The Ruined Map

Kobo Abe wrote and published The Ruined Map in 1967. Set in Tokyo, the story follows a private detective named Mr. Nemuro. Takahashi seeks Nemuro's help in finding his missing brother-in-law, Katsumi, who disappeared after his wife's murder. Takahashi is desperate to uncover the truth behind the events and wants Nemuro to unravel the mystery surrounding Katsumi's disappearance.

As Nemuro delves into the investigation, he becomes increasingly entangled in a web of mystery and confusion. The novel explores themes of identity, perception, and the absurdity of human existence.

Nemuro's search for Katsumi takes him through the labyrinthine streets of Tokyo. He encounters a variety of eccentric characters and bizarre situations. The city itself becomes a metaphor for the disorienting and chaotic nature of the investigation.

Surreal and existential are the most apt words to describe Abe's writing style in The Ruined Map. He presents a fragmented narrative, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. What is real? What is a construct of Nemuro's mind? Readers will ponder these questions.

Throughout the novel, Abe explores the idea of the unreliable narrator and the shifting nature of truth. The boundaries between the protagonist's thoughts and external reality become increasingly blurred, reflecting the disintegration of traditional detective fiction tropes.