I’m reading the last letter in The Hunting Gun, a Japanese literary classic by Yasushi Inoue (English Translation). The short book has 3 letters written by a wife, a mistress and the mistress’ daughter all addressed to the same man.
I’m not sure how to describe how I feel about the book – Other than to say I’m in awe. I enjoy the style of writing and the topic as well. It almost reminds me of books by Nigerian authors Adichie and Achebe.
Achebe’s Things Fall Apart was beautifully written, but it often felt overdone or boastful. I’m not a fan of having to Google 5 words per paragraph.
Adichie’s writing I enjoyed, but unlike The Hunting Gun, it felt modern, young, perhaps not worldly? No, Hunting Gun feels as though it was written without judgement – as though the author himself had refrains from giving his opinion and allows the reader to decide how to view the story.
To Kill a Mockingbird has the same feel, I think. Though it has been a while since I read this one.
So, to sum this up, I’m looking for a literary classic that has a complex human behaviour at its heart (non of that black and white good and evil). Something between Things Fall Apart, Americanah (style not story) and To kill a mockingbird.
P.s. I find I also enjoy books set in the past but which do not have the past at the main centre of the story, if that makes sense. I enjoy picking up little historical facts woven in between fiction.
P.p.s. I’ve also read a lot of western fiction and I’m looking to explore other regions of the world – particularly Asia and Africa.
Thank you!
by Exciting_Vanilla_847