The Ark Sakura
by Kobo Abe
|
|
| published
|
March 1989
by Vintage
|
| binding
| Paperback |
| isbn
|
0679721614
(isbn13: 9780679721611)
|
| pages
| 352 |
| date added
|
12-14-06
|
|
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Read in December, 2007
This is a terrifically inventive novel, and an undeniably fun ride which can be finished easily in a day or two. It is immediately recognizable as an Abe work, not only through the narrative voice, but the types of characters and situations depicted as well. In these aspects, there are deep resonances between this and The Box Man, but it expands greatly on the idea of withdrawal from society, which was only peripheral to the central concern of identity in the earlier book.
The protagonist's o...more
This is a terrifically inventive novel, and an undeniably fun ride which can be finished easily in a day or two. It is immediately recognizable as an Abe work, not only through the narrative voice, but the types of characters and situations depicted as well. In these aspects, there are deep resonances between this and The Box Man, but it expands greatly on the idea of withdrawal from society, which was only peripheral to the central concern of identity in the earlier book.
The protagonist's obsession with impending nuclear apocalypse at first glimpse seems to be a mere reflection of prevailing global sentiment in the 80s (which is when the novel was written, 1984 to be exact), but one cannot forget Japan's own unique position as being the only country actually devastated by atomic warfare - a great deal of Japanese cultural output is still informed by this historical singularity. And one must not fail to see past this veneer and understand that Abe's characters - Mole and Box Man alike - have chosen to confront the alienation inherent to modern society through self-imposed exile, an attempt to retain some agency over their marginal social fate. They are self-judged to be ugly in countenance, stature and soul, and we meet them on the point of their attempted departure from social life, or rather its incompatibility with their particular personal philosophies - which themselves may simply be coping strategies that have grown to the point of monomania.
There's more to be said, but for now I will just note that while the novel is quite rich, it is damaged by a tendency to force-feed its thematics in a rather preachy style at times. While The Box Man accomplished this through the bizarre narrative shifts occurring a little after the first half of the novel, here Abe grinds his axe through Mole's thoughts and speech. Not quite as offensive as when Gombrowicz stops a novel to wax philosophical for a chapter or two, but still a little jarring that he seems to feel the need to spell out what the interplay of characters and situations in the novel seem to do a fairly competent job of articulating on their own....less
Read in November, 2005
I gave Kobo Abe his second chance with this book--the first, which I won't name, left a horrible taste in my mouth, combining frigid* violence, medical paranoia, and semi-bestiality.** This book, on the other hand, was a treat, and as a result, I have kept an eye out for his other works at library booksales.
In "The Ark Sakura," Abe sets up a group of social outcasts--and his social outcasts really are social outcasts, not just depressed teenagers--inside a technologically advanc...more
I gave Kobo Abe his second chance with this book--the first, which I won't name, left a horrible taste in my mouth, combining frigid* violence, medical paranoia, and semi-bestiality.** This book, on the other hand, was a treat, and as a result, I have kept an eye out for his other works at library booksales.
In "The Ark Sakura," Abe sets up a group of social outcasts--and his social outcasts really are social outcasts, not just depressed teenagers--inside a technologically advanced bomb-shelter. What do you get when you compose a miniature society of those who just couldn't cope with "regular" society? Not good things. But, you do get an excellent read. I put this one away in about 4 days.
RATING: 3/5 Stars = Recommended, But Not Urgent
* For a good definition of what I mean by "frigid", see John Gardner's "Art of Fiction," Chapter 5, esp. pp. 117-119.
** You might think "semi-bestiality" is an impossible term, sort of like, "semi-pregnant," but I assure you, Mr. Abe has found a way to provide this term with a definition which, though physiologically suspect, is still somehow comprehensible....less
Read in November, 2007
This book is kind of like if Dwight Shrewt had a slightly less capable cousin in Japan, and you got to read about it.
Read in March, 2008
A lesser Abe with interesting moments.
Ping
marked it as to-read
07/16/08
bookshelves:
to-read
book data (includes all editions)
avg rating
(all editions):
3.92 (72 ratings)
avg rating
(this edition): 3.86
(66 ratings)
number of reviews: 5
other editions
[close]
The Ark Sakura (Unknown Binding)
isbn: 0436000237
[close]
Ark Sakura, The (Hardcover)
isbn: 0394558367
[close]
Hakobune Sakura Maru (Unknown Binding)
isbn: 4106006413
