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The Pine Islands
The Pine Islands | Marion Poschmann
11 posts | 8 read | 6 to read
When Gilbert Silvester, a journeyman lecturer on beard fashions in film, awakes one day from a dream that his wife has cheated on him, he flees - immediately, irrationally, inexplicably - for Japan. In Tokyo he discovers the travel writings of the great Japanese poet Basho. Suddenly, from Gilbert's directionless crisis there emerges a purpose: a pilgrimage in the footsteps of the poet to see the moon rise over the pine islands of Matsushima. Falling into step with another pilgrim - a young Japanese student called Yosa, clutching a copy of The Complete Manual of Suicide - Gilbert travels with Yosa across Basho's disappearing Japan, one in search of his perfect ending and the other the new beginning that will give his life meaning. The Pine Islands is a serene, playful, profoundly moving story of the transformations we seek and the ones we find along the way.
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batsy
The Pine Islands | Marion Poschmann
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Surprise bookmail is the best kind 😍 Thank you so much for passing this on @Smarkies ❤️ I've heard about this and found the description intriguing, so I appreciate having the chance to read it!

Smarkies Glad that it got to you! I thought it might suit your reading tastes. 4y
batsy @Smarkies Many thanks! It does sound like my kind of book :) 4y
Tanisha_A That's a beautiful cover 4y
See All 6 Comments
batsy @Tanisha_A It's lovely, isn't it 💙 4y
LeahBergen Pretty cover! 4y
readordierachel Oh, pretty! 4y
77 likes2 stack adds6 comments
review
Abailliekaras
The Pine Islands | Marion Poschmann
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Pickpick

I loved this. A drily funny, odd couple journey with Gilbert and Yoshi, with philosophy and the poetry of Basho. Also a beautiful mediation on Japan and I loved the scenes in Tokyo and later amongst the pine trees. Economical writing: Poschman knows exactly when to cut in and out of a scene. Gilbert is unlikeable but becomes more self-aware & sympathetic. Glorious haikus. A comforting read, I recommend it.

40 likes1 stack add
review
Smarkies
The Pine Islands | Marion Poschmann
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Mehso-so

Not too sure what to think about this one.... A short book which was translated from German about a man who travels from Germany to Japan after he has an altercation with his wife. He then goes on a sort of pilgrimage along certain places in Japan which ends up at Matsushima (The Pine Islands).
The story had an interesting premise but somehow the writing did not connect with me.

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charl08
The Pine Islands | Marion Poschmann
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Travelling to Japan with my book. I quite fancy a toilet with sound effects.

46 likes1 stack add
review
andrew61
The Pine Islands | Marion Poschmann
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Pickpick

Do you ever start a review on gr going lower on your star rating then persuade yourself as you tap away that you'll rate it higher. Well that is whst i did on this curious tale of a German pr running away to Japan, meeting a suicidal young man, following the trail of a famous poet through woods, fast trains, obscure performance art, non flowering cherry blossom, to title beauty spot. A bizarre read which i struggled thru but in hindsight enjyd 4*.

Lindy That happens to me. Sometimes it takes a while for the effect to sink in. 6y
33 likes1 comment
review
Redwritinghood
The Pine Islands | Marion Poschmann
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Panpan

I really did not understand what the author was trying to do with this book. I understand that Gilbert travels to Japan on a whim and decides to follow in the steps of Basho. In Tokyo, he meets a young man following a book on places suitable for suicide. At each spot in their travels, the reality doesn‘t fit the splendor described in the books. No suitable spot for suicide is found. The majesty of Basho‘s Japan no longer exists. Otherwise, 🤷🏻‍♀️

83 likes1 comment
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ju.ca.no
The Pine Islands | Marion Poschmann
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Finished my first book during #deweysreadathon
I‘m not quite sure what to think of it, I was not to fond of the main character. He acted in a very selfish way. But I liked his journey through Japan😊 3/5⭐️
#readathon

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ju.ca.no
The Pine Islands | Marion Poschmann
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This is my current #TBR for #Deweysreadathon but I might change it again🙈 I‘m ready and excited😊 #readathon

Tanisha_A Eee, have fun! 😀 6y
Sarah83 Great choices 😍 6y
Kalalalatja I‘m so excited! 6y
ju.ca.no @Tanisha_A @Sarah83 thank you😍 @Kalalalatja me too!😍 what is better than reading and snacks😍 6y
83 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
Simona
The Pine Islands | Marion Poschmann
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Mehso-so

Gilbert is convinced that his wife has cheated on him,he flees to the Tokyo where he becomes a ‘friend‘ with the young man who wants to commit suicide.Together they explore suitable places, following the path of the poet and traveler Bosho. I‘m in very conflicted situation with this book. Story is in many points, well, pointless and messy ... and if I compare it with the others from longlist - quite weak, but I did enjoyed in prose and its oddity.

57 likes1 comment
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ju.ca.no
The Pine Islands | Marion Poschmann
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Another belated birthday present😍 it sounds intriguing!

Cathythoughts Beautiful post ⭐️ 6y
62 likes1 comment