Reviews

آدم جعبه ای by Kōbō Abe

nonlinearpaolo's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

candibunny's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

justinkhchen's review against another edition

2.0

2.5 stars

I'm usually down 'out-there' novels that explore the boundary of written word storytelling, but I might have found my boundary with The Box Man; the reading experience was like watching an arthouse film — where you know you should be moved and impressed, but instead you find yourself disengaged and completely at loss.

Perhaps I simply wasn't in the mood for a stream of consciousness narrative — where provocative vignettes remain broken, circling in its own loop, and never build towards a coherent whole.

There are still foundational elements I thoroughly enjoy: the formation of the Box Man is extremely well-realized, and the discussion on being the observer, vs. being observed, is very intriguing. I even appreciate the fragmented narration, up to a point. Oh, and there are some beautiful prose to be found here.

sha's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

2.5

I don’t think I’m smart enough for this book yet.

tom84629's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

opossumble's review against another edition

challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

kateofmind's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

nicholasw's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

sebniv's review against another edition

adventurous informative reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

abhilashaaaaa's review against another edition

challenging mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75