Description

SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL PRIZE 2019

AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

When Gilbert wakes one day from a dream that his wife has cheated on him, he flees – immediately and inexplicably – for Tokyo, where he meets a fellow lost soul: Yosa, a young Japanese student clutching a copy of The Complete Manual of Suicide. Together, Gilbert and Yosa set off on a pilgrimage to see the pine islands of Matsushima, one looking for the perfect end to his life, the other for a fresh start.

Playful and profound, The Pine Islands is a beautiful tale of friendship, transformation and acceptance in modern Japan.

Publisher Review

Miraculous ... Poschmann has all the air of uncovered greatness -- John Self * Guardian * A remarkably tender exploration of modern life ... Poschmann reveals the still beauty to be found in life beneath a mask of black humour. -- Mia Colleran * Irish Times * A blackly funny novel, in which the rhythms of modern life slowly give way to the restorative poetry of the natural world. -- Claire Allfree * Daily Mail * If you've ever wondered how a writer of imagination and wit might blend Murakami-style mysticism with black-humoured realism, this diverting novel will tell you everything you need to know. * Big Issue * A funny, strange and sad read ... Marion Poschmann's writing - translated into English by Jen Calleja - is deliciously vivid ... this is a refreshing book for the curious reader * Herald * Really fascinating ... on the face of it a simple story with a sort of surreality to it, a playfulness as well ... interesting, left-field ... we absolutely loved it ... a comic confrontation with mortality -- Bettany Hughes, chair of the 2019 Man Booker International Prize judges Absurdly delightful * Straits Times * A masterpiece * Die Zeit * Clever, poetic, funny * Tagesspiegel * A dazzling little novel * Suddeutsche Zeitung * Profoundly serene, flawlessly beautiful * TAZ * Ravishingly funny * Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung * Simply wonderful * Stern *