The Tale of Genji
by Murasaki Shikibu (trans. Edward G. Seidensticker) | Literature & Fiction | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: Global Overview for this book
ISBN: Global Overview for this book
4 journalers for this copy...
The Tale of Genji is the earliest work of prose fiction still read for pleasure by a substantial audience today. Written at least in part by Murasaki Shikibu, a woman at the imperial court at Kyoto, its loose structure revolves around the love life of an emperor’s son, the handsome, cultured Genji. The young man undergoes complex emotional and sexual vicissitudes, including involvement with the mother figure Fujitsubo and with Murasaki, whom he adopts as a child and who becomes the true love of his life. Forced into exile as the result of a politically ill-judged sexual adventure, Genji returns to achieve wealth and power, then, grieving after Murasaki’s death, retires to a temple. With Genji sidelined, the book moves on to a darker portrayal of the succeeding generation, before ending apparently arbitrarily — opinions differ as to whether the work is unfinished or deliberately inconclusive.
The Tale of Genji opens a window upon a distant, exotic world — the aestheticized, refined court life of medieval Japan. In this lies much of its enduring appeal. Fiction works its magic to bridge the historical, cultural, and linguistic gulf between Murasaki’s world and our own. Much may be lost in translation, but modern readers are charmed to identify with familiar emotions in such a remote context, and fascinated when characters’ responses and attitudes prove startlingly unexpected. — Reg Grant in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
The Tale of Genji opens a window upon a distant, exotic world — the aestheticized, refined court life of medieval Japan. In this lies much of its enduring appeal. Fiction works its magic to bridge the historical, cultural, and linguistic gulf between Murasaki’s world and our own. Much may be lost in translation, but modern readers are charmed to identify with familiar emotions in such a remote context, and fascinated when characters’ responses and attitudes prove startlingly unexpected. — Reg Grant in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
Thanks so much for your donation Vasha!
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.
Thank you sooo much! This book has arrived safely in New Zealand.
OMG I had no idea it was sooo big! Thank you sooo much for posting it.
:D
OMG I had no idea it was sooo big! Thank you sooo much for posting it.
:D
Finally finished!!
What a book! It's very long, and at times very dull.
It gives a rare look into the world of the Japanese upper classes. From a rather long time ago ;-)
Well worthy of the 1001 books to read before you die list!
Reserved for someone in the Wish list Tag Game!
What a book! It's very long, and at times very dull.
It gives a rare look into the world of the Japanese upper classes. From a rather long time ago ;-)
Well worthy of the 1001 books to read before you die list!
Reserved for someone in the Wish list Tag Game!
Released 10 yrs ago (8/12/2013 UTC) at Christchurch, Canterbury New Zealand
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to the USA, as part of the Wishlist Tag Game! Enjoy :-D
Where cherry blossoms drift
through a moment,
so do court loyaties.
through a moment,
so do court loyaties.
