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pscamp01's review against another edition
4.0
A lot of the reviews here are written for the wrong book. (As it turns out, the truth is more complicated. See the update at the end of the review.) There is a book called The Dancing Girl of Izu and Other Stories that consists of nothing but stories by Yasunari Kawabata, that are translated by J. Martin Holman. That is not this book. This book is called The Izu Dancer and Other Stories. (Note the slight difference in the title.) This book consists of one story by Kawabata, and three stories by Yasushi Inoue. Why this configuration? Why just one story by Kawabata? Why not just stories by one author or the other? You won't find the answer to these questions anywhere in the book. There is no editor listed and no introduction to the book. There is an introduction to the Inoue stories, but Kawabata is completely ignored in it.
So, how are the stories? The title story is a classic and is the best one in the book. This version of the story was translated by Edward Seidensticker, and was the first translation into English. I enjoyed it very much but was annoyed when afterwards I learned that Seidensticker had truncated the story. I then read the Holman translation for comparison's sake. The cuts didn't seem to me to be significant (although an incident involving an old man in an inn was completely removed) but on the whole I think I preferred Holman's prose.
I enjoyed the Inoue stories (well, two of them anyway) but they were written much later than the Kawabata stories and they don't seem to have much in common other than the fact that two of them have a connection to the Izu peninsula.
The book overall is an enjoyable read, especially if you stumble across it on a library shelf like I did. But if you're interested in the title story, I would recommended seeking out the Holman book.
Update: I just read the Holman book, but when I tried to post a review of it, I discovered that Good Reads is cramming the reviews of both books together. Anyway, the version of the title story is better in the Holman book, but the rest of the stories (all of which are by Kawabata) left me cold. So, three stars for that edition.
So, how are the stories? The title story is a classic and is the best one in the book. This version of the story was translated by Edward Seidensticker, and was the first translation into English. I enjoyed it very much but was annoyed when afterwards I learned that Seidensticker had truncated the story. I then read the Holman translation for comparison's sake. The cuts didn't seem to me to be significant (although an incident involving an old man in an inn was completely removed) but on the whole I think I preferred Holman's prose.
I enjoyed the Inoue stories (well, two of them anyway) but they were written much later than the Kawabata stories and they don't seem to have much in common other than the fact that two of them have a connection to the Izu peninsula.
The book overall is an enjoyable read, especially if you stumble across it on a library shelf like I did. But if you're interested in the title story, I would recommended seeking out the Holman book.
Update: I just read the Holman book, but when I tried to post a review of it, I discovered that Good Reads is cramming the reviews of both books together. Anyway, the version of the title story is better in the Holman book, but the rest of the stories (all of which are by Kawabata) left me cold. So, three stars for that edition.
florencebrino's review against another edition
4.0
Naturally, I did not speak.
Love fades in the most curious of ways. Differences between characters, tastes, choices. Monotony; the attraction seems to dwindle through the years, in a minute. It evaporates when someone loves too much whereas the other person only exists, yearning for another opportunity. The tragedy of never being in love with somebody else's mind. Admiration slowly fades away. A growing indifference that cannot be concealed behind a thousand cherry blossoms. Possibilities that offer a myriad of colors and shapes.
A young student from Tokyo in a solitary journey through the Izu Peninsula. A walk of endless miles. The search for opportunities only to take a look at her face. To listen to the sound of her drum; evidence that she is still there.
I could not bear the silences when the drum stopped. I sank down into the depths of the sound of the rain. (13)
The universe conspires nothing; it is you deliberately looking for a fortunate stroke of serendipity. And then you achieve it. And then you stay silent. Because it is not your turn to speak and doubt floods your disquieted heart and you have to keep your sense of pride intact. The human way to go. The most common pretext to flee from the extraordinary.
This story is about one of the possible reasons as to why infatuation fades. Kawabata portrays with perfection the nature of first love. A love blended with torment which later dissolved into thin air after a misunderstanding.
The burden disappeared. As to the extent of the burden, I think we all have a standard against which to measure it. We all have made its acquaintance.
The moment you realize you are free ends with a burst of laughter.
Dec 12, 15
* Also on my blog.
** This is a review of the short story. Review of the entire collection here.
cristian1185's review against another edition
La bailarina de Izu, junto a los demás escritos que se encuentran en el libro, corresponden a la etapa temprana de la producción literaria del Nobel japonés de 1968. Con un estilo límpido, donde abundan gestos y apariencias, es posible acercarnos a las complejas disposiciones que florecen en lo humano, en cuanto ser inacabablemente contradictorio, singularidad que comparten los personajes que avivan las historias que nos entrega el autor. Un breve, pero profundo viaje a las siluetas que habitan en el corazón de la humanidad.
Lo anterior cobra sentido al leer La bailarina de Izu. La relación entre un hombre y un espejismo, este último encarnado en la incierta figura de la bailarina, está irrevocablemente a tener un destino funesto en cuanto se devele la verdadera esencia de esta última, dando paso a la conciencia de lo insalvable de las distancias entre el deseo y su objeto. Una historia de apariencias, donde la realidad se muestra como enigma.
