false<![CDATA[The Crazy Iris and Other Stories of the Atomic Aftermath]]>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172090923m/137812.jpg1378122<div>Edited by one of Japan’s leading and internationally acclaimed writers, this collection of short stories was compiled to mark the fortieth anniversary of the August 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Here some of Japan’s best and most representative writers chronicle and re-create the impact of this tragedy on the daily lives of peasants, city professionals, artists, children, and families. From the “crazy” iris that grows out of season to the artist who no longer paints in color, the simple details described in these superbly crafted stories testify to the enormity of change in Japanese life, as well as in the future of our civilization. Included are “The Crazy Iris” by Masuji Ibuse, “Summer Flower” by Tamiki Hara, “The Land of Heart’s Desire” by Tamiki Hara, “Human Ashes” by Katsuzo Oda, “Fireflies” by Yoka Ota, “The Colorless Paintings” by Ineko Sata, “The Empty Can” by Kyoko Hayashi, “The House of Hands” by Mitsuharu Inoue, and “The Rite” by Hiroko Takenishi.</div>11100322191985The Crazy Iris and Other Stories of the Atomic Aftermathtotal:34|5:16|4:14|3:4|2:0|1:0|3414883550falsefalseThu May 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008Sat May 17 23:21:42 -0700 2008Sat May 17 23:52:21 -0700 2008 Much more humane than John Hersey's excellent but detached Hiroshima. Most of the authors were very young children when the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima occurred; this makes the stories even more poignant when they recall those events of August 1945.