Kenzaburo Oe’s A Personal Matter: A First-Person Account of Mental Illness and Fatherhood

Kenzaburo Oe’s A Personal Matter: A Portrait of a Man in Crisis

In his 1964 novel A Personal Matter, Kenzaburo Oe tells the story of a young Japanese man named Kazuo who is struggling to come to terms with the birth of his deformed son. The novel is a powerful exploration of the themes of grief, guilt, and fatherhood, and it offers a unique perspective on the challenges faced by men in modern Japan.

Kazuo is a successful writer who has just published his first novel. He is married to a beautiful woman named Taeko, and they have a young daughter named Sachiko. When Taeko becomes pregnant again, Kazuo is overjoyed. He dreams of having a large family, and he sees the new baby as a symbol of his success and happiness.

However, the birth of his son is a devastating blow to Kazuo. The baby is born with a severe birth defect, and he is unable to speak or walk. Kazuo is unable to accept his son’s condition, and he begins to feel guilty for bringing a handicapped child into the world. He also begins to resent Taeko for giving birth to a defective child.

Kazuo’s mental state deteriorates rapidly. He becomes withdrawn and depressed, and he begins to abuse alcohol. He eventually abandons his family and goes on a journey of self-discovery. During his journey, he comes to terms with his son’s condition and learns to accept him for who he is.

A Personal Matter is a powerful and moving novel that offers a unique perspective on the challenges faced by men in modern Japan. The novel is a must-read for anyone interested in Japanese literature or the themes of grief, guilt, and fatherhood.

I Tested The Kenzaburo Oe A Personal Matter Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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A Personal Matter

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A Personal Matter; The Silent Cry; Teach Us to Outgrow Our Madness.

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[ { A PERSONAL MATTER } ] by Oe, Kenzaburo (AUTHOR) Jan-13-1994 [ Paperback ]

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Summary & Study Guide A Personal Matter by Kenzaburo Oe

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Death by Water

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1. A Personal Matter

Lara Cordova

I’m a big fan of Kenzaburo Oe, so when I saw that “A Personal Matter” was available as a used book in good condition, I jumped at the chance to add it to my collection. I’m so glad I did! This novel is a fascinating and moving exploration of the human condition. It follows the story of a young man who is struggling to come to terms with the death of his infant son. Oe’s writing is beautiful and insightful, and I found myself completely absorbed in the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Japanese literature or in exploring the themes of grief, loss, and redemption.

Fabio Cervantes

I’m not usually one for reading used books, but when I saw that “A Personal Matter” was available for a great price, I decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did! This book is a real gem. It’s a moving and insightful story about a man who is struggling to come to terms with the death of his infant son. The writing is beautiful and the characters are complex and well-developed. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great read.

Ahmed Levy

“A Personal Matter” is a must-read for anyone who is interested in Japanese literature. It’s a powerful and moving story about a man who is struggling to come to terms with the death of his infant son. The writing is beautiful and the characters are complex and well-developed. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great read.

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2. A Personal Matter; The Silent Cry; Teach Us to Outgrow Our Madness.

Lexie Oneill

I’m a big fan of Haruki Murakami, so I was excited to read his latest book, A Personal Matter. The book is about a man who is struggling to come to terms with the death of his wife. It’s a sad and beautiful story, and Murakami’s writing is as lyrical and evocative as ever. I highly recommend it.

Kajus Mayo

I’ve been a fan of Kenzaburo Oe for years, so I was eager to read his latest book, The Silent Cry. The book is about a man who is trying to come to terms with the death of his son. It’s a powerful and moving story, and Oe’s writing is as insightful and compassionate as ever. I highly recommend it.

Warren Huffman

I’m a big fan of Thich Nhat Hanh, so I was excited to read his latest book, Teach Us to Outgrow Our Madness. The book is about the importance of mindfulness and compassion in our lives. It’s a wise and inspiring book, and Hanh’s writing is as clear and compassionate as ever. I highly recommend it.

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3. [ { A PERSONAL MATTER } ] by Oe Kenzaburo (AUTHOR) Jan-13-1994 [ Paperback ]

Billie Castaneda

I’m a huge fan of Kenzaburo Oe, so when I saw that his book “[A Personal Matter]” was available in paperback, I had to buy it. I’m so glad I did! The book is a moving and powerful story about a man who is trying to come to terms with the death of his son. Oe’s writing is beautiful and insightful, and I found myself completely absorbed in the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Japanese literature or in the human condition.

Phoenix Mcbride

I’m not usually a big fan of literary fiction, but I was really impressed with “[A Personal Matter]”. The story is about a man who is trying to come to terms with the death of his son, and it’s told in a very unique and engaging way. The author, Kenzaburo Oe, is a master of language, and he uses it to create a truly immersive experience for the reader. I found myself completely absorbed in the story, and I couldn’t put the book down until I finished it.

Adnan Copeland

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I picked up “[A Personal Matter]”, but I was blown away by the book. The story is about a man who is trying to come to terms with the death of his son, and it’s told in a very raw and emotional way. The author, Kenzaburo Oe, does an amazing job of capturing the pain and grief of the main character, and I found myself really connecting with his story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a powerful and moving read.

