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kimbofo's review against another edition
3.0
The Boy in the Earth is the latest novel by Japanese writer Fuminori Nakamura to be translated into English. I had read two of his earlier works — The Gun (translated in 2016) and The Thief (translated in 2012) — to be interested enough to pre-order this one, which arrived in the post a couple of weeks ago.
First published in 2005, this book was Nakamura’s fifth novel. Winner of the Akutagawa Prize — one of Japans most important literary awards presented twice a year since 1935 — I don’t think it stacks up against the previous two I have read, but it’s a quick, haunting read nonetheless. If you’re feeling a bit low I would caution against reading it though — The Boy in the Earth plumbs some seriously dark territory and has a strong nihilistic streak running through it.
It’s narrated in the first person by a young Tokyo taxi driver, who has obsessive fantasies about dying. In each of these fantasies he envisions himself returning to the earth, being subsumed by the ground and becoming at one with the dirt around him.
It’s only mid-way through the book that the reader comes to understand the reasons for this strange obsession.
To read the rest of my review, please visit my blog.
First published in 2005, this book was Nakamura’s fifth novel. Winner of the Akutagawa Prize — one of Japans most important literary awards presented twice a year since 1935 — I don’t think it stacks up against the previous two I have read, but it’s a quick, haunting read nonetheless. If you’re feeling a bit low I would caution against reading it though — The Boy in the Earth plumbs some seriously dark territory and has a strong nihilistic streak running through it.
It’s narrated in the first person by a young Tokyo taxi driver, who has obsessive fantasies about dying. In each of these fantasies he envisions himself returning to the earth, being subsumed by the ground and becoming at one with the dirt around him.
It’s only mid-way through the book that the reader comes to understand the reasons for this strange obsession.
To read the rest of my review, please visit my blog.
samdeoliveira44's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
oysterkatcher's review against another edition
4.0
There's something about the nonchalant-ness of the narrators in Japanese literature that is very striking to me. It seems that, no matter the situation, they always manage to view it through a very unique (and yet simultaneously blase) manner. Nakamura's narrator is no different--despite the intense and sometimes very graphic depictions of death and near-death, they seem almost bored with it. It makes for a fascinating novel, while being nice and short as well.
peregrineb's review against another edition
4.0
“A depressed taxi driver and his alcoholic girlfriend stumble through life. They both hate living. That’s it!” - Sam who is 100% correct.
I loved that shit though!
I loved that shit though!
spirallycoiled's review against another edition
3.0
This was my third Nakamura book this year. And so far all books have been different. Different in feel, different in stories.
I found that one scene where the narrator was thinking of jumping off a building very difficult to read. But that may have been the target of the author, to make readers uncomfortable. So I don't have anything against him.
Overall, a good read.
I found that one scene where the narrator was thinking of jumping off a building very difficult to read. But that may have been the target of the author, to make readers uncomfortable. So I don't have anything against him.
Overall, a good read.
dori_e's review against another edition
Writing style made it difficult to know which person was speaking when MC was talking to people. Story went off on tangents occasionally.
chroniclerofcreepy's review against another edition
Not sure how I feel yet. This is one of those that's a bit hard to follow because the narrator's sanity is questionable.
koguma's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
vminton706's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Honestly pretty forgettable the main character deff just needed to go to therapy along with his gf lol but I did think it was interesting how both them refused to acknowledge their grief her for her lost child and him for his lost childhood and they couldn’t see how they could heal each other (though by the ending who knows)