the last page.
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'Wonderfully poetic ... extraordinary freshness ... a Virginia Woolf quality' Margaret DrabbleTerritory of Light is the radiant story of a young woman, living alone in Tokyo with her two-year-old daughter. Its twelve chapters follow the first year of the narrator's separation from her husband. The novel is full of light, sometimes comforting and sometimes dangerous: sunlight streaming through windows, dappled light in the park, distant fireworks, dazzling floodwater, de-saturated streetlamps and mysterious explosions. The delicate prose is beautifully patterned: the cumulative effect is disarmingly powerful and bright after-images remain in your mind for a long time.
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Hiromi Kawakami, Allison Markin Powell |
Portobello
Books
Strange Weather in Tokyo
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Goodreads rating: 3.71
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Tsukiko is drinking alone in her local sake bar when by chance she meets one of her old high school teachers and, unable to remember his name, she falls back into her old habit of calling him 'Sensei'. After this first encounter, Tsukiko and Sensei continue to meet. Together, they share edamame beans, bottles of cold beer, and a trip to the mountains to eat wild mushrooms. As their friendship deepens, Tsukiko comes to realise that the solace she has found with Sensei might be something more.
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Philip Gabriel, Natsu Miyashita |
Black
Swan
The Forest of Wool and Steel : Winner of the Japan Booksellers' Award
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Goodreads rating: 3.78
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"The Forest of Wool and Steel" is a beautifully crafted novel that takes the reader on a melodic journey of self-discovery through the art of piano tuning. The book's unique and distinctive feature is its blend of music and spirituality, which adds a mystical touch to the story. It is a perfect read for anyone who is searching for their life's purpose, or for those who appreciate the beauty of music and its ability to transform. The exquisite illustrations throughout the book also add to the overall reading experience, making it a truly delightful read.
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Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami, Ted Goossen |
Vintage
Killing Commendatore: A Novel
$9.42
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Goodreads rating: 3.91
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The book's unique feature is its masterful blend of reality and fantasy. The protagonist's journey through the netherworld is intriguing and keeps the reader engaged. The book is great for anyone who enjoys magical realism and a touch of mystery.
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Yasunari Kawabata, Edward G. Seidensticker |
Vintage
Snow Country
$8.61
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Goodreads rating: 3.6
$8.61
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Snow Country could be a good read for users who enjoy literary fiction and are interested in Japanese culture. The book offers a vivid portrayal of Japan's snowy landscape and explores the complex themes of love, regret, and societal expectations. Kawabata's writing style is lean and evocative, making it accessible to readers who may not be familiar with Japanese literature. Overall, Snow Country is a poignant and memorable story that will leave a lasting impression on its readers.
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Kingo Ochiai, Ōgai Mori, Sanford Goldstein |
Tuttle
Pub
The Wild Geese
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Goodreads rating: 3.57
$3.88
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The Wild Geese is perfect for those seeking an emotional journey through changing times. The book's unique feature is its exploration of societal shifts and their impact on personal relationships.
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Recommendation: Parade is a captivating read that brings to life the hidden desires and struggles of its characters. Through the intertwined stories of four intertwined individuals, Yoshida offers a thought-provoking exploration of love, loneliness, and intimacy in a modern, urban environment. The novel's unique and distinctive feature lies in its ability to convey the complexities of human emotions in a candid and unsentimental way, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy character-driven plots and psychological realism. If you're looking for a gripping story that will keep you on your toes until the very end, don't miss Parade!
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Recommended for readers who enjoy intense and introspective explorations of unconventional relationships. Hotel Iris is a haunting and atmospheric novel, with the strength of its prose lying in its ability to evoke visceral emotions in the reader. The relationship depicted in the novel may be uncomfortable for some, but for those who are willing to delve into the darker reaches of desire and intimacy, it is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant experience.
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Louise Heal Kawai, Mieko Kawakami |
Pushkin
Press
Ms Ice Sandwich
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Goodreads rating: 3.79
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"Ms Ice Sandwich" could be a good read for those who enjoy coming-of-age stories with a unique twist. The book's distinctive feature is its use of a quirky obsession with a sandwich seller as a vehicle to explore the protagonist's first love and eventual heartbreak. Users would appreciate how the story manages to be both moving and funny, all the while conveying the painful and awkward period of transitioning from childhood to adolescence.
