My first posting here - wanted to share with you one of my favourite writers, the great Dazai Osamu (or Osamu Dazai). Died at 38 by suicide, an alcoholic, drug addict, womaniser, made magic with the pen, great short stories, a couple of novels (Setting Sun, No Longer Human), very honest (sometimes self-pitying, hell, that's honesty if you're honest), laugh out loud funny, and, like Buk, says a difficult thing in a simple way, and a familiar thing in a different way. He was fairly prodigious in his lifetime although not a lot has been translated into English. There are three short story collections - Self Portraits, Blue Bamboo and Crackling Mountain - in print (Kodansha) and the aforementioned novels. I have trouble with the novels but the collections are pure genius. And their spirit isn't ruined (as far as I can tell) by the translations. Example: "I've always had confidence when it comes to dogs. I am confident that one day one will bite me." (From memory). I have no doubt that anyone into Bukowski would appreciate Dazai. He's still something of a cult in Japan (he died in 1946 I believe). Anybody read him or got any views?
Also, check out MA JIAN - a wonderful Chinese writer.
Both kicking against the pricks.
And while I'm about (should be - probably already is - a different thread) what's your favourite Bukowski poem? Mine: Genius - I met a genius on the train today, he was eight years old ...
Also, check out MA JIAN - a wonderful Chinese writer.
Both kicking against the pricks.
And while I'm about (should be - probably already is - a different thread) what's your favourite Bukowski poem? Mine: Genius - I met a genius on the train today, he was eight years old ...