The Man Who Turned into a Stick
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1957
84
Play • Fiction
1957
Adult
18+ years
"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
133 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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.
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.
133 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
84
Play • Fiction
1957
Adult
18+ years
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