An Artist of the Floating World
12 journalers for this copy...
from the back cover:
In the face of the misery he saw in his homeland, the artist Masuji Ono was unwilling to devote his art solely to the celebration of physical beauty. Instead, he envisioned a strong and powerful Japan of the future, and put his work in the service of the imperialist movement that led Japan into World War II. Now, as the mature Ono struggles through the devastation of that war, his memories of his youth and of the "floating world" - the nocturnal realm of pleasure, entertainment, and drink - offer him both escape and redemption, even as they punish him for betraying his early promise as an artist. Drifting in disgrace in postwar Japan, indicted by society for its defeat and reviled for his past aesthetics, he relives the passage through his personal history that makes him both a hero and a coward but, above all, a human being.
****
I liked it enough - it is a short book - but at the end I felt that something was still missing. It seemed as if the implications all along were that Ono had done something terribly wrong during the war years, and he either did not realize it or did not wish to acknowledge it now that he was no longer painting. Everyone seems to hint to him that he needs to make amends or some kind of acknowledgment to whatever he might have done, but then when he does so, they are surprised by it, that this what not what they expected or wanted from him. And then it is never explained as to what everyone else was hinting and wanted from Ono.
In the face of the misery he saw in his homeland, the artist Masuji Ono was unwilling to devote his art solely to the celebration of physical beauty. Instead, he envisioned a strong and powerful Japan of the future, and put his work in the service of the imperialist movement that led Japan into World War II. Now, as the mature Ono struggles through the devastation of that war, his memories of his youth and of the "floating world" - the nocturnal realm of pleasure, entertainment, and drink - offer him both escape and redemption, even as they punish him for betraying his early promise as an artist. Drifting in disgrace in postwar Japan, indicted by society for its defeat and reviled for his past aesthetics, he relives the passage through his personal history that makes him both a hero and a coward but, above all, a human being.
****
I liked it enough - it is a short book - but at the end I felt that something was still missing. It seemed as if the implications all along were that Ono had done something terribly wrong during the war years, and he either did not realize it or did not wish to acknowledge it now that he was no longer painting. Everyone seems to hint to him that he needs to make amends or some kind of acknowledgment to whatever he might have done, but then when he does so, they are surprised by it, that this what not what they expected or wanted from him. And then it is never explained as to what everyone else was hinting and wanted from Ono.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Added to ivylibra224's 3rd 1001 Books box.
Added to ivylibra224's 3rd 1001 Books box.
Took out of Ivylibra224 1001 Book Box. Thanks for pitching it in waterfalling!
I agree with waterfalling, this one left me wanting a little more resolution. After reading Never Let Me Go, I can see some of Ishiguro's style in this earlier work. We have a somewhat unreliable narrator who frequently let's us know he might be unreliable, by saying such things as, "At least, I think that's what he said. I do sharply remember..." He starts off seeming self-effacing, but the reader quickly deduces he has a pretty high opinion of himself, by the compliments he reports from others and his "humble" disregard for those remarks. All the early anecdotes are marshaled to show him as man of reputation, renown and influence in the art world. It's only later we start to see the cracks and begin to think there is more to his war record than he originally let on. But, as waterfalling said, when he owns up, the very people who pressed him for acknowledgment, were annoyed and puzzled.
In spite of the ending, I enjoyed the book - its use of language, structure and character development - and would recommend it to others. There may be some depth I missed.
2009 ULTIMATE CHALLENGE
2009 REDUCE MT. TBR CHALLENGE
#6 2009 KEEP THEM MOVING CHALLENGE
In spite of the ending, I enjoyed the book - its use of language, structure and character development - and would recommend it to others. There may be some depth I missed.
