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calaphrinie's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
christythelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Sei Shonagon was a gentlewoman who served the young empress Teishi. The Pillow Book is a collection of short vignettes about court life as well as thematic lists. The world and events Shonagon depicts are at once distant from my own world and strikingly universal. For instance, while I may not identify with the particulars of watching an imperial procession from within an enclosed carriage, when Shonagon remarks on “the great melee caused by the carriages of the High Priestess’s attendants and the rest all setting off for home,” it reminds me of the parking lot traffic jams after an outdoor concert.
Many of the anecdotes included in the Pillow Book involve the frequent practice of exchanging poetic messages between the gentlewomen and their male friends / admirers / lovers. The poetic message usually operated as a challenge, as the recipient sought to compose the perfect reply, based on allusions to Japanese and Chinese poetry, good taste, and quick wit. Shonagon is, unsurprisingly, often triumphant in these battles of wit. Shonagon also has a keen eye for style and clothes and often plays fashion police in her descriptions of fellow court denizens.
After a while, these anecdotes and sections became repetitive for me, especially as it’s hard to truly “get” some of them without the aid of footnotes to explain the puns and allusions that make the stories funny or clever.
It is Shonagon’s many lists that I think mark her work as a classic that transcends time, lists that run along themes such as:
Infuriating things – “you’ve just settled sleepily into bed when a mosquito announces itself with that thin little wail . . .And I hate people who don’t close a door that they’ve opened to go in or out”
Things that create the appearance of deep emotion – “The sound of your voice when you’re constantly blowing your runny nose as you talk. Plucking your eyebrows.”
People who are smug and cocky – “Present-day three-year-olds.”
As others have noted, Shonagon’s lists are kind of like the literary ancestors of internet listicles. Some items on her lists could easily be transplanted to a site like Buzzfeed.
In addition to these more snarky lists, Shonagon also conjures palpable atmosphere in passages such as this:
"Another delightful moment is in winter, on a fiercely cold night when you are lying there listening, snuggled far down under the bedclothes, and the sound of a temple bell comes to you, with such a deep and distant reverberation that it seems to be emerging from somewhere buried."
All in all, while some of the book became repetitious, even skim-worthy, for me, The Pillow Book was a “thing that gave me pleasure” while I was reading it. Shonagon’s writing provides much to delight.
Many of the anecdotes included in the Pillow Book involve the frequent practice of exchanging poetic messages between the gentlewomen and their male friends / admirers / lovers. The poetic message usually operated as a challenge, as the recipient sought to compose the perfect reply, based on allusions to Japanese and Chinese poetry, good taste, and quick wit. Shonagon is, unsurprisingly, often triumphant in these battles of wit. Shonagon also has a keen eye for style and clothes and often plays fashion police in her descriptions of fellow court denizens.
After a while, these anecdotes and sections became repetitive for me, especially as it’s hard to truly “get” some of them without the aid of footnotes to explain the puns and allusions that make the stories funny or clever.
It is Shonagon’s many lists that I think mark her work as a classic that transcends time, lists that run along themes such as:
Infuriating things – “you’ve just settled sleepily into bed when a mosquito announces itself with that thin little wail . . .And I hate people who don’t close a door that they’ve opened to go in or out”
Things that create the appearance of deep emotion – “The sound of your voice when you’re constantly blowing your runny nose as you talk. Plucking your eyebrows.”
People who are smug and cocky – “Present-day three-year-olds.”
As others have noted, Shonagon’s lists are kind of like the literary ancestors of internet listicles. Some items on her lists could easily be transplanted to a site like Buzzfeed.
In addition to these more snarky lists, Shonagon also conjures palpable atmosphere in passages such as this:
"Another delightful moment is in winter, on a fiercely cold night when you are lying there listening, snuggled far down under the bedclothes, and the sound of a temple bell comes to you, with such a deep and distant reverberation that it seems to be emerging from somewhere buried."
All in all, while some of the book became repetitious, even skim-worthy, for me, The Pillow Book was a “thing that gave me pleasure” while I was reading it. Shonagon’s writing provides much to delight.
anatomydetective's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful language, often quite funny and insightful.
ancientnymph's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever had the pleasure to read. I felt myself reading the book, almost talking with Sei, a quiet conversation between braziers in the evening over a wonderfully hazy, glowing moon. The way she describes scenes is so crystal clear, I could feel, hear, smell, see, practically all she described.
Her lists were absolutely delightful and, some things do not change after 1000 or so years, as you read, you nod with her on certain subjects in deep agreeance or maybe laughing with her over silly gossip. I only wish she had wrote more. The book takes on a melancholic turn after a while, because she truly highlights on the transience of life, how fleeting things are, the absolute beauty of things within the moment... it is truly a remarkable book and I am so thankful to have read it, and thankful for her to have written her pillow thoughts.
Her lists were absolutely delightful and, some things do not change after 1000 or so years, as you read, you nod with her on certain subjects in deep agreeance or maybe laughing with her over silly gossip. I only wish she had wrote more. The book takes on a melancholic turn after a while, because she truly highlights on the transience of life, how fleeting things are, the absolute beauty of things within the moment... it is truly a remarkable book and I am so thankful to have read it, and thankful for her to have written her pillow thoughts.
salixj's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting look at court life in Heian Japan.
It isn't a story, but observations, recollections, and musings on life in court.
Historically fascinating.
It isn't a story, but observations, recollections, and musings on life in court.
Historically fascinating.
lou_isa's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.5