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A quiet life - Oe



Kenzaburo Oe is Nobel winning Japanese author. A quiet life is one of his finest creations ( I am lying. I haven't read any other book)
The story is told by a 20 year old girl - Ma-chan. She is taking care of the house and her two brothers. Her parents have gone to California where her father has taken up an assignment. And mother has accompanied him because he is in one of his depressions. The elder brother Eeyore is mentally retarded but is very sensitive and composes great music. The book describes the difficulties, anguishes and feeling of nothingness faced by the girl. She wants to protect Eeyore from everyone, but also realises their future as bleak. Family friend Sugeto teaches music to Eeyore and helps them. When Eeyore takes up swimming lessons, the coach Aril tries to seduce Ma-chan but she is saved by Eeyore. At this point of time mother realises how wrong she has been to leave the children and comes back to them.
A writer who is self-centered makes the children feel abandoned. Abondened is the name given by Eeyore to music he composes.

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