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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
The breaking wave let out an angry roar as it showed its smooth, dark green belly. The roar tailed off to a cry and the cry to a whisper. The charging line of huge white stallions yielded place to a line of smaller ones until the furious horses gradually disappeared altogether, leaving nothing but those last imprints of pounding hooves on the beach. Two remnants, streaming in from left and right, collided roughly, spread like a fan, and sank into the bright mirror of the sand’s surface. At that moment, the reflection in the mirror came to life, catching the next white-crested wave just as it was about to come crashing down, a sharp vertical image that sparkled like a row of icicles.
This was my first encounter with Mishima's work and I absolutely loved it! Spring Snow is the first book in a tetralogy; this volume focuses on the relationships between two very important families in the Imperial Japanese dynasty, particularly Kiyoaki (the son of the Matsugae family), and the daughter of family friends, Satoko Ayakura. Mishima's characters are extremely well portrayed, but what really stood out for me most was the author's beautifully poetic language, fully deployed when describing the landscape and character emotions. This, blended with the engaging - and sometimes poignant - events described in the narrative made this novel, for me, one of my all-time top 10 reads. Now to see if volume 2 manages to match, or exceed, this one.
This was my first encounter with Mishima's work and I absolutely loved it! Spring Snow is the first book in a tetralogy; this volume focuses on the relationships between two very important families in the Imperial Japanese dynasty, particularly Kiyoaki (the son of the Matsugae family), and the daughter of family friends, Satoko Ayakura. Mishima's characters are extremely well portrayed, but what really stood out for me most was the author's beautifully poetic language, fully deployed when describing the landscape and character emotions. This, blended with the engaging - and sometimes poignant - events described in the narrative made this novel, for me, one of my all-time top 10 reads. Now to see if volume 2 manages to match, or exceed, this one.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Full review at https://kingshearte.blogspot.com/2021/08/spring-snow-yukio-mishima-trans-michael.html
This book was captivating and I enjoyed reading it a lot. I especially liked knowing a little about the author and his opinions so that I sometimes could find traces and evidence of them in the book.
The writing was beautiful.
One sad thing about my experience was that my copy was missing the first three chapters. It started one page 27. I had to find the first chapters online and I read them through audiobook. I am a terrible audiobook-listener. I cannot seem to focus, so the beginning of the book was rather lacking for me. I was given back my money due to this issue, so I did get the rest of the book for free which is sort of nice.
One thing I truly must say is that I hate when beautiful people die.
The writing was beautiful.
One sad thing about my experience was that my copy was missing the first three chapters. It started one page 27. I had to find the first chapters online and I read them through audiobook. I am a terrible audiobook-listener. I cannot seem to focus, so the beginning of the book was rather lacking for me. I was given back my money due to this issue, so I did get the rest of the book for free which is sort of nice.
One thing I truly must say is that I hate when beautiful people die.
Just lovely. I love books without a happy ending. It was almost fairytale like until the most perfect ending of a love story ever.
If I could read Japanese Mishima would be top of the list! The beautiful language even in translation, and the twists and turns of this couple's tale, is truly masterful.
masterful exploration of the beauty of agony showcased through a metaphorical burgeoning romance
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Contender for most beautiful prose I've ever read. There is something subtly repulsive, though, beneath the gorgeous surface. I was left with an off-putting feeling in the end, like I'd been staring admiringly at some beautiful stranger napping on a park bench, only to find out later that they'd been dead for hours. Highly recommended.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced