Reviews

Mishima's writing is so sharp. In so few words he paints a beautiful picture of a kind of cultural dedication which is so distant from what I know in my own life. There is a wholesome optimism to this book's double suicide. Its a blatant statement of moral codes which the characters navigate perfectly. The characters almost have an excitement about them as they order their wills for their sparse belongings, make their prayers to the Emperor and prepare the weapons of their suicide.

tiredandspice's review against another edition

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Holy shit

yorange's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

The smut was a jumpscare
I loved the way everything was conveyed (even though I read a translation)
Some descriptions made me feel very uneasy

Content Warnings

tonyfrobisher's review against another edition

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5.0

A short story that remains with you for a long time. Duty, honour, obedience, love and death. An astonishing piece of writing that conveys such powerful, heart-rending and gut-wrenching emotion. A deeply visceral and unflinching account of the unity and one-ness of a husband and wife in both love and death.

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