fiction files redux discussion

Salut, my fellow Dorks!!

So, not that I don't have ten thousand other books in queue, including those for our group, BUT as some of you know I am a HUGE lover of Japanese literature and yet, I have never read anything from Kenzaburō Ōe, although I've been meaning to for some time.

I was wondering if anyone in the group has read/enjoyed his works and if so, would you be so kind as to give me some recommendations as to which of his works might be a good place to start?

p.S> I currently only own An Echo of Heaven, but I've heard/read that this might be a little heavy as a first glimpse into his world. What do you think?

Micha wrote: "this might be a little heavy as a first glimpse into his world. What do you think? .."

Most of his work is on the heavy side. Be sure you're in a good place before you read his work.

I've read A Quiet Life and A Personal Matter and enjoyed them both. A Personal Matter is the heavier of the two.

I dunno, sometimes reading heavy stuff in dark weather and rain can be refreshing. For me at least. So I say jump in and read it. I really enjoyed A Personal Matter, and honestly didn't think it was all that heavy, or at least maybe the heaviness was approached obliquely. Anyway, I think you'll really enjoy it.