Really well done
The structure makes it easy to dip in and out of. Great for a quiet evening.
Chris Okafor · 5/12/2026
$3.99
Instant download after payment
Fiction & Sci-Fi
The Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories
by Ltd, Penguin Books
5.0 · 1 reviews · 5 copies sold
Ebook specifications
- Pages
- —
- Reading time
- —
- File size
- 0.7 MB
- Published
- 6/27/2018
- ISBN
- 9780141395630
- Formats
- EPUB
Book synopsis
Curated by Jay Rubin with a stunning introduction by Haruki Murakami, this anthology presents a diverse 'lucky grab bag' of Japanese fiction spanning over a century. The collection moves beyond a dry chronological history, organizing stories by evocative themes such as 'Dread,' 'Modern Life and Other Nonsense,' and 'Disasters.' From the foundational modernism of Natsume Sōseki to the contemporary brilliance of Kawakami Mieko, these tales explore the profound tensions between East and West, tradition and modernity.
What you'll take away
- Discover a non-chronological thematic arrangement that prioritizes reader enjoyment over academic history.
- Explore the 'I-novel' tradition and why contemporary giants like Murakami initially resisted it.
- Gain insight into how Japanese writers processed major national traumas, including the 1923 Great Kantō Earthquake and the 2011 nuclear meltdown.
- Engage with a diverse roster of voices, from early pioneers like Mori Ōgai to modern feminist writers like Yoshimoto Banana.
- Understand the psychological impact of Westernization on the Japanese intellectual identity through classic novellas and short stories.
#japanese literature
#short stories
#anthology
#haruki murakami
#modernism
#cultural history
About the author
Ltd, Penguin Books
Penguin Books Ltd is a global publishing house recognized for its extensive classics and contemporary literature collections. This volume is edited by Jay Rubin, a renowned translator of Japanese literature and scholar.
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