Life of a Counterfeiter

Description

A master forger lives in obscurity and disappointment, oppressed by the shadow of the artist whose work he copies. Unglamorous, unadorned lives such as this form the focus of Yasushi Inoue's tenderly observed, elegantly distilled short stories - two of which are appearing in English for the first time. With a haunting emotional intensity, they offer glimpses of love lost and lives wasted. These three luminous, compassionate tales showcase the mastery and exquisite talent of one of Japan's most beloved writers.

Born in 1907, Yasushi Inoue worked as a journalist and literary editor for many years, only beginning his prolific career as an author in 1949 with Bullfight. He went on to publish 50 novels and 150 short stories, both historical and contemporary, his work making him one of Japan's major literary figures. In 1976 Inoue was presented with the Order of Culture, the highest honour granted for artistic merit in Japan. He died in 1991.

Praise for Bullfight: 'Perfection is the only word to describe this subtle tale' Irish Times; 'A disarmingly simple tale of ambition and entrepreneurial daring... written in tight, confident prose... provides readers of English with long-overdue access to an important Japanese voice' Financial Times; 'Superb... a straightforward depiction of urban life expands into a rich, philosophical exploration of human agency and choice' Independent on Sunday Delicate and powerful... a haunting, sensitive meditation on memory as well as a wonderful introduction to a master sorely underappreciated in the West Music and Literature This collection... skillfully creates compelling portraits of lives haunted by the past, unrealised ambitions, loss, memory and loneliness, while still engaging in a powerful way with the act of writing, reading and interpreting life and experience Review 31 Leav[es] the reader yearning for more Japan Times A masterly meditation on fate and obscurity... This haunting, elegiac trio makes clear Inoue's position as a Japanese literary master Publishers Weekly, starred review Two graceful new translations [of The Hunting Gun and Life of a Counterfeiter] should help expand [Inoue's] audience in English... These elegant new editions of Inoue's work are in keeping with his masterfully understated prose New York Times Book Review