Shusaku Endo’s The Sea and Poison is the first WWII novel of the Literature and War Readalong. The first time I read about this book was on Parrish’s blog (here is his review). Its topic is very unpleasant. Endo focuses on the theme of morality, exploring it through the central story of the vivisection of an American prisoner of war by three Japanese surgeons.
I just discovered that there is a movie based on the book that can be watched on YouTube. I did attach the first part as a teaser.
Although it might be an unpleasant topic I’m looking forward to read my first Endo. Since it is a very short book, only 160 pages, I hope some of you will be in the mood to read along but I would understand if the topic isn’t to everybody’s liking.
Should someone want to watch the movie instead and review it, that would be great as well and I would link the review.
Beauty is a Sleeping Cat 
I requested this from the library. Sounds intense, but I’m looking forward to reading it for the readalong.
I’ll be posting my review of The Winter of the World on Wed. Just finished it last night, and I’m still processing it.
I gree, it will be intense but I’m very interested in reading it and maybe watch the movie too. The Winter of the World had parts that were really powerful. I’m looking forward to your review.
I should have link this post to my my teaser tuesday today, but this post came up right after I scheduled my TT post, will change it tomorrow.
I have read it till page 30 today, it should be a fast read but I am not feeling quite well and reading makes me feel so sleepy (due to the drug)
There is a lot of time still. I think it will be a fast read. Will you watch the movie too? Sorry to hera you are not well. Get well soon!
I don’t think so.My computer is currently unable to produce sound.
That would not exactly be the same as with sound. 🙂
One I think I will enjoy through your review, Caroline, and the thoughts others leave here. I can get through battlefield scenes but vivisection I think I’ll leave to other readers! Always interesting to hear what people think about the gritty books, though.
I hope it isn’t too explicit. You can write about the theme without going into details. I know Endo is a modern classic but there are also other books should you be interested.
I didn’t realize this dealt with experimentation on POWs–I hope he doesn’t go into too much detail. It sounds very intense–maybe I should start reading now and take it in small doses?
That’s what I intend to do as well. I think Parrish mentioned somewhere that it wasn’t very graphic. I got the idea to read it from him last year, I dodn’t think I would have wanted to go for it if he had made it sound too explicit.
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