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kotohira's review
5.0
I don't know whether to find it comforting or distressing that the same issues that plague me today similarly afflicted a Heian court lady alive more than 1000 years before me.
wildwolverine's review
3.0
Murasaki Shikibu, as a woman from tenth century Japan, is not a well-known figure beyond that she created what's known as the world's first novel. That said, her diary, instead of illuminating her, makes her more of an enigma than ever. "Murasaki Shikibu" isn't even her real name but her father's combined with her father's title. Still, what is revealed is an intriguing puzzle of a complex woman.
Muraskai's diary focuses on the other women at court, their dress, and their comings and goings. On the surface, some might think this information is frivolous, but Murasaki is clearly interested in a hierarchy that dictates her standing and her future. She is keenly aware of the fact that she is an older and educated woman and that she is expected to act a certain way, avoid certain behaviors that are deemed too flirtatious, and to avoid wearing too bright clothing, which is seen as more appropriate for younger women. However, when she switches to writing what feels like a letter to a confidante, she reveals a melancholy disposition who is nevertheless loyal to the young Her Majesty and her few friends, whom the editor Bowring insists are JUST friends, even when they compare themselves to mandarin ducks, the symbol of lovers.
The jewel of the book is Murasaki's diary. It's a pity it's so short. The introduction is helpful, but readers should be able to figure out most of what's going on without it. Meanwhile, the Appendices are dry and don't add anything. Overall, an interesting read.
Muraskai's diary focuses on the other women at court, their dress, and their comings and goings. On the surface, some might think this information is frivolous, but Murasaki is clearly interested in a hierarchy that dictates her standing and her future. She is keenly aware of the fact that she is an older and educated woman and that she is expected to act a certain way, avoid certain behaviors that are deemed too flirtatious, and to avoid wearing too bright clothing, which is seen as more appropriate for younger women. However, when she switches to writing what feels like a letter to a confidante, she reveals a melancholy disposition who is nevertheless loyal to the young Her Majesty and her few friends, whom the editor Bowring insists are JUST friends, even when they compare themselves to mandarin ducks, the symbol of lovers.
The jewel of the book is Murasaki's diary. It's a pity it's so short. The introduction is helpful, but readers should be able to figure out most of what's going on without it. Meanwhile, the Appendices are dry and don't add anything. Overall, an interesting read.
luanacoelho's review
3.0
Estou gostando do Genji Monogatari, mas... Desculpa Murasaki, entre o seu diário e o Livro do Travesseiro, sou mais o da Sei Shonagon :p
cono44's review against another edition
Fascinating insight into the life of a woman from 1000 years ago. I love the fact that things like this exist. Some beautiful poetry too
foggy_rosamund's review against another edition
4.0
Murasaki Shikibu was a contemporary of Sei Shonagon, and writes of the same milieu as described in The Pillow Book: the Heian court. The Heian period was one of relative stability in Japanese history, in which culture and art flourished. Shikibu is primarily known for her novel, The Tale of Genji, one of the most important works of literature in the world. Her diary is a much smaller affair, concentrating on the birth of a child to the empress, and a number of observations on courtly life, and some Buddhist thought. It's interesting to compare this diary to The Pillow Book - reading Sei Shonagon's observations is like talking to a witty and entertaining, but self-absorbed friend, and being completely enthralled, even if she never asks you how you are. When I read it, I feel completely absorbed by her personality. Shikibu's diary is a much cooler work, with less gossip, bitchiness and general chitchat: Shikibu focuses on precise descriptions of the historically significant birth, and the emotional impact it has on her and on everyone in the court. She writes with poetic intensity, and much of her work is very beautiful. It's interesting, too, that the world she describes feels so different to that of The Pillow Book even though it's essentially the same place. It's also worth noting that the diary is understood to be incomplete, and a longer work may have given us a different sense of Shikibu's world.
While I don't think Richard Bowring is as bad (i.e. as sexist) as Seidensticker (Sei Shonagon's original translator), I found some aspects of the translation and footnotes to be intrusive or to feel arbitrary. However, I think this is the only complete translation in English and I'm glad to have it.
While I don't think Richard Bowring is as bad (i.e. as sexist) as Seidensticker (Sei Shonagon's original translator), I found some aspects of the translation and footnotes to be intrusive or to feel arbitrary. However, I think this is the only complete translation in English and I'm glad to have it.
spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
1.0
Well, this was translated in the 1990s by Richard Bowring, a white British man, so I suppose I shouldn't have been that enthusiastic.