1.
Woman of the Sand
2.
mind
3.
Alice in Wonderland
4.
No Longer Human
5.
Treasure Island
6.
The Age of Innocence
7.
The Great Gatsby
8.
we

★ We are all within the sphere of influence of the classics.
★ Classic plots that form the basis of popular culture such as movies, musicals, and games
★ He who knows the workings of human nature wins the heart of the world.
★ This is why you should go through the trouble of buying it, or rather, why you should buy it and read the classics.

# Why you should read 『Classic Review Toon, Passion and Coolness (Coldness Edition)』

Classical literature contains timeless wisdom and insight, but many find it inaccessible.
The "Classic Review Toon, Passion and Coolness" series breaks down these barriers, providing an easy and enjoyable way to encounter the classics, the greatest intellectual achievements of humanity.
The 'Cold-hearted Edition' contains eight masterpieces, including 'The Woman in the Dunes', 'No Longer Human', and 'The Great Gatsby', reinterpreted through the unique perspective of a classic traveler, Kidunist, in one volume. This makes it a friendly guide for those new to the classics and offers the joy of a new interpretation to readers familiar with the classics.
It adds depth to the reading experience by including not only the plot and characters of the work, but also the historical background and hidden stories of the author.

Reading classics goes beyond simply acquiring knowledge; it is a process of sharing the universal experiences and wisdom of humanity.
Classical works transcend time and culture, providing insight into essential human concerns and questions, and providing crucial perspectives for understanding the complex issues of modern society.
In particular, "Us" introduced in this book is a prototype of dystopian literature, and offers a perspective that is still valid in discussions about today's surveillance society and individual freedom.
『Heart』 and 『No Longer Human』 delicately portray the loneliness and alienation within the human mind, deeply resonating with the psychological concerns of modern people.
Through "The Great Gatsby," we have the opportunity to reflect on materialism and the illusion of the American dream.

The "Classic Reviewtoon, Passion and Coolness" series explores the world of classics, which were difficult to approach in the familiar format of comics, in an easy-to-understand and interesting way.
Moreover, the author's witty interpretation provides a fresh perspective even to readers who have previously read the classics.
Through this book, readers can easily access humanity's intellectual heritage that transcends time and space, and gain insights that can help them understand life and society more deeply today.
It is a valuable companion for readers taking their first steps toward the classics, as well as for those already swimming in the sea of ​​classics.

Review Work Introduction

The Woman in the Sand
An entomologist becomes stranded in a desert village.
The man meets a woman whose life is repetitive, requiring her to dig up sand every day, and together they become trapped in a sand pit and attempt to escape.
It is considered a masterpiece of modern Japanese literature, as it deeply explores the absurdity of human existence and the essence of freedom.
The author's position was solidified when he won the 14th Yomiuri Literary Award in 1962, and it is considered a masterpiece of absurdist and existentialist literature that has been translated into many languages ​​around the world.

"mind"
The protagonist, 'I', meets a man named 'Teacher' by chance in Tokyo and becomes fascinated by his life.
'I' exchange letters with the teacher and hear about the teacher's past and deep inner pain.
This work depicts the individualism, loneliness in human relationships, and moral responsibility of the late Meiji period, and is considered a representative work of modern Japanese literature.
It is considered the pinnacle of Natsume Soseki's later literature, and has long been loved by Japanese readers for its excellence in psychological description and narrative structure.
Since its publication in 1914, it has continued to influence school education and popular culture.

Alice in Wonderland
Alice follows the white rabbit down a hole and embarks on an adventure into Wonderland, a land filled with strange creatures and bizarre events.
In this place where reality and fantasy are intertwined, Alice struggles with identity and logic.
Published in 1865, this work is a classic of children's literature and a representative work of nonsense literature, satirizing Victorian society through wordplay and symbolism.
It is considered an original work that has inspired numerous interpretations and re-creations worldwide and has influenced various fields such as literature, art, and psychology.

No Longer Human
The protagonist, Yozoh, is unable to form genuine relationships with others and falls apart amid hypocrisy and debauchery, ultimately feeling that he has been 'disqualified from being human.'
His confession is a record of despair and loss of self.
This novel, which heavily reflects Osamu Dazai's autobiographical elements, dramatically depicts the anxiety and individual isolation of post-war Japanese society.
Since its publication, it has enjoyed steady popularity and established itself as a masterpiece of modern Japanese literature, widely read as a work symbolizing the aesthetics of despair and existential anguish.

Treasure Island
Young Jim Hawkins sets out on a voyage to find treasure, following a pirate's map he accidentally acquires, and battles the cunning pirate Long John Silver along the way.
At the end of his adventure, he realizes the value of justice and courage.
Since its publication in 1883, it has been a classic that has set the standard for pirate adventures, and has been loved by both children and adults for its exciting plot and vivid characters.
It popularized the idea that 'the X marks the treasure' and had a major influence on modern pop culture, and it is still being recreated in numerous adaptations and parodies to this day.

The Age of Innocence
Newland Archer, a young upper-class New Yorker, falls in love with the free-spirited Ellen before his wedding to his fiancée.
He suppresses personal desires and chooses social responsibility.
This work delicately depicts the conflict between old-fashioned norms and the modern self, and in 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize.
It is considered a masterpiece of American classic literature, and sharply depicts the hypocrisy and suppressed emotions of upper-class society.

The Great Gatsby
Mysterious rich man Gatsby lives a life of luxury in order to win back his love from his past lover, Daisy, a married woman.
However, his dream is frustrated, and he eventually meets a tragic death.
It is a representative work that criticizes the materialism and illusion of 1920s America and symbolizes the collapse of the American Dream.
Although it did not receive much attention when first published, it was re-evaluated after its publication and has since established itself as a masterpiece of American literature, and is widely read as required reading in modern American higher education.

"we"
D-503, a mathematician living in the totalitarian state of 'One Nation', meets I-330, a free woman in his controlled life, and becomes confused and begins to question the system.
Eventually, he becomes involved in anti-government activities, but brain surgery leaves him emotionally drained and he becomes compliant.
It is considered a prophetic warning about the early totalitarianism of the Soviet Union and a prototype of dystopian literature.
Although it was banned from publication in its home country due to censorship immediately after its publication, it later had a great influence on George Orwell and Aldous Huxley.
It is a pioneering work of 20th-century anti-utopian literature.