Average customer rating:
- Good, but not "The Woman in the Dunes'
- Is it fair to ask a man to always live up to his best work?
- Truly mind-bending!
- One of Kobo Abe's finest writings
- Reversing the psychology of Woman in the Dunes.
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The Ruined Map: A Novel
Kobo Abe
Manufacturer: Vintage
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The Woman in the Dunes
ASIN: 0375726527
Release Date: 2001-12-04 |
Book Description
Of all the great Japanese novelists, Kobe Abe was indubitably the most versatile. With
The Ruined Map, he crafted a mesmerizing literary crime novel that combines the narrative suspense of Chandler with the psychological depth of Dostoevsky.
Mr. Nemuro, a respected salesman, disappeared over half a year ago, but only now does his alluring yet alcoholic wife hire a private eye. The nameless detective has but two clues: a photo and a matchbook. With these he embarks upon an ever more puzzling pursuit that leads him into the depths of Tokyo's dangerous underworld, where he begins to lose the boundaries of his own identity. Surreal, fast-paced, and hauntingly dreamlike, Abe’s masterly novel delves into the unknowable mysteries of the human mind.
Translated from the Japanese by E. Dale Saunders.
Customer Reviews:
Good, but not "The Woman in the Dunes'.......2007-03-16
I bought this novel in hopes of rekindling that passion I had for 'Woman in the Dunes,' but I was a little disappointed with 'The Ruined Map.' It's still a good novel, but the author, Kobo Abe, seems to get lost in the details. The characters are rich but the story is hazy and unsure. It's still enjoyable to read, but there are lots of other books I would recommend first.
Is it fair to ask a man to always live up to his best work?.......2006-12-09
Kobo Abe became famous with his first novel, The Woman In The Dunes. He deserved the fame. Though written in a very simple style, The Woman In The Dunes has an unworldly atmosphere, simultaneously beautiful and frightening. Its premise is not very realistic, but the description makes it very convincing.
Unfortunately, a man can only write a book like that once, when he is young. After The Woman In The Dunes, Abe became the most prominent avant-garde novelist in Japan. But from that point on, his books became increasingly uninspired and similar to one another. The Ruined Map (1967), The Box Man (1973), and The Ark Sakura (1984) have different storylines, but eventually it becomes obvious that, fundamentally, the three novels are exactly the same.
Every Abe novel after The Woman In The Dunes revolves around some kind of search. The main character is looking for something, or other people lead him to look for something. Abe rarely reveals why it's so important to find this thing, or even what it is. But Abe is a very vague author. His characters talk in oblique hints. It is almost never explained just what they're hinting at. If this irritates you, then you probably won't like Abe's books.
In his vague search, the main character runs into the same three people:
1. "The Helpless Femme Fatale"
This archetype is the main female character in an Abe book. She is usually described sympathetically, as being feminine and vulnerable. However, she also serves to draw the main character into some kind of crisis from which he cannot escape. Abe sometimes drops vague hints that she knows more than she lets on, but this matter is never adequately clarified. In The Box Man, this is the female doctor; in The Ark Sakura, it's the shill's assistant; and here in The Ruined Map, it's the missing man's wife.
2. "The Malicious Observer"
This is always a man who verbally antagonizes the main character. Abe hints that this character not only knows the truth about the main character's situation, but is in some way responsible for it. However, the malicious observer never really does anything. He just stands there and says a lot of very vague words to the main character, hence his status as "observer." In The Box Man, this is the doctor; in The Ark Sakura, it's the shill; in The Ruined Map, it's the woman's brother.
3. "The Dangerous Prey"
Abe's main characters are always searching for the dangerous prey. The dangerous prey doesn't have to actually physically appear (although he does in The Ark Sakura). He's more important for his status as "prey" that the main character must hunt down. However, even if he doesn't physically appear, he still has a great deal of influence over the main character. Along with the helpless femme fatale, he lures the main character into some kind of trap, hence why he is dangerous. In The Box Man, this is the box man; in The Ark Sakura, it's the main character's father; and here, it's the missing man himself.
This formula does not seem to add up to much. Personally, I think that The Box Man is totally unreadable, and The Ark Sakura becomes unreadable by piling on irrelevant, bizarre absurdities as it progresses. But although The Ruined Map is still basically the same novel as the other two, it leaves a much better impression. This is because The Ruined Map is nominally written as a mystery novel, in which a private detective is hired to locate a man who disappeared without a trace. And as it turns out, this genre is perfect for Abe's vague style. Mysteries are supposed to be vague. They're supposed to lead the reader on. After The Woman In The Dunes, Abe does nothing but lead the reader on. It's a perfect match.
