JapanNewbie

Woman in the Dunes by Abe Kobo

Posted on 11. Feb, 2008 @ 10:07 pm by harvey in Books, Media Views: 590

I’m currently reading Woman in the Dunes by Abe Kobo in Japanese “with” a friend over the internet.

We kind of pace ourselves and discuss via email every few chapters or so. I have found that reading with other people is a good way to keep the momentum going, and also a great way to ensure you don’t just casually skip over the stuff you don’t understand immediately. The book is great. Very creepy. Very intense.

I without giving any of the plot away, it’s basically about a teacher from Tokyo who is a hobbyist bug-catcher. One weekend he takes a trip into the desert to look for a rare species and ends up getting stuck there – held against his will in a strange village. The story involves his battle with the elements, his relationship with the woman that he is forced to live with, and his attempts at escape.

I had seen the Woman in the Dunes movie from 1964 way back when, but had mostly forgotten the plot. I recently re-watched the movie and really enjoyed it. I don’t think it really could be classified as a horror flick, but it is certainly creepy and intense. I guess I would be tempted to give it the “Japanese English” title of “human drama”… With a rather psycho twist. I have heard of it being compared to Alfred Hitchcock films. I can see the similarities.

One last thought about the movie… It made me thirsty. I feel like I have sand in my mouth just thinking about it!

Has anyone read this in English? Did you enjoy it? Any other recommendations? Let’s hear it!

- Harvey