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A review by sam_ellis26
The Woman in the Dunes by Kōbō Abe
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The first third really grabbed me. However, by the middle, it's really just a book about a (at times pretty insufferable) guy stuck in a hole and gets quite monotonous. It does pick up during his escape attempt towards the end, however, in the middle I found myself skimming chapters just to get through it. Furthermore, the casual sexism and misogyny was tiresome.
There was some lovely writing, however. Also, many of the main character's meditations on sand and its properties were thoughtful and surprisingly generative. Overall, I'm not upset to have read it but I doubt I'll return to it again.
There was some lovely writing, however. Also, many of the main character's meditations on sand and its properties were thoughtful and surprisingly generative. Overall, I'm not upset to have read it but I doubt I'll return to it again.