'The Gun' by Fuminori Nakamura delves into the dark journey of a young man named Nishikawa who becomes obsessed with a stolen gun. The narrative unfolds from a first-person existential viewpoint, exploring Nishikawa's consciousness as he grapples with the consequences of his newfound possession. The story builds tension as Nishikawa struggles to control his growing madness while his personal relationships deteriorate, mirroring the threat of violence that looms throughout the narrative.
The writing style of 'The Gun' is often described as spare, casual, and nihilistic, drawing readers into the unsettling world Nakamura creates. tackles themes of alienation, obsession, and existential crisis, reminiscent of classic works such as 'Crime and Punishment' and 'The Stranger'. Through Nishikawa's character, Nakamura crafts a narrative that explores the blurred lines between identity, possession, and violence, keeping readers engaged with its suspenseful and thought-provoking storyline.
From The Publisher:
A Tokyo college student's discovery and eventual obsession with a stolen handgun awakens something dark inside him.
On a nighttime walk along a Tokyo riverbank, a young man named Nishikawa stumbles on a dead body, beside which lies a gun. From the moment Nishikawa decides to take the gun, the world around him blurs. Knowing he possesses the weapon brings an intoxicating sense of purpose to his dull university life. But soon Nishikawa's personal entanglements become unexpectedly complicated: he finds himself romantically involved with two women while his biological father, whom he's never met, lies dying in a hospital. Through it all, he can't stop thinking about the gun-and the four bullets loaded in its chamber. As he spirals into obsession, his focus is consumed by one idea: that possessing the gun is no longer enough-he must fire it.
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About the Author:
Fuminori Nakamura was born in 1977 and graduated from Fukushima University in 2000. He has won numerous prizes for his writing, including the Ōe Prize, Japan's largest literary award; the David L. Goodis Award; and the prestigious Akutagawa Prize. The Thief, his first novel to be translated into English, was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His other novels include The Kingdom, Evil and the Mask, The Boy in the EarthLast Winter, We Parted.
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