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The Woman in the Dunes
- Narrated by: Julian Cihi
- Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
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The Woman in the Dunes
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Summary
The Woman in the Dunes, by celebrated writer and thinker Kobo Abe, combines the essence of myth, suspense, and the existential novel.
After missing the last bus home following a day trip to the seashore, an amateur entomologist is offered lodging for the night at the bottom of a vast sand pit. But when he attempts to leave the next morning, he quickly discovers the locals have other plans. Held captive with seemingly no chance of escape, he is tasked with shoveling back the ever-advancing sand dunes that threaten to destroy the village.
His only companion is an odd young woman. Together, their fates become intertwined as they work side-by-side at this Sisyphean task.
Critic reviews
“Devious, addictive.... Never less than compulsive.... Abe is an accomplished stylist.” (David Mitchell)
“Abe follows with meticulous precision his hero's constantly shifting physical, emotional and psychological states.” (The New York Times Book Review)
“As is true of Poe and Kafka...Abe creates on the page an unexpected impulsion. One continues reading, on and on.” (The New Yorker)
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What listeners say about The Woman in the Dunes
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Veronica Marcano
- 31-03-19
book👏🏽review👏🏽
loved it, since im english i woulda liked an english narrator since when i read it thats what it sounded like in my head but overall good reading and amazing story
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr A Trimbitas
- 07-06-23
poignant book
have seen the movie numerous times, the book is of course excellent as well. sometimes I wish the narrator was japanese and had a bit more varied intonation (it isn't always clear which character speaks) but overall a very good, immersive, emotional experience.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- corinne
- 24-07-20
Underwhelmed
I was looking forward to reading this as I really enjoyed The Box Man but unfortunately I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. I loved the setting and the concept of this eternal struggle against the all-consuming sand. The begining had me pulled in but my interest dwindled a little in the middle. The protagonist got on my nerves but I think that's the point. I didn't feel sorry for him and I took much pleasure in his downfall.
Overall it's a decent book with a strong story but it wasn't really a "page turner" for me. There was some sexist remarks in the book and I'm not sure if this was to make you dislike the main character even more or because it was written by a man in 1962. Anyway, I think it deserves a read.
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1 person found this helpful