A review by willchaney
The Face of Another by Kōbō Abe

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

Focuses on a scientist who is disfigured in a lab accident and decides to make an extremely realistic mask. Most of the book is about him discussing the true nature of being a human, and do you need a face to be a person? A lot of philosophical wandering surrounding appearance and what that means. I thought it was ok, but challenging at times and prett dense. The plot is definitely secondary to the philosophical questions - though it is used to set some of those questions up.