Review: The Beautiful Annabel Lee by Kenzaburo Oé

Review of the book “The Beautiful Annabel Lee” by Kenzaburo Oé.

“The Beautiful Annabel Lee” is a novel by Japanese writer Kenzaburo Oé, originally published in 1984. The work follows Kogito Choko, an aging writer who encounters a young man named Toru, who is suffering from a terminal illness and befriends Choko for advice and guidance.

“The Beautiful Annabel Lee” by Japanese writer Kenzaburo Oé. This is a novel that tells the love story between a literature professor and a young student, set in post-war Japan. The title refers to the famous poem by Edgar Allan Poe, which the professor reads to his beloved on one of their dates.

The novel is a masterpiece of contemporary literature, exploring themes such as identity, memory, trauma, desire and death. Oé’s style is elegant and poetic, but also raw and heartbreaking. The author shows us the complexity of human feelings, and how love can be both a source of happiness and suffering.

The book has a circular structure, which begins and ends with the same episode: the professor’s meeting with Annabel Lee’s mother, years after her death. Through the protagonist’s memories, we learn the details of his relationship with the young woman, from the first moment they met until the tragic end. The reader feels caught up in the intensity of the narrative, which leaves no one indifferent.

“The Beautiful Annabel Lee” is a book that I recommend to all lovers of good literature. It is a novel that will make you reflect on the meaning of life and the power of love. It is a work that will move you and touch you to the core.

The novel explores a number of deep themes, including mortality, identity, family, loss, and redemption. The main character, Choko, is dealing with her own mortality, while Toru is facing the imminence of death at a very young age. As the two characters connect, they share experiences and help each other navigate through their challenges.

Another important theme in the novel is the importance of family and how family relationships can be complicated and difficult to navigate. The relationship between Choko and his father is particularly fraught, and Choko finds himself reflecting on the influence his father had on his life and his work as a writer. The novel also features a reflection on Choko’s relationship with his own family and his role as a father and husband.

Oé’s prose is exceptionally poetic and evocative. The author uses a wide range of literary techniques, from symbolism to magical realism, to create a vivid and powerful picture of Choko and Toru’s world. The novel also features a rich exploration of Japanese culture and history, making it an interesting work for both readers familiar with Japanese literature and those who are not.

Overall, “The Beautiful Annabel Lee” is a deeply emotional and thoughtful novel that offers an insightful look at life, death, and complex human relationships. Oé’s evocative prose and ability to explore complex themes make this novel a must-read for any lover of literature. The work invites the reader to reflect on their own life and relationships, and to appreciate the beauty of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.