Ruined Map - Softcover
Of all the great Japanese novelists, Kobe Abe was indubitably the most versatile. With The Ruined Map, he crafted a mesmerizing literary crime novel that combines the narrative suspense of Chandler with the psychological depth of Dostoevsky.
Mr. Nemuro, a respected salesman, disappeared over half a year ago, but only now does his alluring yet alcoholic wife hire a private eye. The nameless detective has but two clues: a photo and a matchbook. With these he embarks upon an ever more puzzling pursuit that leads him into the depths of Tokyo's dangerous underworld, where he begins to lose the boundaries of his own identity. Surreal, fast-paced, and hauntingly dreamlike, Abeā€™s masterly novel delves into the unknowable mysteries of the human mind.
Translated from the Japanese by E. Dale Saunders.
Mr. Nemuro, a respected salesman, disappeared over half a year ago, but only now does his alluring yet alcoholic wife hire a private eye. The nameless detective has but two clues: a photo and a matchbook. With these he embarks upon an ever more puzzling pursuit that leads him into the depths of Tokyo's dangerous underworld, where he begins to lose the boundaries of his own identity. Surreal, fast-paced, and hauntingly dreamlike, Abeā€™s masterly novel delves into the unknowable mysteries of the human mind.
Translated from the Japanese by E. Dale Saunders.
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From the Back Cover:
“A disquieting and original work of art.”–The New York Times
“A compelling tour-de-force.... A horror story of such magnitude that it stuns the mind.”–The New York Times Book Review
“An exciting, imaginative, and entertaining novel.”–San Francisco Chronicle
About the Author:
“A compelling tour-de-force.... A horror story of such magnitude that it stuns the mind.”–The New York Times Book Review
“An exciting, imaginative, and entertaining novel.”–San Francisco Chronicle
Kobo Abe was born in Tokyo in 1924, grew up in Manchuria, and returned to Japan in his early twenties. In 1948 he received a medical degree from Tokyo Imperial University, but he never practiced medicine. Before his death in 1993, Abe was considered his country's foremost living novelist, and was also widely known as a dramatist. His novels have earned many literary awards and prizes, and have all been best sellers in Japan. They include The Woman in the Dunes, Kangaroo Notebook, The Ark Sakura, The Face of Another, The Box Man, and The Ruined Map.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherPerigee Trade
- Publication date1981
- ISBN 10 0399504702
- ISBN 13 9780399504709
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages299
- Rating
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The Ruined Map.
Published by
G.P. Putnam's Sons: Perigee Books, New York, NY
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0399504702
ISBN 13: 9780399504709
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Book Description Paperback. Near Fine in Wraps: shows foxing to the outside edges; just a hint of rubbing to the extremitis; else flawless; the binding remains square and secure; the text is clean. Free of creases to the panels. Free of creases to the backstrip. Free of creased or dog-eared pages in the text. Free of any ownership names, dates, addresses, notations, inscriptions, stamps, or labels. A handsome nearly-new copy, structurally sound and tightly bound, showing the mildest wear and a noticeable cosmetic flaw. The text pages and exterior are bright and clean. Corner tips are sharp. Close to 'As New'. NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. 8vo. (8 x 5.5 x 0.75 inches). 299 pages. Translated from the Japanese by E. Dale Saunders. Language: English. Weight: 12 ounces. First Edition thus [1980]; Third Printing. Trade Paperback. First Edition thus [1980]; Third Printing. Seller Inventory # 56040
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