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Hiro Arikawa
|
Doubleday
The Travelling Cat Chronicles : The Life Affirming One Million copy Bestseller
$8.95
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Goodreads rating: 4.33
$8.95
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This book is a heartwarming tale of an unlikely friendship between a man and his cat, as they embark on a road trip across Japan to visit old friends. The book captures the essence of the special bond that can exist between humans and their pets, and the unexpected joys that can be found in life's detours. It is recommended for anyone who values love, friendship, and the power of small acts of kindness.
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Sam Bett, Mieko Kawakami, David Boyd |
Picador
Breasts And Eggs
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Goodreads rating: 3.87
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Breasts and Eggs delves into the complexities of female relationships and identities in modern-day Japan, with a focus on the mother-daughter dynamic. Readers seeking a thought-provoking and feminist read will find Kawakami's English language debut to be stirring, particularly in how it challenges beauty norms and explores female bodies over time.
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Ginny Tapley Takemori, Sayaka Murata |
Grove
Press
Convenience Store Woman
$7.73
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Goodreads rating: 3.69
$7.73
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This book is a great read for anyone who has ever felt like the odd one out. Through the narrative of Keiko Furukura, the author explores the ideas of societal expectations, conformity, and individualism. The book showcases how people put themselves in boxes defined by societal norms, and how difficult it is to get out of them. It's a witty, thought-provoking, and heartwarming read that delivers a powerful message on living life on one's own terms.
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Stephen Snyder, Yōko Ogawa |
Harvill
Secker
The Diving Pool
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Goodreads rating: 3.69
$7.12
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The Diving Pool is a great read for those who enjoy dark and twisted stories. Yoko Ogawa's haunting tales explore the darker side of human nature, including themes of love, obsession, and cruelty. The novellas are beautifully written and will leave you pondering on the possibilities of human behavior. It's a great read for those who enjoy psychological thrillers and don't mind exploring the darker depths of the human psyche.
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Sayaka Murata, Ginny Tapley Takemori |
Portobello
Books
Convenience Store Woman
$7.35
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Goodreads rating: 3.69
$7.35
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Convenience Store Woman would be a good read for anyone looking for a thought-provoking novel about societal expectations and individuality. The book's unique protagonist, Keiko, challenges traditional gender roles and societal expectations, making readers question their own beliefs. It is a quick read but packs a punch with its dark humor and unexpected plot twists.
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After Dark by Haruki Murakami is a surreal and dreamlike tale, perfect for those who enjoy a blend of realistic and fantastical elements. The book follows a group of characters who experience strange happenings in the middle of the night, all while exploring themes of love, isolation, and the mysteries of consciousness. Murakami's writing is atmospheric and haunting, making this a great read for fans of magical realism and otherworldly stories.
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Hiromi Kawakami, Allison Markin Powell |
Europa
Editions
The Nakano Thrift Shop
$8.86
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Goodreads rating: 3.42
$8.86
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The Nakano Thrift Shop is a beautiful and gentle novel that explores the intricacies of human relationships through the unique world of second-hand items and the people who buy and sell them. Hitomi's story of yearning for a coworker and seeking advice from Masayo, the employer's sister, is charmingly told through a series of vignettes, each revealing a secret or mystery tied to the objects in their thrift shop. The book captures the untranslatable Japanese mood and spirit, and is perfect for fans of gentle romance and slice-of-life stories.
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Edwin McClellan, Natsume Sōseki |
Regnery
Gateway
Kokoro a Novel
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Goodreads rating: 4.05
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Kokoro is a gripping tale of a man's search for meaning in modern Japan. The novel captures the essence of modernity and its impact on traditional Japanese culture. It offers a unique perspective on personal growth and the need for emotional connection amidst the isolation of modern society. Highly recommended for readers interested in exploring the complexities of human emotions and societal change.
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The Buddha in the Attic is a captivating read for those interested in immigrant experiences, particularly Japanese picture brides who settled in America. It depicts the heartbreaking reality of these women who were strangers lost in a foreign land and takes the reader through the decades, culminating in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. Julie Otsuka's haunting, empathetic prose is sure to leave readers deeply moved.
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Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel |
Doubleday
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
$7.64
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Goodreads rating: 4.34
$7.64
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"The Travelling Cat Chronicles is a must-read for animal lovers who value the human-animal bond. The unique perspective from the cat's point of view provides a refreshing take on the power of companionship and love. With stunning line drawings throughout, this book is as visually pleasing as it is emotionally impactful."
