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casparb's review
another installment in the incredibly productive era of women's writing in Japan. Bridge of Dreams doesn't possess quite the charisma of Sei Shōnagon but neither does it outstay its welcome and honestly it was nice for me to reenter that world. I've been thinking about this w/r/t the book I'm reading presently, to be mysterious. anyway a sweet work but in many ways a catalogue of failures. perhaps somebody ought to wring a collection from it in the anglosphere. It's so canonical in Japan (I am informed) that I'm sure that's a rather passé notion over there
mj_elbared's review
5.0
"Do you suppose that i have left this world?
Alas, i linger on in tears"
I was simply immersed in this book. I felt feelings that are a thousand years old.
Alas, i linger on in tears"
I was simply immersed in this book. I felt feelings that are a thousand years old.
pandagopanda's review
4.0
After revisiting medieval court literature in “On The Japanese Classics” I plucked this from the shelf and it was lovely to revisit this short and sweet text. This Penguin edition is heavily annotated, which I remember diligently making use of the first time, though this time I read it more smoothly. My only disappointment with it is the rather disjointed narrative, particularly covering her midlife and latter life, where years have passed and her circumstances have much changed, with little explanation or detail. However, as a historical document, it is what it is, and the diarist is really relatable. Her youth is spent obsessing over reading tales (relatable!) and her midlife balancing her social and career options with her concerns for her aging parents (relatable!). The first time I read this I was curious about historical details of court life, dress, and cultural aesthetics, but this time, the diarist as a person was my primary interest, though re-entering the world was certainly also part of the enjoyment.
gswain's review
4.0
An interesting read into a different time. It is amazing to read a book written in the 11th century by a Japanese woman. It is nice that it was not lost.
rclyburn's review
Having read Genji last year, it was a pleasant surprise not to have to refer to the notes here. I prefer Genji.
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