Diary of a Mad Old Man

Junichiro Tanizaki's final novel introduces seventy-seven-year-old Utsugi, a man recovering from a stroke who meticulously records his physical decline and his increasingly intense desire for Satsuko, his beautiful, enigmatic daughter-in-law. Through the wry observations in his diary, Utsugi navigates the complexities of aging, obsession, and the indomitable will to find meaning in his twilight years.
Why You Should Read?
Explores the poignant and often humorous aspects of aging, desire, and mortality from a unique, first-person perspective.
Showcases Tanizaki's masterful psychological insight and his distinctive blend of dark humor and tragic elements.
Offers a fascinating glimpse into Japanese family dynamics and societal expectations through the lens of one man's unconventional desires.
A celebrated work by a Nobel Prize-nominated author, considered a classic of modern Japanese literature.