The Pine Islands

Review Miraculous ... Poschmann has all the air of uncovered greatness -- John Self ― Guardian Published On: 2019-03-23A 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 Published On: 2019-03-13A 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 Published On: 2019-04-19If 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 IssueFunny, strange and sad ... a refreshing book for the curious reader ― HeraldReally 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 judgesAbsurdly delightful ― Straits TimesA masterpiece ― Die ZeitClever, poetic, funny ― TagesspiegelA dazzling little novel ― Süddeutsche ZeitungProfoundly serene, flawlessly beautiful ― TAZRavishingly funny ― Frankfurter Allgemeine ZeitungSimply wonderful ― Stern Product Description SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL PRIZE 2019AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERWhen 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. Book Description Shortlisted for The Man Booker International Prize 2019 - a charming, playful, profound tale of lost souls in search of transformation in modern Japan From the Back Cover 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.
About the Author Marion Poschmann was born in Essen in 1969. A prize-winning poet and novelist, she has won both of Germany's premier poetry prizes, has been twice shortlisted for the German Book Prize and won the 2013 Wilhelm Raabe Literature Prize.