Thus, by happy coincidence, the chosen setting makes Abe's style interesting. Most of the book is fairly empty of content, as usual, with endless vague monologues and grotesque imagery. But there are two things that stand out.
First, by virtue of the plot, the helpless femme fatale looks particularly helpless this time around. The way she resorts to alcohol because she can't make sense of what happened to her husband is even touching. She looks truly helpless, more than her counterparts in the other books. This provides an effective contrast to the arrogance of the malicious observer, and to the sleazy places where the main character tries to find clues.
Second, because of the helpless femme fatale, the ending is especially sudden and effective. This is really the last time in Abe's career as a writer when he could create a genuinely powerful scene. In some sense, it lacks substance, because it consists of an absurd event that happens for no particular reason, and without explanation. On the other hand, it perfectly encapsulates a feeling of being overwhelmed by events beyond one's control. And it highlights the pathetic, yet dangerous attraction posed by the helpless femme fatale to the main character. Unsurprisingly, it recalls The Woman In The Dunes.
The Woman In The Dunes is Abe's best work. In comparison, his later novels are superfluous. But, if you really want to read one of them, The Ruined Map is by far the best choice.
Truly mind-bending!.......2003-10-22
Surrealism is not really my cup of tea, but I did enjoy reading this book, which treads on slightly firmer grounds of realism than Abe's other works. The structure is certainly interesting, as the reader is given as few clues to understand the story as the protagonist has in his case, and things get progressively more confusing and unclear. The whole thing has a dreamlike quality to it. I can't say I loved it, but if you are looking for a challenging and slightly avant-garde read with a surrealist bent then this is worth a try.
One of Kobo Abe's finest writings.......2000-10-16
Kobo Abe, one of the greatest surrealistic novelists, liked to depict, with the precise calculation and unconstrained freedom of mind that Picasso gave his work, entangled and precarious relatiionships between an individual and the society to which he "belongs". In "The Ruined Map", Kobo Abe casts spotlight on his lifelong motif from a different angle. Unlike his other books such as "The Box Man" and "Kangaroo Note", "The Ruined Map" is based on a relatively realistic situation. Almost all characters act apparently normally, and there seems to be nothing that makes us question sanity in the situation that surrounds them. The hero, who is a private investigator, is asked to find a young woman's husband who suddenly disappeared several months ago. He tries to find "rational explantions" of her husband's abrupt disapearance, but however, the notion of rationality soon traps him, challenging his conventional understanding of the relationship between an individual and the society. Kobo Abe explores his unique conception of identity with more restrained techniques of surrealism than in his most famous work "The Women in the Dunes". Yet, an insightful reader should realize that Abe ingeniously embedded the surrealistic subject in a realistic setting.
Reversing the psychology of Woman in the Dunes........1998-07-22
Though not as successful in achieving its aims as The Woman in the Dunes, this is still an intriguing twilight-zone type of story. A young private investigator is set on the trail of a man who, we are led to believe, has run away from his wife. The only clues are a torn piece of paper with a sketched map of where he last met someone in connection with his work. But as he carries out his investigation everything gets more and more uncertain, rather than becoming clearer. Each person he comes into contact with at the beginning of his investigation has an identity, a relation of some sort to someone else in the story, but as events unfold, each and every one of them becomes clouded in a mini-mystery of their own, until, after falling into the hands of the wrong people and receiving one hell of a beating, even the hapless investigator, who has by now lost his job and livelihood, loses his ow! n identity and is left wandering off we know not where. In some sense The Ruined Map is an attempt at a reversal of the psychological drama of The Woman in the Dunes. Rather than re-establishing his identity and fitting in in a totally bizarre environment, our hero drops out of an environment he is familiar with and apparently loses all sense of his own identity. While it is convincing, I feel that my liking for Abe's weird world is all that got me through the middle section of this book, though the odd beginning and the truly chaotic ending are very enjoyable. I suggest reading this one first before going on to The Woman in the Dunes which is all round a better read.
Book Description
Nathan Gill is a rare voice in contemporary spirituality. Speaking with consistent clarity, he points out that all prescriptions for escape from the drama of separation instead serve as its reinforcement. Compiled from transcripts of one-to-one dialogues and group meetings, the talks featured in Already Awake present the essential message of non-duality in a profound yet straightforward way. Also included by way of an introduction to the main text, is a revised version of Nathan's first book, Clarity.
Customer Reviews:
Slip into Clarity.......2007-04-24
A reviewer above, Northern Light, is critical of the approach of the so called "neo-advaitists" like Nathan Gill.
