A review by lapis
A Personal Matter by Kenzaburō Ōe
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book is so ugly in an amazing way. You feel like crap reading this horrible, sad sack of a man as the protagonist. He has such ugly thoughts.
But as a disabled person, I'm well aware while people may not go as far as Bird does in this book, this ugliness does exist in people.
And it's worth noting that he's not the only one. There's lots of dehumanizing dialogue from people in this book.
I recommend that people stomach Bird (and the rest) and make their way through the book. It's short, and I found it worth it. It's a gut-wrenching book, but powerful.
But as a disabled person, I'm well aware while people may not go as far as Bird does in this book, this ugliness does exist in people.
And it's worth noting that he's not the only one. There's lots of dehumanizing dialogue from people in this book.
I recommend that people stomach Bird (and the rest) and make their way through the book. It's short, and I found it worth it. It's a gut-wrenching book, but powerful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Ableism