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A review by elle_reads
The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu
5.0
Instagram @elle_reads
BOOK REVIEW
[The Tale of Genji] Pageantry and love bewitch members of the Heian Imperial Japanese Court.
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WHAT I LIKED
Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji is arguably the first novel ever written. Shikibu began writing the novel shortly after her husband died. Her work eventually secured her a place in the salon of Empress Shoshi. She even taught Empress Shoshi Chinese in secret! At the time, Chinese was only a worthy pursuit for men. What a badass.
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Heian Japan is nothing but rules. Murasaki never tells you the rules. You have to figure them out for yourself as characters stretch and tweak each rule to see what is truly allowed. The members of the Heian court live in paradoxes. Ladies are to be coy, but not cold. Men are to be dashing, but humble. Both sexes are to give up worldly pleasures for the Buddha’s scriptures, but they can’t become monks and nuns too early. They have to live their life instead of escape it.
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WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Shikibu wrote this tale for people who have time on their hands. LOTS of time on their hands. At first, the pace was agonizing. It was slow. It described each curtain and coat at length. Each person has five different titles, but no name. But then I learned how to read it. The type of curtain shows the relationship between dweller and caller. Each coat reflects a person’s position. The title used in a specific moment shows the character’s place in the social hierarchy compared to those around them. Once I let go of the reins, The Tale of Genji flowed my consciousness down a gentle stream with small babbling brooks of psychological drama. It’s my new addiction.
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The Tale of Genji (by Murasaki Shikibu) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5
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BOOK REVIEW
[The Tale of Genji] Pageantry and love bewitch members of the Heian Imperial Japanese Court.
//
WHAT I LIKED
Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji is arguably the first novel ever written. Shikibu began writing the novel shortly after her husband died. Her work eventually secured her a place in the salon of Empress Shoshi. She even taught Empress Shoshi Chinese in secret! At the time, Chinese was only a worthy pursuit for men. What a badass.
//
Heian Japan is nothing but rules. Murasaki never tells you the rules. You have to figure them out for yourself as characters stretch and tweak each rule to see what is truly allowed. The members of the Heian court live in paradoxes. Ladies are to be coy, but not cold. Men are to be dashing, but humble. Both sexes are to give up worldly pleasures for the Buddha’s scriptures, but they can’t become monks and nuns too early. They have to live their life instead of escape it.
//
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Shikibu wrote this tale for people who have time on their hands. LOTS of time on their hands. At first, the pace was agonizing. It was slow. It described each curtain and coat at length. Each person has five different titles, but no name. But then I learned how to read it. The type of curtain shows the relationship between dweller and caller. Each coat reflects a person’s position. The title used in a specific moment shows the character’s place in the social hierarchy compared to those around them. Once I let go of the reins, The Tale of Genji flowed my consciousness down a gentle stream with small babbling brooks of psychological drama. It’s my new addiction.
//
The Tale of Genji (by Murasaki Shikibu) ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️5/5
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