En cuanto a los demás escritos, la segunda parte del libro lo conforman algunas de las "Historias de la palma de la mano". Estas si bien sucintas, exponen un espectacular despliegue de formas y matices que llaman a que se les lea una y otra vez.
Por último, es posible señalar la presencia de otras obras en el libro que emergen a partir de los episodios biográficos del autor, las cuales están revestidas de las formas que otorga la literatura de ficción. Una estupenda novelización de la vida misma de Kawabata, que nos entrega algunas claves para entender un poco más sus intereses literarios, y atisbar las inquietudes que atravesaron su vida y su obra. Particularmente me ha parecido tremendamente sensible "Diario de mi decimosexto cumpleaños".
Lo anterior cobra sentido al leer La bailarina de Izu. La relación entre un hombre y un espejismo, este último encarnado en la incierta figura de la bailarina, está irrevocablemente a tener un destino funesto en cuanto se devele la verdadera esencia de esta última, dando paso a la conciencia de lo insalvable de las distancias entre el deseo y su objeto. Una historia de apariencias, donde la realidad se muestra como enigma.
En cuanto a los demás escritos, la segunda parte del libro lo conforman algunas de las "Historias de la palma de la mano". Estas si bien sucintas, exponen un espectacular despliegue de formas y matices que llaman a que se les lea una y otra vez.
Por último, es posible señalar la presencia de otras obras en el libro que emergen a partir de los episodios biográficos del autor, las cuales están revestidas de las formas que otorga la literatura de ficción. Una estupenda novelización de la vida misma de Kawabata, que nos entrega algunas claves para entender un poco más sus intereses literarios, y atisbar las inquietudes que atravesaron su vida y su obra. Particularmente me ha parecido tremendamente sensible "Diario de mi decimosexto cumpleaños".
nora_d_tinta_y_papel's review against another edition
3.0
Como lo mencioné en Instagram. Me voy por una calificación promedio sólo por que considero que la traducción influye mucho en esta edición. Me gustaría encontrar una traducción directa.
gwak's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sheisoceanblue's review against another edition
4.0
Ammetto che tra questo e Mille Gru, nessuno dei due mi ha fatto impazzire... all’inizio. Sembrava non vi fosse una reale trama oppure che fosse troppo sottile. Di per sé in entrambi non accade veramente niente, tanto da farmi stupire quando, arrivata alla fine della Danzatrice di Izu, mi sono resa conto fosse realmente la fine.
In confronto a ciò a cui sono abituata, sembrava solo l’incipit e non un romanzo intero. Perché 4 stelle allora?
Perché, in preda alla confusione più totale, mi sono andata a leggere le pagine dedicate a questo autore su “Modern Japanese Writers and the nature of Literature” di Makoto Ueda. Lì spiegava il tema centrale di molti romanzi di Kawabata: questo amore puro, inafferrabile che proprio per questo è fonte di bellezza. Dopo che mi è stato spiegato, ovviamente ho iniziato a capire il valore di questi due romanzi, percependone la bellezza.
In definitiva: Kawabata va prima studiato e poi letto per essere compreso, perché l’uno senza l’altro portano a non apprezzare l’autore quanto merita.
In confronto a ciò a cui sono abituata, sembrava solo l’incipit e non un romanzo intero. Perché 4 stelle allora?
Perché, in preda alla confusione più totale, mi sono andata a leggere le pagine dedicate a questo autore su “Modern Japanese Writers and the nature of Literature” di Makoto Ueda. Lì spiegava il tema centrale di molti romanzi di Kawabata: questo amore puro, inafferrabile che proprio per questo è fonte di bellezza. Dopo che mi è stato spiegato, ovviamente ho iniziato a capire il valore di questi due romanzi, percependone la bellezza.
In definitiva: Kawabata va prima studiato e poi letto per essere compreso, perché l’uno senza l’altro portano a non apprezzare l’autore quanto merita.
noel_rene_cisneros's review against another edition
5.0
Hermosa colección de relatos dividida en dos partes, la primera contiene el cuento que da título al libro y en la que la admiración de la belleza -tanto natural como humana- son una de las claves. Los otros cuatro relatos (Diario de mi decimosexto cumpleaños, Aceite, Experto en funerales y Recolección de cenizas) son relatos parten de la orfandad de Kawabata, exploraciones de su dolor y la temprana experiencia de la muerte de las personas más allegadas. La segunda parte contiene piezas más cercanas, tanto por la forma como por la extensión, a sus Historias en la palma de la mano, piezas en las que en unas cuantas páginas Kawabata logra dar rienda suelta a sus habilidades narrativas y su capacidad de evocación y de condensación emocional tan característica de su estilo.
jackroche's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
One of those “deceptively simple” stories that… deceived me. I’m sure there’s more there than I got out of it, particularly in the original Japanese, but no strong urge to read more Kawabata.
svdp1412's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Hepe verschillende korte verhalen die allen een ander aspect van de Japamse cultuur belichten.. erg mooi
Precies genoeg om een verhaallijn te ontwikkelen zonder te veel details en rompslomp
Precies genoeg om een verhaallijn te ontwikkelen zonder te veel details en rompslomp