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The Box Man

By Kobo Abe
Series: Penguin Modern 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 Box Man by Kobo Abe explores the surreal journey of a man who chooses to withdraw from society by living inside a cardboard box. The narrative delves into themes of identity, solitude, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion, as the protagonist documents his experiences and encounters with other mysterious characters. This introspective tale challenges readers to reflect on the nature of human existence and the societal constructs we navigate.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2600
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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 intriguing novel if you are captivated by stories that delve into themes of isolation and identity. Set in a surreal landscape, it explores the journey of a man who chooses to live inside a box, offering a profound and philosophical examination of existence. The narrative's unique perspective and abstract exploration of human consciousness may particularly appeal to fans of thought-provoking and unconventional fiction.

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The Box Man

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 Box Man by Kobo Abe is an existential and entertaining masterpiece.

"This is the record of a box man."

The streets of Tokyo have been seeing a strange phenomenon recently—people who have decided to live their lives in a box on the street. Behind their cut-out eyeholes, they sit and watch from behind their four cardboard walls.

Our nameless narrator, at first repulsed by the box men, slowly becomes drawn into the anonymity and voyeuristic life inside a box. As his identity gradually slips away and he becomes obsessed with watching an intriguing young nurse, we too become privy to the schizophrenic and seductive unreality of a box man's life.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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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 Box Man by Kobo Abe is praised for its unique exploration of eccentricity, captivating readers from start to finish with its edgy narrative. It showcases an impressive ability to craft surreal and dreamlike experiences reminiscent of Kafka's work.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241454596

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 October 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by E. Dale Saunders

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 125g

Pages: 160

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Kobo Abe Literary Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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About the Author

Kobo Abe was born in Tokyo in 1924, grew up in Manchuria, and returned to Japan in his early twenties. Before his death in 1993, Abe was considered his country's foremost living novelist. His novels have earned many literary awards and prizes, and have all been bestsellers in Japan. They include The Woman in the Dunes, The Ark Sakura, The Face of Another, The Box Man and The Ruined Map.

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