A Personal Matter by Kenzaburō Ōe
A Personal Matter is a novel that tells the story of Bird, a young man struggling to come to terms with the birth of his son who has a severe brain hernia. As he grapples with his personal demons and the societal stigma associated with having a disabled child, he also contemplates killing his son to end his suffering. The narrative explores themes of responsibility, shame, and the human condition, ultimately leading to Bird's acceptance of his son and his own life.
The 2585th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1964
- Nationality
- Japanese
- Type
- Fiction
- Pages
- 165-200
- Words
- Unknown
- Original Language
- Japanese
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This book is on the following lists:
- 35th on Entertainment Weekly's Top 100 Novels (Entertainment Weekly)
- As if You Don't Have Enough to Read, Fiction Edition (New York Times)