What the neo-advaitists have to say is hardly 'neo' at all, except that they put into modern idiom what has been said for centuries or longer. There really is very little that can be said without muddying up the waters, so I give this book five stars for pages 13-26 called "Clarity" which puts things about as simply and clearly as I have ever read. It's just about all you'll ever need to read on the subject. These words should act as a balm for many confused seekers. The rest of the book is fine and reads much like books by Hartong, Renz, Adamson, Wheeler, Parsons, et al.
You cant find a better author on this subject.......2007-04-10
Non duality is difficult at best to understand, but Nathan is really good at it, and NEVER contradicts himself. That is refreshing.
Already Awake.......2005-09-25
This outstanding title by Nathan Gill is by far the clearest, most direct and to-the-point book on non-dualism I have ever encountered. (I've read many).
Very engaging and completely without "spiritual" jargon. Simple, down to earth. Accessible, even for those who may not be familiar with the subject matter.
A true gem in the realm of advaitist literature.
Clarity in the palm of your hand.......2005-09-09
Already Awake book is the clearest exposition of pure Advaita I've read..Nathan point's out that all prescriptions for escape from the drama of separation actually serve as its reinforcement.What is right now is perfection,and when this is recognized the seeking for the marvellous or for the blissfulness end. If you feel at all drawn to this awakening, I can't imagine a clearer way to be introduced.
Mr Beyong
A life changing book.......2005-09-06
Nathan Gill's book, Already Awake, was mind blowing in a
beautiful, subtle life changing way. So much of what is termed Advaita and non-dual teaching (which I have been steeped in now for over 4 years) has an elitist aspect that directs people to follow various prescriptions to get somewhere, purportedly to what is real, beyond the illusions of ego. Previously, I was wholeheartedly into this approach. Nathan's book so clearly depicts what is so glaringly obvious, that if one is even in the least open to the fact that there can be no movement toward or away from what is, then a deep seeing is just about unavoidable. Ego identified or not, "awakeness" is not something distant and rare, but is all that is. This book puts this realization in the most simple and direct manner. There is not a trace of elitism or self-aggrandizement, whatsoever. There is a real, warm, open invitation to just see the obvious and to celebrate everything as the expression of the divine by the divine as the divine. Nothing and no one is excluded. So many teachings seem to place themselves above the so-called "ordinary" people. Nathan does anything but this with his words. The expression that comes through him is simply the humble beloved embracing, being all and everyone and everything and being no-thing and no one. I fell in love with what is, as it is, as I am and seem to be. This is miraculous and my gratitude is endless.
Customer Reviews:
An Excellent resource!.......2005-09-13
I love this book. I live in Japan and regularly take it the store with me. It has helpful language information, packaging information and explanations of all the "foreign" things I'm looking at in the store. My book has a different cover (older edition, I assume), but it was worth every penny...and it's not cheap!
Book Description
Featuring close to 450 full-color photographs, this book showcases over 300 individual wall pockets. Many non-production variations of glaze and cold paint detail appear in the book, as well as photographs of the backs of wall pocket designs for additional reference and identification. Complete information and photographs of 17 wall pockets that were never produced by the company is an added feature, and there are almost 70 original company catalog and pricing pages. All known reproductions and fakes are included. While only a small section is devoted in other books to this area of collecting, McCoy Wall Pockets Decorations features them all. AUTHORBIO: Craig Nissen and his wife Pat enjoy collecting not only Nelson McCoy Pottery, but Van Briggle pottery, Roseville pottery, Aladdin electric lamps, beaded "sugar" shade lamps from the 1920s, cupid photos, rug and pillow beaters, and wall pockets. Craig co-authored three volumes in the McCoy Pottery series, and is also the author ofMcCoy Wall Pockets Decorations. REVIEW: Experienced McCoy collector and author Craig Nissen has produced this new volume. Focusing just on wall pockets made by the company, the book includes hundreds of color photographs with important information. The book is presented in the same user-friendly format as author Nissen's other 3 volumes on McCoy pottery. A must-have for McCoy enthusiasts everywhere.
Book Description
In this unique approach to home decorating, more than a dozen top interior designers share their professional secrets on every aspect of style, decor, and furnishings. In all, they offer advice and tips on 77 key design elements, including color, lighting, arrangement, scale and space, walls and windows, floors and ceilings, and arts and collectibles. From bedroom to bath and from kitchen to living room, this beautiful, fun-to-read book gives the inside scoop on developing your style and designing a home you'll love.
Writer and editor Sarah Lynch is the author of Rockport's own Bold Colors for Modern Rooms and co-author of The Perfect Room. She lives in New York City, where she serves as an editor at Metropolitan Home.
Customer Reviews:
Limited interest and usefulness .......2005-10-21
I was expecting something much more specific and focused from this book. It's not really about 'habits' of designers at all, methinks.
