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The Man with the Compound Eyes

A novel from the Vintage Earth collection
Series: Vintage Earth
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( 3,265 ratings, 490 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Man with the Compound Eyes by Wu Ming-Yi weaves an enthralling tale set on a remote island threatened by an enormous trash vortex from the Pacific. The narrative intertwines the lives of Atile'i, a young man from a sea-bound tribe, and Alice, a grieving woman living in seclusion. As their worlds converge, they embark on a journey of discovery, addressing themes of environmental issues, culture, and human connection.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy immersive tales where ecological complexity meets human resilience. Set on an island facing environmental collapse, it weaves together global myth and personal stories, creating a tapestry of hope and survival with a touch of magical realism. If you’re drawn to narratives exploring the intersection between nature and humanity, you'll find this read both thought-provoking and captivating.

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The Man with the Compound Eyes

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

VINTAGE EARTH - A series of transformative novels with the environment at their heart.

'You must love the land, my children, and ring it in with your love'

On the island of Wayo Wayo, every second son must leave on the day he turns fifteen as a sacrifice to the Sea God. Atile'i, however, is determined to defy destiny and become the first to survive. Across the sea, Alice Shih's life is interrupted when a vast trash vortex comes crashing onto the shore of Taiwan, bringing Atile'i with it.

In the aftermath of the catastrophe, Atile'i and Alice retrace her late husband's footsteps into the mountains, hoping to solve the mystery of her son's disappearance. On their journey, memories will be challenged, an unusual bond formed, and a dark secret uncovered that will force Alice to question everything she thought she knew.

'A haunting and evocative tale, beautifully told. I wept at the description of the dying whales and the approaching tsunami... I think this work will be a classic' Hugh Howey, author of Wool

VINTAGE EARTH is a series of books that reveals our ever-changing relationship with the environment. These are stories old and young, set in worlds real or imagined, that allow us to explore our connection to the natural world. Transformative, wild, surprising and essential, these novels take on the most urgent story of our times.

Series: Vintage Earth

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Man with the Compound Eyes is praised for its haunting and evocative storytelling, with descriptions that are both moving and beautiful. Reviewers have noted its astonishing and imaginative narrative, drawing comparisons to Haruki Murakami for its seamless blend of different realms. The novel is recognised for its unique and tender exploration of human and environmental vulnerability, promising to resonate widely with readers.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781784877903

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 July 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 253g

Pages: 368

About the Author

Wu Ming-Yi is a Taiwanese writer, painter, designer, photographer, literary professor, butterfly scholar, environmental activist, traveller and blogger. He is the author of the novel Routes in the Dream (2007), as well as a number of non-fiction books and short story collections. The Man with the Compound Eyes is his first novel to be translated into English. Darryl Sterk has translated numerous short stories from Taiwan for The Chinese Pen Quarterly, and now teaches translation in the Graduate Program in Translation and Interpretation at National Taiwan University.

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