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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had some minor flaws, and didn’t quite live up to my expectations from the other Mishima I’ve read, but it was chilling and gripping nonetheless. The juxtaposition between the mundanity that occupied about 80% of this book - picnics, walking, lovers quarrels, etc. - and the random bursts of horrific violence that made up the remaining content of the novel, was incredible.
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book sure was interesting, not my favorite but it wasn’t horrible. The story unfolded in a way where at first it was a big mystery and I kept reading to solve that mystery and once that was teased out I was reading to see where the journey of the character would end up. I found myself confused at the start, I think things were very vague and maze like but not detrimentally so. I really did not like the characters, I found them to be unrelatable and if this wasn’t such a short book I don’t know if I could’ve kept reading about them. I enjoyed the writing and the story but not the characters and yet, the characters are the story. A weird paradox.
It's a wonder that I haven't gotten around to reviewing a Mishima. My failing to review him might as well be the measure of his quality. To me his writing vibrates with rawness. It doesn't hide a thing. The nature is laid bare, the humans are laid bare. And the ease with which Mishima lets the reader slide under the skin of his characters is incredible. I am often taken aback as I feel the emotions of his characters coursing through me. It's quite something to take the readers by surprise with plot twists. But it is something else entirely to surprise them with their participation in the plot. This feeling of being in the thick of the plot is something I have experienced only with Mishima. And it's the craving for this feeling that brings me back to him time and again.
The Frolic of the Beasts revolves around the lives of three main characters : Ippei, his wife Yuko and Ippei's apprentice/student Koji. The book starts with a brief introduction, where the main characters are getting photographed together near a bay. This prelude ends with a dark premonition and the plot shifts to Koji disembarking from the ship, having completed his two year prison sentence. He has been invited by Yuko (his lover) and her husband to live with them and work in their greenhouse. As he settles in this remote fishing village, he reminisces in fits and starts about the conditions that led to his imprisonment. Details about the complicated past reveal themselves. What started as an innocuous bid to gauge the depth of a spouse's love quickly turned into a quagmire of emotions and consequences for all three characters.
Koji gets involved with the affairs of the couple, knowing full well that he is being used to their ends. Ippei discusses his life with Koji and complains about his wife, who shows no signs of jealousy at his affairs. On the other hand, Yuko knows about the affairs and is despairing, even as she puts on a stoic facade in her husband's presence. Koji falls in love with Yuko. Without any commitment of love from her, he lets himself get manipulated in his hopes of letting the couple air their dirty laundry and drop the act. But he gets sick of being the stand-in and listening to Yuko's laments and fixation with her husband. He takes matters into his own hand and commits the crime that lands him into prison.
Upon his return, the situation becomes complicated enough that he begins doubting his love for Yuko, who isn't shy of hurting him still. If it was difficult to stake claim to Yuko's love before the incident, it becomes nigh impossible as he becomes acquainted with the new situation. Yuko seems satisfied with Ippei's total dependence on her. It seems as if her wish for her husband to stop philandering is granted, albeit tragically. And she seems always on the verge of gloating in Koji's presence. Koji can't help but feel exasperated by the push-pull and continues living miserably. But a gradual shift in Yuko's attitude heralds the onset of more confusion.
The plot follows the developments in the feelings of all three characters and culminates in a “final wretched incident.” The meandering story line that alternates back and forth in time, changes the perspective of the introduction scene. And the epilogue that follows cinches the tragic theme. Having read "Thirst for Love", another work featuring the theme of illicit and irrational love, “The Frolic of the Beasts” wasn't a surprise as far as the topic goes. But it markedly differs in the execution and twists. And to its credit, is the better of the two.“The Frolic of the Beasts” is a captivating read and I am glad it has joined the canon of Mishima translations. I strongly recommend it to all the fans of Japanese literature. :)
The Frolic of the Beasts revolves around the lives of three main characters : Ippei, his wife Yuko and Ippei's apprentice/student Koji. The book starts with a brief introduction, where the main characters are getting photographed together near a bay. This prelude ends with a dark premonition and the plot shifts to Koji disembarking from the ship, having completed his two year prison sentence. He has been invited by Yuko (his lover) and her husband to live with them and work in their greenhouse. As he settles in this remote fishing village, he reminisces in fits and starts about the conditions that led to his imprisonment. Details about the complicated past reveal themselves. What started as an innocuous bid to gauge the depth of a spouse's love quickly turned into a quagmire of emotions and consequences for all three characters.
Koji gets involved with the affairs of the couple, knowing full well that he is being used to their ends. Ippei discusses his life with Koji and complains about his wife, who shows no signs of jealousy at his affairs. On the other hand, Yuko knows about the affairs and is despairing, even as she puts on a stoic facade in her husband's presence. Koji falls in love with Yuko. Without any commitment of love from her, he lets himself get manipulated in his hopes of letting the couple air their dirty laundry and drop the act. But he gets sick of being the stand-in and listening to Yuko's laments and fixation with her husband. He takes matters into his own hand and commits the crime
Spoiler
Bashes in the husband's head with a wrench. The husband survives. Hence, the lighter sentence.Upon his return, the situation becomes complicated enough that he begins doubting his love for Yuko, who isn't shy of hurting him still. If it was difficult to stake claim to Yuko's love before the incident, it becomes nigh impossible as he becomes acquainted with the new situation. Yuko seems satisfied with Ippei's total dependence on her. It seems as if her wish for her husband to stop philandering is granted, albeit tragically. And she seems always on the verge of gloating in Koji's presence. Koji can't help but feel exasperated by the push-pull and continues living miserably. But a gradual shift in Yuko's attitude heralds the onset of more confusion.
The plot follows the developments in the feelings of all three characters and culminates in a “final wretched incident.” The meandering story line that alternates back and forth in time, changes the perspective of the introduction scene. And the epilogue that follows cinches the tragic theme. Having read "Thirst for Love", another work featuring the theme of illicit and irrational love, “The Frolic of the Beasts” wasn't a surprise as far as the topic goes. But it markedly differs in the execution and twists. And to its credit, is the better of the two.“The Frolic of the Beasts” is a captivating read and I am glad it has joined the canon of Mishima translations. I strongly recommend it to all the fans of Japanese literature. :)
loved the book ! it was painfully slow though, abstruse and obtuse, intricate as hell but very well-written, intriguing and absorbing
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An incredibly interesting and psychological book. While it didn't reach the literary heights of Spring Snow, I still really enjoyed its examination of human nature.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes