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Katia N's Reviews > Kusamakura
Kusamakura (Penguin Classics)
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I think, this little gem of a book would be even better on a second reading. One has to slow down to appreciate it. And that was the hardest challenge for me. It is a book about contemplation of beauty in its different forms. In general, it conforms to my good stereotypes, or should I say "ideals" about Japan: composing of haiku, tea ceremonies, exploring the colours of food, buddhist priests and a mysterious beautiful woman... It is stubbornly and refreshingly moves away from the plot. In fact, in one scene, the narrator picks up a novel in English and reads it from the middle. He does not need a story arc. In art, he searches how to convey a certain feeling rather than a certain story or a certain likeness...
However, the modernity looms from the shadows. And the trains, "the serpents of civilisations", take young people away to fight a war.
My first Soseki and I am quite enchanted.
However, the modernity looms from the shadows. And the trains, "the serpents of civilisations", take young people away to fight a war.
My first Soseki and I am quite enchanted.
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Reading Progress
April 9, 2020
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Started Reading
April 9, 2020
– Shelved
April 13, 2020
–
Finished Reading
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Ilse
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Apr 13, 2020 07:20AM
A beautiful, meditative review that evoked quietitude and serenity, dear Katia - some of the "ideals" you name here reminded me of another Japanese author I like a lot: Kawabata, and more particular his 'Thousand Cranes'. I haven't read Soseki yet but I look forward to discover his writing too.
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Ilse wrote: "A beautiful, meditative review that evoked quietitude and serenity, dear Katia - some of the "ideals" you name here reminded me of another Japanese author I like a lot: Kawabata, and more particula..."Thank you, dear Ilse. I have not read Kawabata either. Japan has been on my list of literary interest for a while. I've read a few non-fiction books but I think I am just becoming "grown up" enough to appreciate the fiction. I've seen as well that you've liked The Makioka Sisters. And of course there is Mishima...
The Makioka sisters I liked a lot, but to me Kawabata so far was the Japanese author who impressed me most, dear Katia. The first book I ever bought with my pocket money was a non-fiction book on Japan (which silly enough I haven't read yet, ever reading books from the library first), and apart from one novel by Kenzaburo Oe and a few Murakami it took some more decades before I got to read Kawabata - so you are not alone in taking your time to get to Japanese fiction :-). Mishima scares me, I think of his work as violent and full of cruelty, I still feel not ready yet for him.
Ilse wrote: "The Makioka sisters I liked a lot, but to me Kawabata so far was the Japanese author who impressed me most, dear Katia. The first book I ever bought with my pocket money was a non-fiction book on J..."Thank you very much, dear Ilse. Very similar story here. I've gone through a few Murakamis. Now I remember I've read Kōbō Abe's Woman in a Sand. That was good, but properly weird as I remember it. It was ages ago. I've actually even been to Japan on business there before my married days at spent almost two months. But I am not properly familiar with their literature at all. Currently i am listening The Bells of Old Tokyo: Meditations on Time and a City. It is good, one of those account by Western girls, but pleasant and focused. If only i would be good at listening:-)
I will read Kawabata's Cranes soon. And also I've got myself The Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories. But I face with our usual problem - too many books I want to read:-)
I could see what you are saying about Mishima. Maybe not immediately in a lock down state then:-)
Hi, appreciate your review. For Kawabata, Beauty and Sadness is a great starting point, it fully conveys Kawabata's tone and atmosphere, and also it's just such a good book. For Mishima, I think Confessions of a Mask is a good starting point, it's not as weird and violent as some of the others, which can be jarring if read as a first Mishima, and again, really good book
Daniel wrote: "Hi, appreciate your review. For Kawabata, Beauty and Sadness is a great starting point, it fully conveys Kawabata's tone and atmosphere, and also it's just such a good book. For Mishima, I think Co..."Thank you, Daniel. Your recommendations are really useful. I've got 6 novels my Mishima in one book starting from 'The mask .. " and "Golden temple" and finishing with "My friend Hitler", so quite a variety. I would try to find Kawabata's "Beauty and Sadness" as well as 'Thousands cranes" suggested by Ilse. And there is of course Kokoro by Soseki I want to read. I've come up with quite a list already, thank you again!
This is one of my favourite Japanese authors. I enjoyed reading Kokoro, and I look forward to reading your review of it.
Thanks for the review Katia. I have not, as yet read this Sōseki novel. Now that I have read your review, I shall have to dig around in my stacks of books to find my copy. I need a good competent librarian. While I am a big Kawabata fan, I was totally engulfed by The Makioka Sisters. I am looking forward to reading this. Thanks again. (I shall find it!)
TBV wrote: "This is one of my favourite Japanese authors. I enjoyed reading Kokoro, and I look forward to reading your review of it."Thank you very much, dear TBV. It is quite a lots though. I do not know where to start with it:-) Probably would read Kokoro next. I have so many books I want to read at the same time:-( Glad you've enjoyed Kokoro. I heard it was different from this one, more towards realism. I am really intrigued.
ἀρχαῖο� (arkhaîos) wrote: "Thanks for the review Katia. I have not, as yet read this Sōseki novel. Now that I have read your review, I shall have to dig around in my stacks of books to find my copy. I need a good competent l..."Thank you Arkhaios. Good luck with your digging:-) It is a little gem. I've heard a lot of good things about Makioka Sisters as well. Thank you for your high praise of it.
That's a beautiful review, Katia. I've this book on my TBR for fairly long time but have not read it yet. Would be trying it soon which would also mark my return to Japanese literature :)