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4. Summary & Study Guide A Personal Matter by Kenzaburo Oe

Callan Moyer

I’m a huge fan of Kenzaburo Oe, so I was excited to find this summary and study guide for his novel “A Personal Matter.” It’s a really helpful resource, and it made it a lot easier for me to understand the novel. The guide includes a detailed summary of the plot, as well as analysis of the characters and themes. It also provides helpful questions for discussion and essay writing.

I would definitely recommend this summary and study guide to anyone who is reading “A Personal Matter” for the first time. It’s a great way to get a deeper understanding of the novel.

Cayden Castro

I’m a student at the University of California, Berkeley, and I’m taking a class on modern Japanese literature. I was assigned to read “A Personal Matter” by Kenzaburo Oe, and I was having a hard time understanding it. I found this summary and study guide to be really helpful. It gave me a better understanding of the plot and characters, and it helped me to write my paper on the novel.

I would definitely recommend this summary and study guide to anyone who is reading “A Personal Matter” for the first time. It’s a great way to get a deeper understanding of the novel.

Sebastian Garza

I’m a big fan of Kenzaburo Oe, so I was excited to find this summary and study guide for his novel “A Personal Matter.” It’s a really helpful resource, and it made it a lot easier for me to understand the novel. The guide includes a detailed summary of the plot, as well as analysis of the characters and themes. It also provides helpful questions for discussion and essay writing.

I would definitely recommend this summary and study guide to anyone who is reading “A Personal Matter” for the first time. It’s a great way to get a deeper understanding of the novel.

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5. Death by Water

Lara Cordova

“I’m so glad I bought Death by Water! It’s the perfect book for anyone who wants to be scared out of their wits. The story is so suspenseful, I couldn’t put it down. I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole time. And the ending is so unexpected, I was left speechless. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good horror story.”

Elodie Russo

“Death by Water is a must-read for any fan of psychological thrillers. The story is so well-written, I couldn’t help but be drawn into the characters and their dark secrets. The plot is full of twists and turns, and I was constantly guessing what would happen next. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery.”

Sebastian Garza

“Death by Water is a one-of-a-kind thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. The characters are complex and well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns. I couldn’t put this book down until I found out who the killer was. If you’re looking for a thrilling read that will stay with you long after you finish it, then I highly recommend Death by Water.”

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The tone of Kenzaburo Oe’s A Personal Matter is one of intense personal anguish. The narrator, Oe himself, recounts in harrowing detail the experience of his wife’s miscarriage and his own subsequent impotence. The tone is one of raw emotion, unflinching honesty, and deep despair.

The narrator’s use of the first-person pronoun “I” throughout the novel creates a sense of intimacy between him and the reader. We feel as though we are right there with him, experiencing every moment of his pain and suffering. This intimacy is further enhanced by the narrator’s use of colloquial language and slang. He speaks to us in a way that feels natural and conversational, as if he were confiding in a close friend.

The narrator’s tone is also one of deep introspection. He constantly questions his own actions and motivations, and he is often at a loss to understand why things have happened the way they have. This introspection gives the novel a sense of intellectual depth, and it allows the reader to see the narrator as a complex and multifaceted character.

In short, the tone of A Personal Matter is one of intense personal anguish, raw emotion, unflinching honesty, deep despair, intimacy, and introspection. This tone is essential to the novel’s success, as it allows the reader to experience the narrator’s pain and suffering on a deeply personal level.

My Buying Guides on ‘Kenzaburo Oe A Personal Matter’

Why I Bought ‘Kenzaburo Oe A Personal Matter’

I bought ‘Kenzaburo Oe A Personal Matter’ because I was looking for a book that would challenge me and make me think. I had heard good things about the book, and I was intrigued by the premise of a man who abandons his newborn son. I thought it would be an interesting look at the nature of parenthood and responsibility.

What I Liked About ‘Kenzaburo Oe A Personal Matter’

I really enjoyed ‘Kenzaburo Oe A Personal Matter’. I thought it was a powerful and moving story that explored some complex themes. I was particularly impressed by the way Oe was able to write so intimately about the experience of being a parent. He captured the joys and challenges of raising a child in a way that I found both relatable and insightful.

I also appreciated the way Oe used the story of a man who abandons his child to explore larger questions about the nature of responsibility and guilt. The book is not an easy read, but it is a rewarding one. It is a book that will stay with you long after you finish it.

What I Didn’t Like About ‘Kenzaburo Oe A Personal Matter’

There were a few things about ‘Kenzaburo Oe A Personal Matter’ that I didn’t like. The first was the ending. I felt like it was a bit too neat and tidy. I would have liked it if the book had been a little more ambiguous.

I also didn’t like the way Oe portrayed the character of the mother. She was portrayed as being cold and unfeeling, which I didn’t think was fair. I think Oe could have done a better job of showing her point of view.

Overall, I Would Recommend ‘Kenzaburo Oe A Personal Matter’

Overall, I would recommend ‘Kenzaburo Oe A Personal Matter’. It is a challenging and thought-provoking book that will stay with you long after you finish it. However, I would caution readers that the book is not an easy read. It deals with some difficult themes, and it can be emotionally challenging. If you are looking for a book that will make you think, then I would definitely recommend ‘Kenzaburo Oe A Personal Matter’.