Frozen Dreams: A Japanese Adventure Novel

by Wahei Tatematsu, Philip Gabriel (Translation)

For the first time in English, a modern classic in Japanese literature and one of the best stories of mountaineering ever written  Based on a real-life tragedy in 1965, this novel tells the story of a party of climbers on the Hidaka mountain range on Japan's northern island. In spite of weather warnings, six men attempt an ascent on the highest peak, Mount Poroshiri—a fateful decision that costs all their lives as they are caught up in an avalanche. Miraculously, one climber, Odagiri, is known to have survived for four days after his companions had frozen to death. The reader enters the mind of Odagiri trapped in snow, half-frozen, half-asleep, and revisiting his past as death slowly creeps upon him, telling his own story and that of an adventure gone wrong. A unique masterpiece of stream-of-consciousness and thrilling adventure, this is Tatematsu's most famous novel in Japan, brought to readers in English for the first time.

Genres: Japanese Literature, Japan

200 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2012

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noboru and two other young men, all very soon to graduate from university, take three amateurs from the climbing club up a snowy mountain in Hokkaido. One of the amateurs is an attractive young woman called Yuko and there's some fun "too many roosters in the hen house" action at the start of their adventure. But soon Yuko makes it plain that she only has eyes for Noboru.

There's an avalanche. Noboru is dying in the snow. Over four days. He digs to Yuko and finds her face. He dreams of the life they would have led together and of all the times they would have come to these same mountains.

Put on a sad record and have a good cry.

[Farah Fitria Sari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sedih. Gue baca ini agak ke-puzzled gitu karena nggak tau mana yang kenyataan dan mana yang nggak. Tapi kalo dipikir-pikir lagi, ini buku emang kejem banget. Nyeritain apa aja yang bisa mereka lakuin kalo mereka survive dan itu kerasa real, gue bingung.

[Zelda Rhiando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the true story of six university students who go climbing despite warnings of bad weather, and are caught in an avalanche. Miraculously, one of the climbers survives for four days after his companions have perished, and revisits his life as he gradually loses feeling, and eventually, consciousness. It’s an amazingly evocative description of Japan’s frozen wilderness.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fresh Breath Of Air

I really enjoyed this

Best Japanese fiction in a good while.

Mountain exploring and couple.

Adventure, interesting, well written, and actually entertaining.

Would recommend checking this out if you like early Haruki Murakami. I found it similar.

I will definitely be checking out this author for more books.

4.5/5

[Stephen Rowland · Rating 1 out of 5]

More like "Boring Dreams."

[Daniel Mayles · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't think you should ever write a fiction book about a traggic event that happened in real life.