The Man Who Turned into a Stick (Further Reading)

Further Reading

• Goodman, David. G., trans, and ed., After Apocalypse: Four Japanese Plays of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Cornell University Press, 1994 (reprint).

  A collection of modern Japanese plays that looks into the spiritual, political, and moral questions that faced most Japanese during the postwar era.

• Iles, Timothy, Abe Kobo: An Exploration of His Prose, Drama and Theatre, European Press Academic Publishing, 2000.

  This is one of a very few books written in English that is totally focused on Abe’s work. Iles offers a comprehensive study, interpretation, and criticism of both Abe’s fiction and his plays.

• Keene, Donald, Dawn to the West: Japanese Literature of the Modern Era, Columbia University Press, 1984.

  This book, written by the noted scholar and translator of Abe’s works, offers an extensive study of Japanese literature, including drama. Keene has translated the works of many major contemporary Japanese writers.

• Mishima, Yukio, Five Modern Noh Plays, Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1981.

  Using the traditional form of the Noh play, Mishima, a famous novelist, explores modern existential questions. Modern audiences often state that Mishima’s work haunts them long after they have experienced his plays.

• Takaya, Ted T., ed., Modern Japanese Drama: An Anthology, Columbia University Press, 1979.

  This collection offers an overview of modern Japanese plays that were written and produced in Abe’s time. Included are plays by Abe, Yukio Mishima, and other contemporary Japanese dramatists.