Kozui wa waga tamashii ni oyobi [My deluged Soul].

First edition. 2vols.  Original cloth in dust-jacket with protective plastic cover and original green slipcase. Each volume signed and dated: September 20th, 1973, vol.1 with a presentation inscription to Yoshitake Rikio. 246, [vi]; 246, [vi]pp. Tokyo, Shinchosha, 

Inscribed to Oe’s friend and editor Yoshitake Rikio: “To the best editor of this novel, this is my best work and ought to be called a collaboration” [our translation]. 

 

The book deals with the feelings of a father who notices that his mentally impaired son is reacting to the sound of bird's voices. Oe's writing is deeply personal. Indeed, the premise of this novel is based on Oe's experiences with his disabled son Hikari, whose fascination with birdsong led him on a path to becoming a composer.

 

Oe was awarded the prestigious Noma Literary Prize for this book. 

Stock Code: 248253