Lynch should really have edited out several of the comments included here - such as: 'Lighting is essential. it is the most versatile tool we have for creating an atmosphere'.
This is an aphorism, Ms Lynch. Not a habit, not even a suggestion. It tells the reader nothing that s/he can use to improve her/his living space. Which, one may be forgiven for thinking, is the whole point of a book purporting to reveal designers' practices.
Having said this, some designers do make useful suggestions. Example from the same chapter: 'make sure lights are not directly overhead, it creates raccoon eyes. Chandeliers, sconces and lamps ..are sure to make people look good...Of course, a dimmer is a must'. This comment is not a statement of principle (you can't move sideways through this book for the vapid 'be true to/trust yourself' statements); the designer is telling us something she looks out for, a habit I can emulate myself. Lynch should have concentrated on this kind of comment to produce a useful book, rather than just a coffee-table book with some nice pictures and a few good points.
Incidentally, it's obvious that some of the designers quoted are represented throughout the book (in terms of photographs) by one project only, and others by several. Shouldn't there have been some consistency here?
Good ideas, but lacks substance.......2005-07-27
I found the commentary from each designer interesting and occassionally insightful, but this was not the interior designer's resource book its description touts it to be.
Average customer rating:
- Courteous Service
- From sketches and photos to paintings.
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Reginald Marsh's New York: Paintings, Drawings, Prints and Photographs
Marilyn Cohen
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
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Anatomy for Artists (Dover Art Instruction & Reference Books)
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Reginald Marsh
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The "New Woman" Revised: Painting and Gender Politics on Fourteenth Street
ASIN: 0486245942 |
Book Description
Superior selection of 154 Marsh New York illustrations, including 4 in full color on covers: beach scenes at Coney Island, street scenes, vagrants, burlesque theaters, marathon dancers, subways, breadlines, and much more.
Customer Reviews:
Courteous Service.......2005-10-25
When the used book I purchased was not available immediately, I was promptly notified and given a new expected date of arrival. The book was delivered in the promised excellent condition well within the new delivery date window. I appreciated the courteous and reliable service that was provided.
From sketches and photos to paintings........2003-12-22
If you're looking for a good, cheap book on Marsh, this is the book for you. Reginald Marsh was a social-realist artist in New York during the 1930s. While at first glance, Marsh seems to work in the style of Daumier, as this book shows he also was influenced by the more traditional old masters, particularly Rubens.
This book is not your usual cheap Dover edition. The paper used is quality glossy, the images are sharply reproduced with very good value definition. The 44 page introduction by Marilyn Cohen is very well-wriiten, informative, and relates to the plates that follow. Cohen obviously knows a lot about Marsh and the times and people he lived in. She carefully explains the milieu and influences in which Marsh's paintings were developed. The care in which she presents her subject is evident in the footnotes to her introduction.
This book will be of special interest to the artist who is interested in how other artists get from idea to final painting. There are many preliminary sketches presented along with photos that Marsh took and subsequently developed into paintings. My only complaint is that there are only 4 color illustrations (and 2 of them are on the inside jacket covers and not very clear). But that's probably what keeps the cost down. All in all, an interesting book at a low, low price.
Average customer rating:
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Reginald Marsh's New York: Paintings, Drawings, Prints & Photographs
Marilyn Cohen
Manufacturer: Peter Smith Pub
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ASIN: 9998655579 |
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- A very poor book
- A great book about a great star
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Spencer Tracy: Tragic Idol
B. Davidson
Manufacturer: Zebra
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Affair to Remember, An: The Remarkable Love Story Of Katharine Hepburn And Spencer Tracy
ASIN: 0821737384 |
Customer Reviews:
A very poor book.......2004-06-06
Davidson clearly embellished many of the interviews he claimed to have had with various people including Tracy himself. This book is extremely inaccurate and unnecessarily lurid. For more balanced books on Tracy read Tracy and Hepburn by Garson Kanin, the Tracy biography by Larry Swindell and the really good Spencer Tracy Bio-bibliography by James Fisher.
A great book about a great star.......2000-04-01
The book Spencer Tracy: Tragic Idol is a great book. It is extremely informative as well. Bill Davidson spent years of interviewing to put together what is probably the best Spencer Tracy biography. This book gives detailed information on each and every film that Tracy ever made. Another reason that this is a great book are the parts about the strange yet touching romance Spencer Tracy had with Katherine Hepburn. Unlike some other bigraphies of Tracy, this one is extremely well balanced. It tells not only of Spencer Tracy's great acting skills, but also of the bad things in his private life. This book is a must read for all Spencer Tracy fans.
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