
2021 Longlist
The Pine Islands
Translated from the German by Jen Calleja
ABOUT
THE BOOK
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Country
Germany
Original Language
German
Publisher
Serpent’s Tail
Translator
Jen Calleja
Translation
Translated from the German by Jen Calleja
Nominating Library