ABE AKIRA

(1934–1989)

   Abe Akira was a novelist, essayist, and literary critic from Hiroshima. He grew up in Kanagawa Prefecture and attended Tokyo University. He became involved in student theater productions while there, and in 1959 began work as a radio and television broadcast director, writing in his spare time. He won the Bungakkai Newcomer Prize for Kodomobeya (Children’s Room, 1962) and with his later work Shirei no kyuka (The Commander’s Holiday, 1970) garnered critical attention. He continued writing throughout the 1970s, penning the much-acclaimed short story “Momo” (Peaches, 1972). Many of his works were turned into plays, and his novels were centered on life experiences with his militaryveteran father and mentally retarded brother and son. He also wrote literary criticism. He died of acute heart failure.