The Miner by Natsume Soseki

It is hard to believe that this novel was written more than a century ago.  Though its roots are obviously deeply embedded in the era of imperialism, class structure and culture with which the author was familiar, it is, at the same time, striking in its modernity.

The young protagonist has fled his home, and pampered existence, in disgrace following romantic indiscretions. Searching for a place where he can end his life in isolation, his path crosses with that of a labour procurer for a mining company. After allowing himself to be persuaded that he should indeed become a miner, what follows is his every thought on the events that have brought him to this point, his journey to the mine and his first experience of the place itself.

While there are some very basic plot elements, 'The Miner' is essentially a stream of consciousness. Every feeling and thought is analysed to a staggering degree and yet, for me at least, the flow of the prose is a joy to follow.  Natsume Soseki, like many Japanese authors, does not waste a single word thereby enabling the reader to be a part of each moment of the young man's journey. These descriptive powers are especially remarkable during the protagonist's (no character name is ever given) first descent into the mine which is vividly claustrophobic to put it mildly. This moment finds the young man at the bottom of the internal spiral he has been travelling, again contemplating suicide by plunging into the depth of the mine. The enlightenment he experiences here, and on his climb back to the surface, is conveyed superbly by Soskei's sparse, lyrical style. The book does have a conclusion of a sort though it is not entirely necessary with this tale being a narration told by the older version of the boy.

This edition of 'The Miner' has a passionate introduction from one of my favourite Japanese authors, Haruki Murakami, which I found helpful in approaching this book. It is an insightful look at Natsume Soseki, the controversy surrounding publication and its place in his writings and it is complimented by an excellent essay by Jay Rubin which is well worth reading. 

A fine translation from Jay Rubin coupled with the timeless quality of the writing make 'The Miner' an excellent read, if you can handle some serious introspection, and one that I would very highly recommend.