2009 REDUCE MT. TBR CHALLENGE
#6 2009 KEEP THEM MOVING CHALLENGE
This one is going on a journey. Because it's so short, I'm asking that you keep it no more than 2 weeks. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did. The line up so far is:
1. mrsboknows - US
2. Goddess-Of-Fire - US
3. jaenelle - US (asked to be skipped)
4. Caroley - UK
5. Wigglywoods - UK
6. OnlyLiana - UK
7. Ashleigh4985 - UK
8. DryKid - UK (asked to be skipped)
9. Danielle23 - UK
10. jaynereader - UK
11. Vilda - Sweden (as the last person in the ray, I hope you choose to donate the book to the 1001 library) <--HERE
1. mrsboknows - US
2. Goddess-Of-Fire - US
3. jaenelle - US (asked to be skipped)
4. Caroley - UK
5. Wigglywoods - UK
6. OnlyLiana - UK
7. Ashleigh4985 - UK
8. DryKid - UK (asked to be skipped)
9. Danielle23 - UK
10. jaynereader - UK
11. Vilda - Sweden (as the last person in the ray, I hope you choose to donate the book to the 1001 library) <--HERE
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
This book is on the first leg of its journey as a ray. Hope you enjoy it!
This book is on the first leg of its journey as a ray. Hope you enjoy it!
Arrived safely in the mail today with the most adorable bookcrossing postcard. Perfect timing as I just finished a book. Will start this one immediately. Thank you for sharing!
Journal Entry 8 by PalmettoBuckeye from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina USA on Friday, April 10, 2009
I agree with the previous journalers. . . the reader is made to feel as though Ono has done some terrible crime of war but we are never given all the information. Is it possible that his crime is simply being born in the wrong generation?
While I did enjoy this book, I found it confusing at times the way the author jumps back and forth between Ono's memories and the present. Should be interesting to read some of Ishiguro's other books.
Have PMed Goddess-of-Fire. The book will be on its way as soon as I hear from her. Thank you MarysGirl for sharing.
While I did enjoy this book, I found it confusing at times the way the author jumps back and forth between Ono's memories and the present. Should be interesting to read some of Ishiguro's other books.
Have PMed Goddess-of-Fire. The book will be on its way as soon as I hear from her. Thank you MarysGirl for sharing.
Journal Entry 9 by PalmettoBuckeye at Mount Pleasant, South Carolina USA on Saturday, April 25, 2009
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Mailed to Goddess-of-Fire this morning.
Mailed to Goddess-of-Fire this morning.
Arrived today.
It's the end of the semester and I have one in front of it, so I'm running a little behind at the moment, but will hopefully have it done in a couple weeks.
Thanks!
It's the end of the semester and I have one in front of it, so I'm running a little behind at the moment, but will hopefully have it done in a couple weeks.
Thanks!
I enjoyed this book. I actually liked the way it ended and how it was vague about whatever it was that Ono had done during the war. This was the first book I've read by Ishiguro, and I liked the style, I look forward to reading more of his works.
Thanks for sharing!
-jaenelle has a note on her shelf asking to be skipped so I'm PMing Caroley.
Thanks for sharing!
-jaenelle has a note on her shelf asking to be skipped so I'm PMing Caroley.
Received today thanks!
And thanks for the lovely postcard :-)
And thanks for the lovely postcard :-)
I enjoyed this one, thanks very much for sharing it MarysGirl.
I liked the style of it, especially the way the main character would seemingly start to talk about one thing and then start to ramble on about something else entirely. It was something you needed to know for the story, but I liked the way it was presented.
I have WigglyWood's address so will get this posted off asap.
I liked the style of it, especially the way the main character would seemingly start to talk about one thing and then start to ramble on about something else entirely. It was something you needed to know for the story, but I liked the way it was presented.
I have WigglyWood's address so will get this posted off asap.
Released 14 yrs ago (6/8/2009 UTC) at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posted 2nd class to Wigglywoods.
Posted 2nd class to Wigglywoods.
Received on Thursday - thanks Caroley.
