Before Hiroshima: The Confession of Murayama Kazuo and Other Stories [Paperback]

Josh Barkan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2000

As death approaches, an old Japanese man finds it necessary to cleanse his soul, to confront the mistakes of his youth, and to confess about a time he might have been able to save the thousands who died at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The title novella is complemented by Suspended: Five Stories.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Barkan is an impressive storyteller." --The Times, London --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Josh Barkan was awarded a literature fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. He has taught writing at Harvard, New York University, and Boston University and is the author of the short-story collection Before Hiroshima. His first novel Blind Speed was named a finalist for the 2009 Paterson Fiction Prize. He spent much of his childhood abroad, living in Kenya, Tanzania, France and India. After attending Yale University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa, he spent a year teaching in Japan and received his MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. His writing has appeared in Esquire and as a contributor to The Boston Book Review. He lives in New York City and Mexico City. In 2011-2012 he is the writer-in-residence in Braddock, Pennsylvania, for Into the Furnace.

Product Details

• Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: The Toby Press, LLC (July 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1902881133
• ISBN-13: 978-1902881133
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #814,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Josh Barkan was awarded a literature fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. He has taught writing at Harvard, New York University, and Boston University and is the author of the short-story collection Before Hiroshima. His first novel Blind Speed was named a finalist for the 2009 Paterson Fiction Prize. He spent much of his childhood abroad, living in Kenya, Tanzania, France and India. After attending Yale University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa, he spent a year teaching in Japan and received his MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop. His writing has appeared in Esquire and as a contributor to The Boston Book Review. He lives in New York City and Mexico City. In 2011-2012 he is the writer-in-residence in Braddock, Pennsylvania, for Into the Furnace.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reach out, reach out and buy this boooook...., May 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Before Hiroshima: The Confession of Murayama Kazuo and Other Stories (Paperback)

Barkan brings his characters to life with deft strokes, giving the reader a real sense of emotional connection. A thoroughly enjoyable read, well worth the purchase.