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sara_shocks's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars
A delightful translation of a Heian period diary/humblebrag-list-of-sick-burns. Would highly recommend reading when traveling to Kyoto, for historical color on some of the places that many tourists visit (Kiyomizudera, Fushimi Inari, etc.).
The translator did a nice job of conveying Sei Shonagon's wit, which, as explained, would have been highly situational. I wish some of the endnotes had been better integrated into the main text (perhaps as footnotes), because I found myself flipping back and forth frequently. But I suppose if I pick this up to read it again, the lack of footnotes on the main pages will keep the text flowing.
A delightful translation of a Heian period diary/humblebrag-list-of-sick-burns. Would highly recommend reading when traveling to Kyoto, for historical color on some of the places that many tourists visit (Kiyomizudera, Fushimi Inari, etc.).
The translator did a nice job of conveying Sei Shonagon's wit, which, as explained, would have been highly situational. I wish some of the endnotes had been better integrated into the main text (perhaps as footnotes), because I found myself flipping back and forth frequently. But I suppose if I pick this up to read it again, the lack of footnotes on the main pages will keep the text flowing.
eriynali's review against another edition
5.0
heartbreakingly beautiful
had to read in a sort of meditative trance, took a long time to read
the notes in my edition were impressive and very detailed, but i was missing some organisation and context for several of the lines in the text, as well as some accuracy (i noticed specifically a reference of a star in an incorrect constellation)
had to read in a sort of meditative trance, took a long time to read
the notes in my edition were impressive and very detailed, but i was missing some organisation and context for several of the lines in the text, as well as some accuracy (i noticed specifically a reference of a star in an incorrect constellation)
kanatori's review
5.0
The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagun is one of my favourite course books I’ve ever been asked to read.
Shonagun being an elegant and esteemed lady of her time can still capture such precise and beautiful moments centuries later and evoke emotions and paint vivid imagery from her time for us today who come from such different times and cultural heritage.
I recommend this book to all of my friends who have an interest in poetry or Japanese history/culture for a sneak peak at the life of an esteemed woman of the court during the Heian period. For modern readers, the translator of this edition has managed to maintain the wit of the original authors work and will leave you with much to think about and laugh at the woes of women both from our time and the authors.
Shonagun being an elegant and esteemed lady of her time can still capture such precise and beautiful moments centuries later and evoke emotions and paint vivid imagery from her time for us today who come from such different times and cultural heritage.
I recommend this book to all of my friends who have an interest in poetry or Japanese history/culture for a sneak peak at the life of an esteemed woman of the court during the Heian period. For modern readers, the translator of this edition has managed to maintain the wit of the original authors work and will leave you with much to think about and laugh at the woes of women both from our time and the authors.
idleramblings's review against another edition
2.5
The rating is for this edition; it was a weird translation, with a lot of added parts by Waley and comparisons to Western literature/culture that felt reductive, when I just wanted to read what Sei Shonagon actually wrote. However, Sei's words are interesting. Just makes me wonder how much I missed by reading the edition I could find first.
amotisse's review against another edition
5.0
the pillow book in english, last read in 2001, listed under
Things that I keep coming back to...
because it is so beautiful, in any language!
I remember seeing a film inspired by this too by Peter Greenaway
it is an incredible creative writing ressource,
full of endless inspiration for lists of all sorts,
not to mention life and living, simplicity, nature...
amazing, and it's all real.
Things that I keep coming back to...
because it is so beautiful, in any language!
I remember seeing a film inspired by this too by Peter Greenaway
it is an incredible creative writing ressource,
full of endless inspiration for lists of all sorts,
not to mention life and living, simplicity, nature...
amazing, and it's all real.
rkkmistry's review
5.0
OMG!! I’M OBSESSED!! So first of all, this book was written OVER A THOUSAND YEARS AGO, which is like just so insane I really can’t believe it. Well, the reason I can’t believe it is because there’s so much in here that is just so incredibly relatable. Like there’s obviously a lot that is just impossible to understand—mostly how all of Heian period court culture is basically just about how good a poet you are (yes, I know, we were all born too early to explore the galaxy and too late to allow our wit and charm to let us rise through the ranks of imperial Japan). I mean it’s actually crazy how many of the footnotes are just letting you know that even scholars don’t understand a lot of the puns and references she’s making. Although even with that I wonder if it’s in some way akin to how we all spend so much time texting and emailing..? BUT, there so much that feels like it could have been written yesterday: our lovers, our friends, our enemies!! I hate to get on my human universalist vibe, but like this book really just made me feel lucky to be human. I’m like, damn, life is suffering, but like I get the chance to hear birds chirp in the morning and watch the sun stream in through my window and that’s significant because millions of other people before me got to do that and now I also get to like take the whole “being a human thing” for a spin. Now, I’m not gonna say it’s an easy book, but if you’re up to the task, I really feel like the highs are just so high because you’re just getting such a candid picture of someone’s emotions from such a long time ago rendered in a way that feels so understandable. I’d recommend reading the first few pages of the intro and then most of the early footnotes, then just blasting through for a while so you can just enjoy and not looking anything up unless you absolutely have to. Then halfway through the book I read the whole intro and dig back into the appendix and especially the pictures before continuing.
mstooba's review against another edition
5.0
A magnificent book. The way Sei Shonagon describes day-to-day things not only shows her witty personality but also describes society during Heian period, Japan at this time. Her descriptions of nature are so detailed and beautiful as far her descriptions of children and things that she likes.