100% NZ-owned | 80,000+ Books In NZ πŸ“š

Today Only: 20% Off When You Buy 2+ Stationery Items! 🎨

The Life of a Stupid Man

3.68 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 9,941 ratings, 1,388 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 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.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of The Life of a Stupid Man. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

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.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The Life of a Stupid Man

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

View all

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

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.

Also by Ryunosuke Akutagawa

View all

More from General Fiction

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.