The Pinch Runner Memorandum

By Kenzaburō Ōe, Michiko N. Wilson (translator), Michael K. Wilson (translator)

Book cover of The Pinch Runner Memorandum

Book description

This novel offers a contemporary and explosive picture of the nuclear family, which pivots on the bizarre odyssey of a Japanese father and son.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Pinch Runner Memorandum as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

An ex-nuclear researcher takes his mentally handicapped son out of school because he fails to convince the teachers and parents that the children should be trained in combat for when society inevitably decides to kill all handicapped children in Japan. So, naturally, they set off on a divine mission concerning warring student political factions, an atomic bomb, terrorism, and a shadowy mastermind named Big Shot. Their adventure is absolutely absurd, a demented dark comedy. Yet Ōe uses his profound ability to write with dire seriousness, which results in a mind-bending story.

From Guillermo's list on to violently bludgeon reality.

Want books like The Pinch Runner Memorandum?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Pinch Runner Memorandum.

Browse books like The Pinch Runner Memorandum

Book cover of A Clockwork Orange
Book cover of Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
Book cover of Splatterpunks: Extreme Horror

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,187

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Japan, nuclear weapons, and violence?

Japan 516 books
Nuclear Weapons 72 books
Violence 102 books