Holes/ Feeling trapped

advanced
upper intermediate
byomk3
4 items
10
favorite_border
Holes in fiction kind of fascinate me. A hole can be an entrance (to a burrow, a cave, another dimension), or it can be a trap. A hole in the wall may mean that someone has been watching, that something has entered uninvited, or that the wall is crumbling. I was surprised to find that holes are well represented in Japanese fiction. In this list I won't only include books that feature holes explicitly, but also books where the feeling of being trapped (physically or metaphorically) is strong. Books that feature the word 穴 in the title won't necessarily be included if the hole is uninspiring or only a minor element.
穴
Novel
Level 36
Stuck alone in the countryside while her husband is at work most of the day, a woman starts encountering mysterious holes around the fields. When she falls into one, she discovers the size fits her exactly.
Stuck alone in the countryside while her husband is at work most of the day, a woman starts encountering mysterious holes around the fields. When she falls into one, she discovers the size fits her exactly.
穴らしきものに入る
Novel
Level 30
Read ReviewView
There are several crazy stories in this book. The titular one is all about holes. A man suddenly discovers that he can physically enter (and come out of) holes of any size (starting with the hose as he's washing his car). From this begins his obsession to enter every hole imaginable.
There are several crazy stories in this book. The titular one is all about holes. A man suddenly discovers that he can physically enter (and come out of) holes of any size (starting with the hose as he's washing his car). From this begins his obsession to enter every hole imaginable.
化身
Novel
Level 37
Read ReviewView
In the titular story, the main (and only) character falls into what is essentially a hole: a lake with sheer walls that he can't climb out of. The whole story is about him trying to escape this hole, and adjusting to living in it.
In the titular story, the main (and only) character falls into what is essentially a hole: a lake with sheer walls that he can't climb out of. The whole story is about him trying to escape this hole, and adjusting to living in it.
砂の女
Novel
Level 45
Read ReviewView
A very clear feeling of being trapped. There's also actual holes in the sand, at the bottom of which are houses that are constantly threatened by sand avalanches.
A very clear feeling of being trapped. There's also actual holes in the sand, at the bottom of which are houses that are constantly threatened by sand avalanches.
About us Support us Blog
Forums Our Grading System Request Item Contact

Amazon Affiliate

As an Amazon Associate, Natively earns from qualifying purchases through any Amazon links on the site.
All of our Movie & TV metadata comes from the wonderful project, The Movie Database. Thank you! While we are permitted to use the TMDB API, we have not been endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Copyright Ⓒ 2022. Natively. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Terms & Conditions