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Yukio Mishima
|
Random
House
The Sailor who Fell from Grace with the Sea
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Goodreads rating: 3.86
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Recommended for those interested in challenging coming-of-age stories. The book explores themes of disillusionment, brutality, and betrayal through the eyes of adolescent boys who reject societal norms and ideologies. The unique feature of this book is how it delves into the mindsets of these young characters and portrays their dark, twisted perspective on life. If you enjoy psychological thrillers and unconventional coming-of-age tales, this book is for you.
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John Bester, Fumiko Enchi |
Kodansha
Usa
Waiting Years, The: A Novel
$7.94
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Goodreads rating: 3.95
$7.94
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The Waiting Years is a beautifully written and nuanced exploration of the lives of women in Japan during the early 20th century. Enchi's characters are vivid and complex, and her portrayal of the shifting power dynamics within the Shirakawa family is both subtle and poignant. This book is recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven novels and stories that delve deeply into the psychology of the human experience.
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Natsume Sōseki, Edwin McClellan |
Tuttle
Publishing
Heart (English version) - Kokoro (Tuttle Classics)
$3.88
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Goodreads rating: 4.05
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Нацумэ Сосэки заслуженно считают одним из наиболее ярких авторов Японии, ключевой фигурой литературы нового времени. Его ранние работы обрели популярность благодаря яркому стилю и тематике, а две трилогии, написанные уже зрелым мастером, являются точным портретом японской интеллигенции на стыке эпох Мэйдзи и Тайсё. Центральные темы поздних романов автора — внутренний надлом, изоляция личности, кризис окружающего мира и катастрофа внутреннего. Нацумэ Сосэки известен не только художественной прозой, но также эссеистикой и поэзией. Его работы переведены на многие языки мира. Роман «Кокоро» Нацумэ Сосэки впервые увидел свет в 1914 году на страницах газеты «Асахи Симбун». Произведение состоит из трёх частей и включает в себя сто десять глав. Центральная тема романа, обозначенная в самом заглавии, — внутренний мир человека, его «кокоро» в эпоху драматичных событий, которые переживала Япония на рубеже веков и формаций. На родине автора роман является настоящим бестселлером и не раз был экранизирован. «Кокоро» — одно из первых, знаковых произведений современной японской литературы, переведённых на русский язык. В 1935 году вышел перевод академика Н. И. Конрада, а в 1943 году — перевод С. Шахматова и Х. Хираи. И в том и в другом случае название романа было переведено как «Сердце». Данное издание представляет собой третий перевод романа на русский язык.
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In Osaka in the years immediately before World War II, four aristocratic women try to preserve a way of life that is vanishing. As told by Junichiro Tanizaki, the story of the Makioka sisters forms what is arguably the greatest Japanese novel of the twentieth century, a poignant yet unsparing portrait of a family–and an entire society–sliding into the abyss of modernity.Tsuruko, the eldest sister, clings obstinately to the prestige of her family name even as her husband prepares to move their household to Tokyo, where that name means nothing. Sachiko compromises valiantly to secure the future of her younger sisters. The unmarried Yukiko is a hostage to her family’s exacting standards, while the spirited Taeko rebels by flinging herself into scandalous romantic alliances. Filled with vignettes of upper-class Japanese life and capturing both the decorum and the heartache of its protagonist, The Makioka Sisters is a classic of international literature.From the Hardcover edition.
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Lucy North, Hiromi Kawakami |
Pushkin
Press
Record Of A Night Too Brief
$3.88
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Goodreads rating: 3.22
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The Akutagawa Prize-winning stories from the author of Strange Weather in Tokyo.In these three haunting and lyrical stories, three young women experience unsettling loss and romance.In a dreamlike adventure, one woman travels through an apparently unending night with a porcelain girlfriend, mist-monsters and villainous monkeys; a sister mourns her invisible brother whom only she can still see, while the rest of her family welcome his would-be wife into their home; and an accident with a snake leads a shop girl to discover the snake-families everyone else seems to be concealing.Sensual, yearning, and filled with the tricks of memory and grief, Record of a Night Too Brief is an atmospheric trio of unforgettable tales.
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"A sense of unease permeates this disturbing and exceptional collection of stories centered on unhappy women in postwar Japan...," wrote Publishers Weekly. World Literature Today proclaimed: "Reminiscent of Flannery O’Connor’s works, Kono’s stories explore the dark, terrifying side of human nature that manifests itself in antisocial behavior." Toddler-Hunting Other Stories introduces to American readers a startlingly original voice. Winner of most of Japan’s top literary prizes for fiction, Kono Taeko writes with a disquieting and strange beauty, always foregrounding what Choice called "the great power of serious, indeed shocking events." In the title story, the protagonist loathes young girls, but she compulsively buys expensive clothes for little boys so that she can watch them dress and undress. The impersonal gaze Kono Taeko turns on this behavior transfixes the reader with a fatal question: What are we hunting for? And why? Now available in paperback for the first time, Toddler-Hunting Other Stories should fascinate any reader interested in Japanese literature––or in the growing world of transgressive fiction.
