Review of Hell of Solitude: Selected Writings of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa

Akutagawa is one of those authors whose work only grows more valuable and interesting as time passes. 

Few other short story authors were able to consistently produce surprising and masterful tales. Perhaps only Poe surpassed Akutagawa at his best.

This is the second collection produced by translator Ryan Choi. 35 of the 36 pieces here have never appeared in book form in English. I had read “Momotarō” in one previous collection. “The Piano” was also translated once by N. A. Feathers. I had seen a few of these in obscure publications, but never collected. One day, I hope to be able to read the complete works of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, and this volume brings us one step closer. Choi consummately translates prose that feels true to the author’s intentions. It never stands out as a translation, but provides a transparent glass through which the reader can clearly perceive the voice of the author.

Several poems are included that display a different side of the author’s craft. At times, he could be sentimental, but his precision is never in short supply. Many of the sketches relate to the author’s interactions with comrades and various reminiscences. His bookish ramblings were awfully compelling. I love hearing how authors react to other authors. It is interesting to wonder how Tolstoy, Poe, Lafcadio Hearn and Tanizaki may have influenced Akutagawa. The story “Glimpses of Poe,” is a classic example.

“Hell of Solitude” is a stand-out piece. “The War Between the Monkey and the Crab,” is another of his typical fables. He took inspiration from authors like Pu Songling and collections like Konjaku Monogatarishū. Of course, he puts his own personality into the retellings.

It is sad to think that all of Akutagawa’s masterpieces have already made their way into English and that the only works that remain are minor sketches. Though we may not get something like “Hell-Screen,” “Rashomon,” or the like, there are still works like “Memoirs of a Midget,” which are waiting to be published in English in book form. It is certainly worth the effort to bring everything he wrote to light. I applaud the effort of this translator for selecting a beautiful sampling of the remainder and carefully rendering them into exquisite English.

I hope to add a third and a fourth volume to accompany this and the other one:In Dreams: The Very Short Stories of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa.
I will continue to cherish and reread the work of one of my favorite authors every year.