Life for Sale
Life for Sale
Book Brief
Beta192
Novel • Fiction
Tokyo, Japan • 1960s
2019
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Life for Sale by Yukio Mishima, a person disillusioned with life offers it for sale in a newspaper ad. This leads them into a series of dangerous and bizarre encounters, challenging their perception of value and existence. Mishima explores themes of existentialism and the human condition through this unconventional narrative.
Mysterious
Dark
Contemplative
Unnerving
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
12,697 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Yukio Mishima's Life for Sale captivates with its satirical and philosophical exploration of life's worth. Critics praise its dark humor and sharp societal critique, though some find its narrative fragmented. The protagonist's reckless abandon provides a thrilling, if sometimes unsettling, journey through existential themes. A unique blend of absurdity and depth.
Who Should Read Life for Sale?
A reader who enjoys existential and darkly comedic narratives would appreciate Life for Sale by Yukio Mishima. Fans of Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five or Haruki Murakami’s A Wild Sheep Chase will be drawn to its quirky plot and exploration of life’s absurdity.
12,697 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Life for Sale was originally serialized in the magazine Weekly Playboy in 1968, showcasing a unique collaboration between a prominent literary figure and a popular men's magazine.
Mishima's exploration of existential themes in Life for Sale reflects his broader philosophical inquiries, particularly the tension between life, death, and personal freedom.
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The novel gained renewed attention when it was adapted into a Japanese television drama series in 2018, introducing Mishima's work to a new generation of viewers.
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192
Novel • Fiction
Tokyo, Japan • 1960s
2019
Adult
18+ years
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