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A startling novella from the heir to Haruki Murakami and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.Trapped in Tokyo, left behind by a series of girlfriends, the narrator of Slow Boat sizes up his situation. His missteps, his violent rebellions, his tiny victories. But he is not a passive loser, content to accept all that fate hands him. He attempts one last escape to the edges of the city, holding the only safety net he has known – his dreams.Filled with lyrical longing and humour, Slow Boat captures perfectly the urge to get away and the necessity of finding yourself in a world which might never even be looking for you.
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Yamamoto Tsunetomo
|
Shelter
Harbor
Press
The Art of the Samurai
$14.54
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Goodreads rating: 4.02
$14.54
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The way of the samurai is found in death. These words, written 300 years ago by the samurai Yamamoto Tsunetomo, offer a seemingly grim introduction to a practice and philosophy that was in fact anything but morbid. Offering a fascinating glimpse into the secretive inner world of the samurai, the Hagakure remained closely guarded and was shown only to a chosen few for more than a century. This was a culture in which death was embraced, not as a morbid fascination, but as a method for eliminating fear. Yamamoto tells his readers how to foster courage, how to serve selflessly, how to become a skilled master of your own destiny, and how to infuse life with beauty while acknowledging its transience. Yamamoto's penetrating insights and profound aphorisms reflect important moral principles that still apply to us today. This masterpiece, preserved for generations in northern Kyushu by warrior chiefs as moral and practical instruction for themselves and their samurai retainers, is now presented in this beautifully illustrated edition that will enlighten anyone with an interest in Japanese culture and world literature.
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Meredith McKinney
|
Penguin
Classics
Travels with a Writing Brush : Classical Japanese Travel Writing from the Manyoshu to Basho
$10.62
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Goodreads rating: 4.02
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A rich, exquisite and original anthology that illuminates Japanese travel writing over a thousand years'Oh journey upon journey, my life is a brief moment, and I cannot hope that we will meet again'Roaming over mountains and along perilous shores, this anthology illuminates over a thousand years of Japanese travel writing. It takes in songs, diaries, tales and poetry, and ranges from famous works including The Pillow Book and the works of Basho to pieces such as the diary of a young girl who longs to return to the capital and her beloved books, or the writings of travelling monks who sleep on pillows of grass. Together they illuminate a long literary tradition, with intense poetic experience at its heart.
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Ryōtarō Shiba, Juliet Winters Carpenter |
Kodansha
America
Last Shogun: The Life Of Tokugawa Yoshinobu
$7.17
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Goodreads rating: 3.79
$7.17
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In Ryotaro Shiba's account of the life of Japan's last shogun, Perry's arrival off the coast of Japan was merely the spark that ignited the cataclysm in store for the Japanese people and their governments. It came to its real climax with the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1868, the event which forms the centerpiece of this book. The Meiji Restoration—as history calls it—toppled the shogunate, and brought a seventeen-year-old boy emperor back from the secluded Imperial Palace in Kyoto to preside over what amounted to a political and cultural revolution. With this, Japan's extraordinary self-modernization began in earnest. Coming to power just as the Tokugawa regime was suffering the worst military defeat in its history, Yoshinobu strongly suspected that the rule of the Tokugawas—the third and longest lived of Japan's three warrior governments - was swiftly becoming an anachronism. During a year of frenetic activity, he overhauled the military systems, reorganized the civil administration, promoted industrial development, and expanded foreign intercourse, with the farsighted aim of creating a unified Japan. Alarmed by these reforms, pro-imperial interests moved against him, precipitating the Boshin Civil War and the final defeat of the shogunal armies. To the surprise of his enemies, Yoshinobu capitulated. It was this surrender of authority at a crucial point that made the transfer of sovereignty relatively peaceful. He then retired to Mito and lived quietly for the rest of his life, studying the new art of photography. Ennobled a prince in the new European-style nobility of the Meiji era, he died in 1913.
