The Frontier Within
Essays by Abe Kobo
Columbia University Press · Print & ebook · September 13, 2016
Abe Kobo (1924–1993) was one of Japan's greatest postwar writers, widely recognized for his imaginative science fiction and plays of the absurd.
We earn from qualifying purchases.
- Who it’s for
- Essays connect creativity, human evolution, social questions, and literary theory across Abe's career.
- Genres
- Japanese Literary Criticism, Philosophy Writing, 20th-Century Literary Criticism
- Published
- Columbia University Press, September 13, 2016
Nearest books
Matched by what the books are about, then ordered by what their readers also loved.
KūkaiKūkai, Yoshito Hakeda60% match
Robot Ghosts and Wired DreamsChristopher Bolton, Istvan Csicsery-Ronay, Jr.55% matchShares Japanese Literary Criticism
Lost JapanAlex Kerr, Bodhi Fishman55% match
Japanese Legends and FolkloreA.B. Mitford54% match
Origins of Modern Japanese LiteratureKojin Karatani52% matchShares Japanese Literary Criticism
Start with three books, and this one can be the first.
Members get a new edition every morning: a route out from their books to essays, research and talks, with the reason for each.
Start with this bookAbout this book
Abe Kobo (1924–1993) was one of Japan's greatest postwar writers, widely recognized for his imaginative science fiction and plays of the absurd. However, he also wrote theoretical criticism for which he is lesser known, merging literary, historical, and philosophical perspectives into keen reflections on the nature of creativity, the evolution of the human species, and an impressive range of other subjects.
Continue reading
Abe Kobo tackled contemporary social issues and literary theory with the depth and facility of a visionary thinker. Featuring twelve essays from his prolific career—including "Poetry and Poets (Consciousness and the Unconscious)," written in 1944, and "The Frontier Within, Part II," written in 1969—this anthology introduces English-speaking readers to Abe Kobo as critic and intellectual for the first time. Demonstrating the importance of his theoretical work to a broader understanding of his fiction—and a richer portrait of Japan's postwar imagination—Richard F. Calichman provides an incisive introduction to Abe Kobo's achievements and situates his essays historically and intellectually.
Abe as Critic
Essays connect creativity, human evolution, social questions, and literary theory across Abe's career.
Come here for
- Reflections on creativity and the evolution of the human species
- Literary, historical, and philosophical perspectives
Expect
- Twelve essays from across Abe's career
- An introduction situates the essays historically and intellectually
Where it sits
| Japanese Literary Criticism | 96% |
|---|---|
| Philosophy Writing | 35% |
| 20th-Century Literary Criticism | 23% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Art Criticism & Ideas
- History Writing
- Asian Literary Collections
- Japanese Literary Criticism
Show all 5 publisher categories
- Aesthetics
- Authors
- Kōbō Abe, Richard Calichman
- Publisher
- Columbia University Press
- Published
- September 13, 2016
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Reading lane
- Art Criticism & Ideas