The Pine Islands

Marion Poschmann author Jen Calleja translator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Profile Books Ltd

Published:9th Apr '20

£8.99

Available to order, but very limited on stock - if we have issues obtaining a copy, we will let you know.

The Pine Islands cover

Shortlisted for The Man Booker International Prize 2019 - a charming, playful, profound tale of lost souls in search of transformation in modern Japan

SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL PRIZE 2019 AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER When Gilbert wakes one day from a dream that his wife has cheated on him, he flees - immediately and inexplicably - for Tokyo, where he meets a fellow lost soul: Yosa, a young Japanese student clutching a copy of The Complete Manual of Suicide. Together, Gilbert and Yosa set off on a pilgrimage to see the pine islands of Matsushima, one looking for the perfect end to his life, the other for a fresh start. Playful and profound, The Pine Islands is a beautiful tale of friendship, transformation and acceptance in modern Japan.

Miraculous ... Poschmann has all the air of uncovered greatness -- John Self * Guardian *
A remarkably tender exploration of modern life ... Poschmann reveals the still beauty to be found in life beneath a mask of black humour. -- Mia Colleran * Irish Times *
A blackly funny novel, in which the rhythms of modern life slowly give way to the restorative poetry of the natural world. -- Claire Allfree * Daily Mail *
If you've ever wondered how a writer of imagination and wit might blend Murakami-style mysticism with black-humoured realism, this diverting novel will tell you everything you need to know. * Big Issue *
Funny, strange and sad ... a refreshing book for the curious reader * Herald *
Really fascinating ... on the face of it a simple story with a sort of surreality to it, a playfulness as well ... interesting, left-field ... we absolutely loved it ... a comic confrontation with mortality -- Bettany Hughes, chair of the 2019 Man Booker International Prize judges
Absurdly delightful * Straits Times *
A masterpiece * Die Zeit *
Clever, poetic, funny * Tagesspiegel *
A dazzling little novel * Süddeutsche Zeitung *
Profoundly serene, flawlessly beautiful * TAZ *
Ravishingly funny * Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung *
Simply wonderful * Stern *

  • Short-listed for International Man Booker Prize 2019 (UK)

ISBN: 9781788160926

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 11mm

Weight: 166g

192 pages

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