Journal Entry 16 by WigglyWoods from Chorley, Lancashire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Took me a little while to get going with this book but once I did I enjoyed it. Thanks for the opportunity to read it. I pm'd OnlyLiana for her address at the weekend and am currently awaiting a reply.
update 24/9/09 : have pm'd Ashleigh4985 for address details as I've had no reply from OnlyLiana.
update 24/9/09 : have pm'd Ashleigh4985 for address details as I've had no reply from OnlyLiana.
Journal Entry 17 by WigglyWoods from Chorley, Lancashire United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Posted off to Ashleigh yesterday.
Journal Entry 18 by Ashleigh4985 from Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, October 19, 2009
Arrived today. I am in the middle of another book right now so will get onto this one as soon as i have finished.
Thanks Wigglywoods!
Thanks Wigglywoods!
Journal Entry 19 by Ashleigh4985 from Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 25, 2009
I really couldn't get into this book and I am aware that I have had it for too long already so am sending it on.
At the start i liked Ono and his narrating style but by 1/2 way through i was frustrated that nothing seemed to be happening and i was only reading the rambling thoughts of an old man.
Maybe i will try and read it again sometime when i am more focused but at the moment i have other books i am more excited about reading. Will post to Danielle23 at lunchtime as Drykid asked to be passed.
Thanks for organising Waterfalling.
At the start i liked Ono and his narrating style but by 1/2 way through i was frustrated that nothing seemed to be happening and i was only reading the rambling thoughts of an old man.
Maybe i will try and read it again sometime when i am more focused but at the moment i have other books i am more excited about reading. Will post to Danielle23 at lunchtime as Drykid asked to be passed.
Thanks for organising Waterfalling.
Journal Entry 20 by Danielle23 from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Saturday, November 28, 2009
The book has arrived safely. I do have quite a few rings before this as things just seem to have caught up with me lately. I promise I'll get to it as soon as I can xx
Journal Entry 21 by Danielle23 from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Monday, December 7, 2009
I really enjoyed this book and found it enchanting to read. The scenes of Japanese life caught my attention no less than in Ishiguro's other works. I enjoyed reading about the individual turmoil that each character suffered due to the war and the impact that it had on the country and found myself sympathising with Ono over his concerns for his family.
Overall, a beautifully written book in a style I much enjoy. Thank you so much for sharing this book with me Marysgirl xx
Overall, a beautifully written book in a style I much enjoy. Thank you so much for sharing this book with me Marysgirl xx
Journal Entry 22 by Danielle23 at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Monday, December 7, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (12/7/2009 UTC) at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to jaynereader, the next in line xx
Off to jaynereader, the next in line xx
Arrived safely, thanks Danielle23.
I'll read this soon and send it on its way
I'll read this soon and send it on its way
As ever with Ishiguro, the characters are well drawn, you believe in them all however minor they are. I liked the way the narrative drifted from one memory to the next, it was very convincing.
PMing Vilda now
PMing Vilda now
Thnak you for sending me this book! And yes, I will donate it to the 1001-library when I have read it, as requested.
I really enjoyed this novel which was my first from this author. I am happy that I have two more waiting for me in my bookshelf. I loved the way the story unraveled piece by piece through Mr Ono's thoughts. But through the novel I had the feeling that the true story was slipping through my fingers.
Thank you MarysGirl for letting me read it! Now to e donated to the 1001-library
Thank you MarysGirl for letting me read it! Now to e donated to the 1001-library
Journal Entry 27 by 1001-library from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Saturday, February 6, 2010
Thanks so much for your donation Vilda!
This book is now part of the 1001-library. If you want to take this book from the library but don't know how to proceed, please refer to the 1001-library bookshelf.
(Dear Everyone, delighted to see alredy so many JEs by the Library members :). Also this is the first copy of this title that the Library has, jee. Humble thanks to all and happy travels for the book!!)
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Now the book travels to another reader.
Enjoy!
Now the book travels to another reader.
Enjoy!
Journal Entry 29 by Fluffy-Owl from Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom on Friday, February 12, 2010
Thank you for the book! and thank you to your daughter for the art work!
