Book introduction

　This book explores the works of Abe Kobo (1924–1993), a writer active from the postwar period to the early Heisei era. Often described as an author of “unconventional works,” his stories feature seemingly inexplicable premises, such as a man who transforms into a plant or another who lives wearing a cardboard box.
　Yet, despite their complexity, readers find Abe’s literature fascinating. Why is that? Why do readers, despite struggling to understand his works, still find them so compelling? While much has been written about why Abe’s works are compelling, little attention has been given to why they are so difficult to understand.
　By analyzing their structure, I found that each of Abe’s works incorporates a vast range of literary influences. My hope is that this book shifts the perception of his literature from “hard to understand but interesting” to “interesting because of its rich complexity.”
　To reach as many readers as possible, I have included summaries in both English and Chinese at the end of the book.