Read Yabu No Naka (1922)

Online Book

Author

Ryūnosuke Akutagawa

Genre

Fiction

Rating

4.18 of 5 Votes: 5

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ISBN

4062764598 (ISBN13: 9784062764599)

Language

English

Publisher

Kōdansha

Shops

Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble

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Yabu No Naka (1922) - Plot & Excerpts

This is a fantastic short story in which every chapter sheds some light, but,at the same time, casts shadows of doubt on the whole story and it's validity. This is the short story which was reinterpreted by Akira Kurosawa in his movie "Rashomon". Therefore,this short story's plot , via the movie, gave it's name to the so-called "Rashomon Syndrome". All in all, it is a wonderful story, told from several angles and ultimately presents us with several dislodged pieces of the puzzle which can't seem to fall into their places. This story is the basis of the famed movie Rashomon, directed by Akira Kurasawa. It is an engaging and unpredictable read, unlike anything else. Because of the unique format--retelling the same story over and over, but with each character betraying flaws, pride and hidden motives--it makes for an especially frustrating and thought-provoking read. I used it as part of an unreliable narrator unit in my classroom and I was grateful to have to read this fanstastic text. My high schoolers enjoyed it too.