Written in 1908 by Japanese writer 夏目 漱石, 'The Miner' follows a young man who leaves Tokyo and is later recruited by a stranger to work in the mines. The story delves deep into the existential thoughts and feelings of the nameless protagonist, whose vivid perception of others and awareness of his own self-identity often invites the reader into the narrator's dark psyche.
The novel doesn't have a conventional structure but continuously moves back and forth between the present day and the past regrets of the narrator as he battles feelings of self-doubt and depression. Embedded within the complex internal monologue of the narrator is a slight hint of dark humour that emerges throughout the novel and engages the reader as we begin to unravel his past. This experimental novel is one that you will want to read in one sitting, with the absence of chapters further reinforcing the stream of consciousness that binds the entirety of the novel. 'The Miner' is a classic and timeless story, leaving a deep impression on the reader as we are left pondering over the narrator's future. I would highly recommend reading this novel, let me know your thoughts in the comments down below or by replying to my post which you can find at @conversationswithkeiko