Patient X

In this evocative collection of twelve connected tales, acclaimed author David Peace explores the tumultuous life of the brilliant Japanese writer Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, whose influential work inspired Akira Kurosawa's film Rashōmon. Through haunting narratives, Peace delves into Akutagawa's struggles with mental illness, his complex family background, and his reactions to Japan's modernization, ultimately crafting a deeply moving portrayal of a singularly brilliant mind that left an indelible mark on literature.