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Questions About The Woman in the Dunes

by Kōbō Abe

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Answered Questions (4)

Has anyone seen the 1964 movie directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara? I saw it perhaps 30 years ago, and still remember it! Haunting, amazing!

Shelley It's on my list to watch - the reviews of the movie seem to be excellent…moreIt's on my list to watch - the reviews of the movie seem to be excellent(less)

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Do you think I would like this book?

Kaly Forrest When I like a book, I try never see its movie. Kobo Abe's novels are special to me, I love his psychological craft and The Women In the Dunes is a fin…moreWhen I like a book, I try never see its movie. Kobo Abe's novels are special to me, I love his psychological craft and The Women In the Dunes is a fine one. I don't see nothing dark about it, you just slowly watching how a human mind can be manipulated. I read it in two translations, both were amazing.(less)

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I enjoyed this book very much - could anybody recommend another enjoyable one? Thanks.

Nikos Dunno The claustrophobic atmosphere of the book reminded me a lot of Kafka's The Trial. Give it a read if you haven't already and I hope you'll like it as m…moreThe claustrophobic atmosphere of the book reminded me a lot of Kafka's The Trial. Give it a read if you haven't already and I hope you'll like it as much as I did.(less)

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Is this book better than Secret Rendezvous? Is the atmosphere similar? It was the first and only book I have ever read from this author and it sort of scared me and creeped me out. It was too nightmareish for my taste, which is unusual because I quite like surreal stuff. I guess I found all those sexually obsessed characters too disgusting...

Boz Reacher This one's pretty sexy too…moreThis one's pretty sexy too(less)

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Unanswered Questions (3)

I think I understand how condensation works but I still don't completely get how to retrieve water from a sand dune and the idea that the sand dune is one big pump. Can someone explain it to me please?

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Was chapter 20 complete gibberish to anyone else? The one where the man ruminates on the nature of sex and "spiritual rape"? Was this a case of "lost in translation" because just about the whole chapter went into my eyes and out of my ears.

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Someone called the woman a 'sex object' in their review. Is there a large amount of objectification in this story? I notice that when it's excessive, like in King's novels, it puts me off the story.

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