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Kazuo Ishiguro
|
Vintage
International
An Artist of the Floating World
$6.33
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Goodreads rating: 3.78
$6.33
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In the face of the misery in his homeland, the artist Masuji Ono was unwilling to devote his art solely to the celebration of physical beauty. Instead, he put his work in the service of the imperialist movement that led Japan into World War II. Now, as the mature Ono struggles through the aftermath of that war, his memories of his youth and of the “floating world”—the nocturnal world of pleasure, entertainment, and drink—offer him both escape and redemption, even as they punish him for betraying his early promise. Indicted by society for its defeat and reviled for his past aesthetics, he relives the passage through his personal history that makes him both a hero and a coward but, above all, a human being.
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$6.74
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Librarian note: An alternative cover for this ISBN can be found here.In his highly acclaimed debut, A Pale View of Hills, Kazuo Ishiguro tells the story of Etsuko, a Japanese woman now living alone in England, dwelling on the recent suicide of her daughter. Retreating into the past, she finds herself reliving one particular hot summer in Nagasaki, when she and her friends struggled to rebuild their lives after the war. But then as she recalls her strange friendship with Sachiko - a wealthy woman reduced to vagrancy - the memories take on a disturbing cast.
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Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami, Ted Goossen |
Knopf
Men Without Women : Stories
$15.24
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Goodreads rating: 3.76
$15.24
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This book could be a good read for those who are interested in stories about life and relationships. The stories in this book have a unique way of exploring the complex emotions of characters without important women in their lives. Each story is filled with wry humor and pathos, and leaves readers with more questions than answers. Murakami brings out the loneliness in each character and shows how they seek a connection with others, making it a relatable and moving read for those who enjoy thought-provoking literature.
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Akira Yoshimura
|
Canongate
Books
Ltd
One Man's Justice
$6.98
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Goodreads rating: 3.93
$6.98
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Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been destroyed. Japan is in ruins and occupied by the Americans.Takuya, an ex-officer in the Imperial Army, has returned to his native village only to learn that the Occupation authorities are intensifying their efforts to apprehend suspected war criminals. And those who are found guilty are being sentenced to death.Fearing that his role in the execution of a number of American pilots, Takuya takes to the road and becomes a fugitive in his own country.One Man's Justice is both a reflection on the murky reality of war and a page-turning novel of pursuit and escape.
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Laura Imai Messina, Lucy Rand |
Manilla
Press
The Phone Box At The Edge Of The World
$6.06
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Goodreads rating: 3.86
$6.06
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We all have something to tell those we have lost.On a windy hill in Japan, in a garden overlooking the sea stands a disused phone box. For years, people have travelled to visit the phone box, to pick up the receiver and speak into the wind: to pass their messages to loved ones no longer with us.When Yui loses her mother and daughter in the tsunami, she is plunged into despair and wonders how she will ever carry on. One day she hears of the phone box, and decides to make her own pilgrimage there, to speak once more to the people she loved the most. But when you have lost everything, the right words can be the hardest thing to find.Then she meets Takeshi, a bereaved husband whose own daughter has stopped talking in the wake of their loss. What happens next will warm your heart, even when it feels as though it is breaking.
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$6.50
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The exquisite last novel from Nobel Prize-winning author Yasunari Kawabata.Ineko has lost the ability to see things. At first it was a ping-pong ball, then it was her fiancé. The doctors call it 'body blindness', and she is placed in a psychiatric clinic to recover. As Ineko's mother and fiancé walk along the riverbank after visiting time, they wonder: is her condition a form of madness - or an expression of love? Exploring the distance between us, and what we say without words, Kawabata's transcendent final novel is the last word from a master of Japanese literature.
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Yasunari Kawabata, Edward G. Seidensticker |
Penguin
Books
Snow Country
$7.30
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Goodreads rating: 3.6
$7.30
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Shimamura is tired of the bustling city. He takes the train through the snow to the mountains of the west coast of Japan to meet with a geisha he believes he loves. Beautiful and innocent, Komako is tightly bound by the rules of a rural geisha and lives a life of servitude and seclusion that is alien to Shimamura – their love offers no freedom to either of them.Snow Country is both delicate and subtle, reflecting in Kawabata's exact, lyrical writing the unspoken love and the understated passion of the young Japanese couple.
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'Life for sale. Use me as you wish. I am a twenty-seven-year-old male. Discretion guaranteed. Will cause no bother at all.'When Hanio Yamada realizes the future holds nothing of worth to him, he puts his life for sale in a Tokyo newspaper, thus unleashing a series of unimaginable exploits.A world of revenge, murderous mobsters, hidden cameras, a vampire woman, poisonous carrots, espionage and code-breaking, a junkie heiress, home-made explosives and decoys reveals itself to the unwitting Hanio. Is there anything he can do to stop it?
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