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Literary Fiction· Japan

Snow Country

by Yasunari Kawabata
Aggregate Editorial Score71/100
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Published 1968179 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Published in 1968, Snow Country established Yasunari Kawabata as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. A wealthy Tokyo dilettante travels to a remote mountain hot-spring town and falls into a hopeless love affair with a geisha. Kawabata's first major novel is celebrated for its haiku-like prose style and its evocation of Japanese aesthetics, mono no aware, and the transience of beauty. It was central to his Nobel Prize as a supreme example of Japanese literary spirit. Themes of beauty, transience, longing run through the work. The book has received recognition from Nobel Prize in Literature 1968 and Goodreads Choice Award 1956.

Book Details

AuthorYasunari Kawabata
Published1968
Country of Origin🇯🇵 Japan
LanguageEnglish
Pages179
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780679761069
Editorial Score71/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇯🇵 Japan

This book is part of Japan's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Japan →

Editorial Assessment

Yasunari Kawabata published Snow Country in 1968, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from Japan. The book's treatment of beauty, transience, longing, Japanese culture accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed Snow Country among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Nobel Prize in Literature 1968; Goodreads Choice Award 1956. Our aggregate score of 71/100 is compiled from 2 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes Snow Country is how it handles its central concerns — beauty, transience, longing, Japanese culture — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Within Japan's literary landscape, Yasunari Kawabata occupies a significant position. Snow Country is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 2 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Nobel Prize in Literature
winner · global
196860
Goodreads Choice Award
notable · global
195613
✍️
About the Author
Yasunari Kawabata
Japan
View Author →

Yasunari Kawabata is a celebrated author from Japan known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Snow Country about?

A wealthy Tokyo dilettante travels to a remote mountain hot-spring town and falls into a hopeless love affair with a geisha. Kawabata's first major novel is celebrated for its haiku-like prose style and its evocation of Japanese aesthetics, mono no aware, and the transience of beauty. It was central to his Nobel Prize as a supreme example of Japanese literary spirit.

Who wrote Snow Country?

Snow Country was written by Yasunari Kawabata, from Japan. First published in 1968.

What awards has Snow Country won?

Snow Country has received the following awards and honours: Nobel Prize in Literature 1968; Goodreads Choice Award 1956.

Is Snow Country worth reading?

Snow Country is a widely acclaimed work with strong critical consensus, with an aggregate editorial score of 71/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 2 editorial sources. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in beauty, transience, longing.

Where can I buy Snow Country?

You can buy Snow Country on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Snow Country?

Snow Country is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Snow Country from?

Snow Country originates from Japan's literary tradition. Explore more books from Japan on our country page.

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