Scan barcode
hpiper's review against another edition
I got this from the library and there was a spider squashed between the pages. Gross! I couldn’t continue 😢
I will come back to this at some point
I will come back to this at some point
lizawall's review against another edition
The feelings of it make sense, but I could not say what the facts were.
hieronymusbotched's review against another edition
5.0
It's like walking through a hospital-themed Hieronymus Bosch painting with not-quite "found notebooks" as a Visitor's Guide.
beefmaster's review against another edition
4.0
I was inspired to read Secret Rendezvous by Joachim Boaz of the blog Science Fiction Ruminations (here). I'd purchased the major seven Abe novels off a pal from Letterboxd about two years ago but hadn't got around to them. I'm glad I did, though, as this novel was a laugh riot. The narrator, unnamed of course, watches helplessly as an ambulance shows up to his house and takes away his wife, despite her being in good health and despite neither of them phoning for medical assistance. He hopes to track her down and goes to the local hospital, a nightmarish labyrinth of shifting geography and in-fighting bureaucrats. It's as funny as it is frustrating as the narrator never receives a straight answer to any of his questions and slowly, just like in modern day bureaucracies, he manages to ascend the job ladder to head of security. Kafkaesque, sure, but far more pointed in its satirical aims. Abe was a medical doctor, though he didn't practice, and from what he saw, he was angry. This should probably be a required text for any and all hospital administrators.
It's been too long since I've read an Abe book and I won't make the mistake of waiting >15 years to read another.
It's been too long since I've read an Abe book and I won't make the mistake of waiting >15 years to read another.
molishka's review against another edition
2.0
I usually like books that are spirally and confusing but this one didn't quite capture my mind.
mouhy's review against another edition
1.0
Well, this one aged like milk. I almost didn't finish it but I did, hence the one-star rating.
dirtydima's review against another edition
1.0
"Secret Rendezvous" by Kobo Abe takes readers on a journey through a surreal world of imagination. Initially, it holds the promise of an intriguing adventure and investigation. However, as the narrative unfolds, it veers into the realm of the absurd. It is clear that the author's intent was to delve into philosophical and existential concepts, delving into human curiosity, voyeurism, and our innate desire to observe others. Yet, amid this exploration, the novel occasionally ventures into the realm of controversial and adolescent sexual fantasies, which may challenge some readers.
Abe's portrayal of women is disappointingly shallow, reflecting a dated perspective that falls short of modern sensibilities. Furthermore, the discussion of rape is approached from a toxic masculinity standpoint, which may be unsettling for many readers. Overall, the narrative often seems to revel in its absurdity for the sake of it, which may alienate some audiences. It is worth noting that those who find fault with the book tend to cite specific details, while its proponents tend to focus on more general thematic concepts. This divide speaks to the polarizing nature of the work, and ultimately, whether one appreciates "Secret Rendezvous" may depend on their tolerance for its controversial elements and their willingness to engage with its deeper philosophical musings.
Abe's portrayal of women is disappointingly shallow, reflecting a dated perspective that falls short of modern sensibilities. Furthermore, the discussion of rape is approached from a toxic masculinity standpoint, which may be unsettling for many readers. Overall, the narrative often seems to revel in its absurdity for the sake of it, which may alienate some audiences. It is worth noting that those who find fault with the book tend to cite specific details, while its proponents tend to focus on more general thematic concepts. This divide speaks to the polarizing nature of the work, and ultimately, whether one appreciates "Secret Rendezvous" may depend on their tolerance for its controversial elements and their willingness to engage with its deeper philosophical musings.
briancrandall's review against another edition
4.0
c.f. The Castle, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
Standing on a lawn swollen like green gelatin as it sucked light from the overhead street lamps was an apartment building made of glass and ivory-colored tiles, like a work of abstract art. Each floor had a deep veranda, so that the building became progressively narrower toward the top, like a small pyramid. Abandoning the van in an outdoor parking lot, they ran to the entrance, where an automatic door made of glass a centimeter thick slid noiselessly open, revealing a light-blue-gray wall-to-wall carpet so thick they padded across it like cats. [104–5]
emserif's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0