The Twilight World: The first novel from iconic filmmaker Werner Herzog

Werner Herzog's novel is about a Japanese soldier who defended a small island for twenty-nine years after the end of World War II. He was given orders to hold the island until the Imperial army's return and was forbidden to die by his own hand. He became fluent in the hidden language of the jungle and continued to fight his fictitious war, at once surreal and tragic. Herzog's writing bristles with the same eerie and uncompromising energy as his films.

Format: Hardback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 07 July 2022
Publisher: Vintage Publishing

In his debut novel, the renowned filmmaker Werner Herzog weaves an extraordinary tale of a Japanese soldier who valiantly defended a small island for a remarkable twenty-nine years following the conclusion of World War II. The soldier's unwavering commitment to his mission was rooted in his oath to hold the island until the Imperial army's return. He was entrusted with the task of defending its territory through guerrilla tactics, at all costs. However, there was a strict rule imposed upon him: he was forbidden to take his own life. In the event of his capture by the enemy, he was instructed to provide them with any misleading information he could.

In 1944, on Lubang Island in the Philippines, as Japanese troops prepared to withdraw, Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda received his orders from his superior officer. Thus, Onoda embarked on a protracted campaign that would span decades. During this time, he became an expert in the hidden language of the jungle, immersing himself in its complexities. As weeks transformed into months, and months into years, the passage of time seemed to blur. Onoda persisted in waging his fictional war, a surreal and tragic narrative that initially involved fellow soldiers and later became a solitary journey.

Werner Herzog's writing exudes the same haunting and uncompromising vitality that is characteristic of his films. The jungle in his novel comes alive with hallucinatory life, teeming with mysterious creatures and unseen forces. Herzog's prose paints a vivid picture of the soldier's isolation and the surreal nature of his existence on the island, where he became a character in his own novel.

Onoda's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of unwavering determination. His unwavering commitment to his mission, even in the face of impossible odds, is a reminder of the indomitable human spirit. Herzog's novel offers a profound exploration of truth, lies, illusion, and time, delving into the complexities of human nature and the enduring impact of war.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 204 x 138 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781847927231