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The Life of a Stupid Man

By Ryunosuke Akutagawa
Penguin Classics
Series: Penguin Little Black Classics
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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 Life of a Stupid Man by Ryunosuke Akutagawa offers a poignant glimpse into the author's own life through a series of autobiographical vignettes. The narrative explores themes of existential despair, artistic ambition, and the relentless pursuit of meaning, capturing the nuances of Akutagawa's personal struggles and reflective insights. This introspective journey sheds light on the human condition with candid and stirring honesty.
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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?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate thought-provoking stories that offer deep psychological insight. It's an intriguing exploration of the complexities of human nature, depicting the struggle between personal identity and societal expectations. Fans of poignant, introspective writing that captures the human experience with both simplicity and depth will find this captivating.

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Includes autobiographical stories from one of Japan's masters of modernist story-telling - Ryunosuke Akutagawa (1892-1927).

Japan's modernist master explores family, art and the fear of madness in exquisite autobiographical pieces and a short story.

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

The Life of a Stupid Man is part of the Little Black Classics series, launched to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary.

"What is the life of a human being - a drop of dew, a flash of lightning? This is so sad, so sad."

This collection features autobiographical stories from Ryunosuke Akutagawa, one of Japan's masters of modernist storytelling. These pieces offer a glimpse into his introspective view on life and existence.

The Little Black Classics range celebrates the vast diversity and reach of Penguin Classics. With 80 books released in honour of Penguin's 80th birthday, the series spans the globe and centuries, taking readers from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th-century California and the Russian steppe.

The series includes stories that are both lyrical and savage, poems that are epic and intimate, essays that are satirical and inspirational, and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions. The Life of a Stupid Man is a compelling addition to this rich tapestry of literature, representing a profound moment in modernist storytelling.

Series: Penguin Little Black Classics

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141397726

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 February 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Jay Rubin
  • Translated by Jay Rubin

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 7.0mm

Width: 110.0mm

Height: 163.0mm

Weight: 55g

Pages: 64

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: General Fiction Ryunosuke Akutagawa Series: Penguin Little Black Classics

About the Author

Ryunosuke Akutagawa was a short-story writer, poet and essayist, and one of the first Japanese modernists translated into English. He was born in Tokyo in 1892, and began writing for student publications at the age of ten. He graduated from Tokyo University with an English Literature degree and worked as a teacher before becoming a full-time writer in 1919. His mother had suffered a mental breakdown shortly after his birth and he was plagued by fear of inherited insanity all his life. He killed himself in 1927.

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