The Woman in the Dunes
This book is in a Controlled Release!
8 journalers for this copy...
From the Inside Flap-
One of the premier Japanese novels of the twentieth century, The Women in the Dunes combines the essence of myth, suspense, and the existential novel. In a remote seaside village, Niki Jumpei, a teacher and amateur entomologist, is held captive with a young woman at the bottom of a vast sand pit where, Sisyphus-like, they are pressed into shoveling off the ever-advancing sand dunes that threaten the village.
From the Back Cover-
"Abe follows with meticulous precision his hero's constantly shifting physical, emotional and psychological states. He also presents...everyday existence in a sand pit with such compelling realism that these passages serve both to heighten the credibility of the bizarre plot and subtly increase the interior tensions of the novel."
-- The New York Times Book Review
One of the premier Japanese novels of the twentieth century, The Women in the Dunes combines the essence of myth, suspense, and the existential novel. In a remote seaside village, Niki Jumpei, a teacher and amateur entomologist, is held captive with a young woman at the bottom of a vast sand pit where, Sisyphus-like, they are pressed into shoveling off the ever-advancing sand dunes that threaten the village.
From the Back Cover-
"Abe follows with meticulous precision his hero's constantly shifting physical, emotional and psychological states. He also presents...everyday existence in a sand pit with such compelling realism that these passages serve both to heighten the credibility of the bizarre plot and subtly increase the interior tensions of the novel."
-- The New York Times Book Review
Excellent writing. Well paced and riviting. I think any fan of Haruki Murakami would enjoy this book. Starting a US/Canada bookring, PM me to join!
The bookring is now closed.
The bookring is now closed.
The Bookring list:
1) titihood (US/CA)
2) sqdancer (US/CA)
3) karenzero (US)
4) squeakychu (US)
5) zugenia (US/CA)
6) kitiarablue (US)
back to me - petaloka
1) titihood (US/CA)
2) sqdancer (US/CA)
3) karenzero (US)
4) squeakychu (US)
5) zugenia (US/CA)
6) kitiarablue (US)
back to me - petaloka
Mailed out to titihood today. Enjoy!
This was waiting for me when I arrived back in Montreal - a nice welcome home present! Will start reading it very soon, looking forward to finding out what it is like.
I found this book quite interesting, it is very introspective and at times slightly annoying (maybe because I wanted more to happen) but the questions that it raises about life are worth pondering on. Have sent in the post to sqdancer.
Arrived safe and sound. The stamps aren't even cancelled! Looks interesting, but I must put it down and finish the books I'm currently reading.
Very thought provoking. I think this is one of those books that needs to be re-read to be fully appreciated. Thank you for sharing.
Will be sent Air Mail this afternoon.
Will be sent Air Mail this afternoon.
Just received today. Will start ASAP!
Journal Entry 10 by KarenZero at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (6/28/2005 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
On its way!
I enjoyed this book but I was a little surprised at the ending...although I suppose I shouldn't have been. Oh well! Thanks for sharing the book!
On its way!
I enjoyed this book but I was a little surprised at the ending...although I suppose I shouldn't have been. Oh well! Thanks for sharing the book!
Got the book today. I'm very excited to get it.
It looks very interesting. The story should be a be a complete surprise to me since I know nothing about the book or the author. Thanks for sharing it, petaloka!
Edit 07/11/05: I love this book so far! Very mysterious...
It looks very interesting. The story should be a be a complete surprise to me since I know nothing about the book or the author. Thanks for sharing it, petaloka!
Edit 07/11/05: I love this book so far! Very mysterious...
The book was easy to read and gripping. I found it very hard to put down. I kept on trying to figure out what it all meant as I was reading it. I'm not sure I ever came to a conclusion. The ending (which I will not reveal) was a complete surprise to me.
Fasinating book! Thanks, petaloka for sharing it. It will have me looking for other books by this same author.
This book is now in the mail to zugenia in Rhode Island.
Fasinating book! Thanks, petaloka for sharing it. It will have me looking for other books by this same author.
This book is now in the mail to zugenia in Rhode Island.
This arrived safely in Rhode Island! I'll read it soon and pass it along.
I've been reading this book early in the morning, when I can't sleep because I'm anxious about finishing my dissertation. I must say, I'm not sure this sisyphusian nightmare, in which a man must learn to endure the immeasurable passage of time while trying endlessly to dig himself out of a hole, is quite the right thing to read when one is A. suffering from insomnia and B. worrying about ever completing a dissertation. That said, it is a fascinating read, and I'm glad to be introduced finally to Kobo Abe's work. I would recommend it to anyone who, like me, is a fan of both Murakami and Kafka.
Thanks to all for sharing! On to enidq next.
Thanks to all for sharing! On to enidq next.
Arrived today! Will journal again as soon as I've finished reading it....
Wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but it was very interesting anyway. I did wish there was a little more to the ending, but overall it was thought provoking! Thank you, petaloka, for sharing!
On it's way home to petaloka!
Glad to see the the book back home! I'll have to decide what to do with it next. Thanks everyone.
Reserved for a book relay.
Mailed to Zmrzlina in a book relay today. Enjoy!
Many years ago I took an undergraduate course in contemporary Japanese literature and film. One of the films we watched was The Woman in the Dunes. The film is disturbing, compelling and lingers long after the final credits. I think the book will be all that and more.
Thank you petaloka for sending this to me. I'll post again when I've read it.
Thank you petaloka for sending this to me. I'll post again when I've read it.
This will be released sometime this weekend in Rhinebeck or vicinity. I will post more details when I know them.
