| Title | : | The Tale of Genji: Scenes from the World's First Novel (Illustrated Japanese Classics) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 4770027729 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9784770027726 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 239 |
| Publication | : | Published October 26, 2001 |
The third in this series of illustrated Japanese classics, The Tale of Genji again combines Miyata's captivating paper cut-outs with a modern retelling of a vintage story. This well-known tale of the amorous adventures of Prince Genji is widely considered world literature's first novel, and with
its precise and poetic prose, it is also considered one of its finest.
Written with precision by a lady of the Japanese court, Genji's Don Juan-like clandestine rendezvous with lovers in their perfumed boudoirs or on mossy moonlit garden paths, continues to intrigue lovers of literature. What sets Genji apart from the typically carefree playboy is the intensity of his
emotional attachment for each of his lovers. Long after an affair has ended, Genji continues to cherish the encounter. His is an age-old tale, as well as a poignant and brilliant portrait of Japan's ancient court life.
The Tale of Genji: Scenes from the World's First Novel (Illustrated Japanese Classics) Reviews
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Beautiful, entertaining, enlightening on Japanese court life and the copy I had had gorgeous pictures included. I cheated and read the abbreviated version but I would recommend!
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I don’t get tired of watching the gorgeous pictures: how they get the sensuality right; how they take me in; how they tell the story anew.
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One of Japan's first ever novels, in fact one of the first novels in the world - it's over 1000 years old.
The Tale of Genji is about court life of rich Japanese aristocracy from the time. It follows Genji's life from a young boy through adulthood, and after his death follows his 'legal' (ie someone else was the father) son, Karou. It's an interesting way into very old Japanese life and customs. Perhaps not the most exciting story for some people, it's about court life so there's a lot of poetry writing and swapping, chasing women and sleeping with other men's wives. They always seem to be falling in love. And rape seems to be quite acceptable and not presented as a bad act.
The pictures, one for every one of the 54 chapters are really beautiful and very important to the story. I think it said in the introduction that originally this would have been written on those big scrolls with the illustrations. In fact, one chapter is basically just an illustration. Which in some ways you can see as connecting through to what so many Japanese love reading these days - Manga.
2016 note - review from 2007 bookcrossing journal. -
The art work was fabulous. The story definitely left something to be desired. I suppose because it was only snippets from the actual it made for a choppy, directionless read.
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Beautifully Illustrated by Miyata Masayuki, one illustration from each chapter.
