Warehouse Stock Clearance Sale

Grab a bargain today!


Sign Up for Fishpond's Best Deals Delivered to You Every Day
Go
A Personal Matter

Rating
14,294 Ratings by Goodreads |
Already own it? Write a review
Format
Paperback, 214 pages
Published
USA, 1 January 1994

Oe's most important novel, A Personal Matter, has been called by The New York Times "close to a perfect novel." In A Personal Matter, Oe has chosen a difficult, complex though universal subject: how does one face and react to the birth of an abnormal child? Bird, the protagonist, is a young man of 27 with antisocial tendencies who more than once in his life, when confronted with a critical problem, has "cast himself adrift on a sea of whisky like a besotted Robinson Crusoe." But he has never faced a crisis as personal or grave as the prospect of life imprisonment in the cage of his newborn infant-monster. Should he keep it? Dare he kill it? Before he makes his final decision, Bird's entire past seems to rise up before him, revealing itself to be a nightmare of self-deceit. The relentless honesty with which Oe portrays his hero -- or antihero -- makes Bird one of the most unforgettable characters in recent fiction.


Our Price
HK$132
Ships from USA Estimated delivery date: 18th Feb - 26th Feb from USA
Free Shipping Worldwide

Buy Together
+
Buy together with Havoc at a great price!
Buy Together
HK$282

Product Description

Oe's most important novel, A Personal Matter, has been called by The New York Times "close to a perfect novel." In A Personal Matter, Oe has chosen a difficult, complex though universal subject: how does one face and react to the birth of an abnormal child? Bird, the protagonist, is a young man of 27 with antisocial tendencies who more than once in his life, when confronted with a critical problem, has "cast himself adrift on a sea of whisky like a besotted Robinson Crusoe." But he has never faced a crisis as personal or grave as the prospect of life imprisonment in the cage of his newborn infant-monster. Should he keep it? Dare he kill it? Before he makes his final decision, Bird's entire past seems to rise up before him, revealing itself to be a nightmare of self-deceit. The relentless honesty with which Oe portrays his hero -- or antihero -- makes Bird one of the most unforgettable characters in recent fiction.

Product Details
EAN
9780802150615
ISBN
0802150616
Publisher
Dimensions
20.6 x 13.7 x 1.2 centimeters (0.26 kg)
Customer Reviews
3.9 out of 5 | From 14,294 Goodreads Ratings

Top Customer Reviews
All reviews
2
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
Top Customer Reviews
Sort by
By Claire on August 4, 2010
Not recommended for those looking for a light read, Oe's classic novel is dark, challenging and complex, revealing a great deal about the Japanese mind. Follow the main character's journey into temporary depravity as he grapples with a personal tragedy - will he pull through, do the right thing and stand by his family, or will he keep running from reality?
Was this review helpful? Yes   No
By Luca on September 9, 2006
A personal matter is the story of bird, a discontent intellectual who's dream of a african adventure is shattered when his wife gives birth to a brain-damaged child. This subjct may not be for everyone,but for those interest in in reflective,thoughtful literature then this will appeal.
Was this review helpful? Yes   No
Write a review
Ask a Question About this Product More...
 
Item ships from and is sold by Fishpond.com, Inc.

Back to top