Plot Summary

The Man Who Turned into a Stick

Kōbō Abe
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The Man Who Turned into a Stick

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1957

Book Brief

Kōbō Abe

The Man Who Turned into a Stick

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1957
Book Details
Pages

84

Format

Play • Fiction

Publication Year

1957

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

"The Man Who Turned into a Stick" by Kōbō Abe is a one-act play set on a busy street beside a department store, where two hippies encounter a stick that has fallen from the sky; this stick is revealed to be a man transformed. Joined by characters named Man from Hell and Woman from Hell, they engage in philosophical discussions about fate, reality, and existence, ending with unresolved questions about identity and transformation.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Unnerving

Dark

Reviews & Readership

3.6

133 ratings

54%

Loved it

34%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Kōbō Abe's The Man Who Turned into a Stick offers a surreal exploration of existential themes through absurdist drama. Critics commend its originality and thought-provoking narrative, though some find the abstract plot challenging. Its innovative use of symbolism and sharp critique of modern society yield both intrigue and puzzlement. Overall, a unique but polarizing literary work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Man Who Turned into a Stick?

Readers who enjoy avant-garde, existential literature with surreal elements, akin to works by Samuel Beckett and Franz Kafka, will appreciate Kōbō Abe's The Man Who Turned into a Stick. This play delves into absurdity and human existence, making it ideal for those who relish thought-provoking and unconventional narratives.

3.6

133 ratings

54%

Loved it

34%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

84

Format

Play • Fiction

Publication Year

1957

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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