Twilight World Novel

"A potent, vaporous fever dream; a meditation on truth, lie, illusion, and time that floats like an aromatic haze through Herzog’s vivid reconstruction of Onoda’s war.” —The New York Times Book Review

Werner Herzog, the celebrated filmmaker, presents his national bestseller in the form of his first novel. This book delves into the remarkable tale of Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese soldier who valiantly defended a small island in the Philippines for twenty-nine years following the conclusion of World War II.

During a visit to Tokyo in 1997 to direct an opera, Herzog expressed his desire to meet Hiroo Onoda when asked by his hosts. Onoda, known for his persistent defense of the island long after the war ended, struck a chord with Herzog. The two men forged a strong connection, meeting several times to discuss and unravel the intriguing narrative of Onoda's enduring battle.

In late 1944 on Lubang Island, Onoda opted to remain behind on the directive of his commanding officer as Japanese troops were retreating. For years to come, he waged a solitary war, initially alongside fellow soldiers before carrying on alone, embodying a character within his own imagined novel.

In "The Twilight World," Herzog beautifully immortalizes Onoda's surreal yet epic struggle in a distinctive, mesmerizing style that blends elements of documentary, poetry, and dream-like sequences - a familiar touch for fans of his cinematic works. The novel stands on its own, offering a luminous, ethereal meditation on the significance and purpose we attribute to our lives.

product information: