Introducing Little Clothbound Classics: irresistible, mini editions of short stories, novellas and essays from the world's greatest writers, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith. Celebrating the range and diversity of Penguin Classics, they take us from snowy Japan to springtime Vienna, from haunted New England to a sun-drenched Mediterranean island, and from a game of chess on the ocean to a love story on the moon. Beautifully designed and printed, these collectible editions are bound in colourful, tactile cloth and stamped with foil. Akutagawa was one of the towering figures of modern Japanese literature, and is considered the father of the Japanese short story. This paradigmatic selection, which includes the stories that inspired Akira Kurosawa's 1950 film Rashomon, showcases the terrible beauty, cynicism, sublime pain and absurd humour of his writing. 'One never tires of reading and re-reading his best works. The elegantly spare style has a truly spine-tingling brilliance' - Haruki Murakami
Ryunosuke Akutagawa
Ryunosuke Akutagawa was a Japanese writer known for his innovative storytelling and exploration of the human psyche. His most notable works include "Rashomon" and "In a Grove," which served as the basis for Akira Kurosawa's film "Rashomon." Akutagawa is considered a master of the short story form, blending elements of traditional Japanese literature with modernist techniques. His works often delve into themes of morality, identity, and the nature of truth. Akutagawa's impact on literature can be seen in his influence on modern Japanese writers and his lasting legacy as one of the pioneers of Japanese literature in the early 20th century.
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