The Final Martyrs (New Directions Paperbook) [Paperback]

Shusaku Endo (Author), Van C. Gessel (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 2009 | Series: New Directions Paperbook

An affirmation of faith and identity by Japan's leading Christian novelist.

Eleven short, deeply spiritual stories ranging from autobiographical serendipities to solemn, empathetic parables. The title story is set during the 18th-century Shogunate persecution of Christians in Japan.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a calm, delicate, unobtrusive manner, several of these 11 deceptively simple stories by Japanese novelist Endo (The Golden Country) show people wrestling with spiritual crises, extreme situations or life's central issues. In "The Last Supper," an alcoholic corporate executive confesses to a psychiatrist the source of his torment: as a starving soldier in WWII, he ate a dead comrade's flesh. In "Heading Home," a man exhumes his mother's body, buried 30 years earlier, in order to cremate her remains and place them with the ashes of his recently deceased brother. In the title story, set in the 1860s, when the Meiji government outlawed Christianity, a village coward recants his Christian faith to avoid the torture meted out to his fellow converts, but he ultimately redeems himself through an act of quiet courage. This deftly translated collection, comprised of stories written as early as 1959 and as late as 1985, also includes semi-autobiographical tales in which Endo deals with the traumatic impact that his parent's divorce had on his boyhood. He also writes with grace, compassion and gentle humor about old age, love betrayed, Japanese tourists and the marks we leave on the lives of others.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

This ably translated compilation of short stories clearly demonstrates the tension inherent in practicing a nonorganic religion in a culture foreign to the philosophy it espouses. Endo's works, collected here, show in many contexts the trials and triumphs of Christians practicing their religion in Japan. Both Westerners and Japanese are in the mix of situations presented, and the short story format sharply focuses the ideas and the events described, which present cultural differences in a bright light. From the cowardice turned into resolve shown in the title story to the gruesome and startling revelations of "The Last Supper," Endo demonstrates his mastery of a delicate and endlessly fascinating juncture of philosophies. Recommended for informed readers.
Mike Heines, USAF Rome Laboratory Technical Lib., N.Y.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: New Directions; Tra edition (January 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811218112
• ISBN-13: 978-0811218115
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #394,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Short Stories: Endo-Style, June 15, 2007

By 

Bu-Chan (Aotearoa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Final Martyrs (Hardcover)

This is the first book by Shusaku Endo I have read in a long while, so it has been good to get back into his work. "Final Martyrs" is a collection of short stories on a variety of themes, all of them very human and very much in Endo's usual style and focus.

The short stories are notable for their indebtedness to Endo's life. Many are set in French or European settings, or have elements of Endo's experienmces in Manchuria and his own parents' divorce. There is a lot of biographical content that works its way into the lives of the characters.

Each of the stories deals with issues of humanity, sometimes overtly faith issues, and others deeper, more psychological. All of them are succinct and punchy, often leaving this reader feeling something has been missed in the underlying meaning. However, this has not detracted from my enjoyment of the stories.

Elements of one or two of the stories are to be found in the longer novels that Endo wrote, which adds some richness for fans who might be considering adding this book to their Endo collection.

I took a bit longer to "get into it" than with other Endo books, but I am glad that I persisted and read to the end. The effort was worth it, and I soon warmed to Endo's short story style. Each story has something different to offer, and they are all rewarding, thought-provoking and deep reads.

In short, (pun intended, though cheap), this is an excellent book for Endo fans to increase their intake of Endo. New readers to Endo, I would advise starting with his novels, such as Silence or The Samurai (New Directions Classics). Other than that, "Final Martyrs" is a great book and one worth every effort to acquire.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Invitation into Yourself, December 15, 2009

By 

David W. Laplante - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Final Martyrs (New Directions Paperbook) (Paperback)

If you haven't read Endo, you may seriously consider purchasing one of his books.

His narrative is subtle. At first it seems simplistic, but his themes of self-discovery are powerful and challenging. I will tell you this: it takes awhile to get used to all the Japanese names. The effort is well worth it! His writing is hauting because it comes from his own journey of discover and path of self-doubt and the cruelties of life.