Ryunosuke Akutagawa

The Hell Screen and Other Stories (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

The Hell Screen and Other Stories is a compelling collection that delves into the darker recesses of human nature, moral ambiguity, and the fragile boundary between art and cruelty. Ryunosuke Akutagawa masterfully blends historical settings, psychological insight, and symbolic imagery to explore the destructive potential of obsession, the corrosive effects of vanity, and the inescapable presence of suffering. In tales such as The Hell Screen, Rashomon, and The Nose, Akutagawa examines the motivations that drive individuals to betray, deceive, or destroy, often revealing that the most harrowing conflicts occur within the human mind. Since its publication, the collection has been praised for its precise prose, layered narratives, and its ability to merge traditional Japanese storytelling with modernist sensibilities. Akutagawa's works engage with universal themes such as the tension between truth and perception, the cost of artistic creation, and the moral compromises made in pursuit of power or recognition. His characters-whether artists, servants, or nobles-confront moments of extreme moral testing, where the choices they make illuminate the complexities of the human condition. The collection's enduring impact lies in its unflinching portrayal of the shadows that accompany ambition, desire, and human frailty. By juxtaposing moments of beauty with acts of cruelty, and by challenging the reliability of perception and narrative, The Hell Screen and Other Stories invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the self and society. In doing so, Akutagawa not only cements his legacy as a pioneer of modern Japanese literature but also offers timeless meditations on the intertwined nature of morality, art, and the human spirit.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Lebooks Editora
• Seitenzahl: 115
• Erscheinungstermin: 12. August 2025
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9786558948438
• Artikelnr.: 75203463

Autorenporträt

Akutagawa Ryunosuke (1892-1927) was a Japanese writer, often hailed as the "father of the Japanese short story" and one of the most influential literary figures of early 20th-century Japan. Born in Tokyo during the Meiji period, Akutagawa is best known for his finely crafted short stories that blend classical Japanese themes with modern literary techniques. His works often explore psychological complexity, moral ambiguity, and the fragility of human perception, earning him a prominent place in both Japanese and world literature. Akutagawa's literary debut came in 1915 with the short story Rashomon, a retelling of a medieval Japanese tale set in a decaying Kyoto, which introduced his hallmark style: a fusion of classical sources with modern psychological insight. His breakthrough came in 1916 with The Nose, a humorous yet piercing exploration of vanity and human nature, praised by the celebrated novelist Natsume Soseki, who became Akutagawa's mentor. Akutagawa's mastery of the short story form set a new standard in Japanese literature. He combined economy of expression with rich symbolism, producing works that are at once concise and layered with meaning. His stories influenced generations of Japanese writers, including Yukio Mishima and Haruki Murakami, and his name became synonymous with literary excellence-the Akutagawa Prize, established in 1935, remains Japan's most prestigious award for promising new authors. Internationally, Akutagawa gained recognition through adaptations such as Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon (1950), which drew from both Rashomon and In a Grove, bringing his work to a global audience and cementing his reputation as a master storyteller whose themes transcend cultural boundaries.