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mondovertigo's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Misogyny and Classism
saralynnburnett's review against another edition
5.0
I adored this! It was absolutely “delightful” (if you’ve read it you know that delightful is used quite often…) The book is the diary of court lady in Heian Japan and is filled with stories, gossip, and lists. The lists for me were what were so delightful—they’re like little exhibits:
Elegant Things
A white coat worn over a violet waistcoat.
Duck eggs.
Shaved ice mixed with liana syrup and put in a new silver bowl.
A rosary of rock crystal.
Wistaria blossoms.
Plum blossoms covered with snow.
A pretty child eating strawberries.
And the structure!
Elegant Things
A white coat worn over a violet waistcoat.
Duck eggs.
Shaved ice mixed with liana syrup and put in a new silver bowl.
A rosary of rock crystal.
Wistaria blossoms.
Plum blossoms covered with snow.
A pretty child eating strawberries.
And the structure!
cantordustbunnies's review
4.0
Invaluable as a window into history, this book is also totally enchanting. The rarified culture in which the author inhabits is as engrossing as it is intricate. The author herself is clearly a very intelligent and witty person (as well as being a bit bitchy which adds to her charm). Unfortunately so much of the word play is lost in translation and we can only get the gist of what she's saying in modern English. Copious explanatory notes are needed. Also there is a rather persistently oleaginous tone throughout when she refers to her superiors (which of course is part of the culture and is enlightening in that regard) that interferes with the enjoyment of the book in and of itself. The fixation on pomp and circumstance while eye-opening in an academic or historical context can become tiresome to the average reader. All that being said this book is really cool and it has inspired me to appreciate the little things in life more and to make a point of living pleasantly. I thoroughly enjoyed the author's sense of style and point of view, and feel lucky to have found a window into such a different place in time.
foggy_rosamund's review against another edition
4.0
I give this five stars for Sei Shonagon, and three stars for the translation. Shonagon is Gossip Girl for the Heian court: she is clever, opinionated, self-important, observant, cutting, and brave. Meanwhile having Ivan Morris translate her writing is a bit like having your grandfather trying to explain Gossip Girl to you: he may be doing his best, but he fundamentally doesn't get it. This translation came out in 1967, and the reader can feel that Morris doesn't really think that women are men's intellectual equals, and that Shonagon is getting a bit above herself by reciting all this Chinese poetry and thinking she can verbally spar with men. There's a feeling of flatness in Morris's translation too: Shonagon's personality shines through, but the English text is restrained and cautious. To give Morris his due, he writes extensive (and mostly very helpful) notes for the reader, and includes a detailed appendix, with everything from an explanation of the calendar used in Heian Japan to detailed drawings of costumes and a rough breakdown of the chronological order of events.
This edition contains 185 of Shonagon's characters sketches, observations and lists. The pillow book, a sort of almanac of one person's musings and ideas, is a well-known Japanese form, but Shonagon's is one of the oldest still in existence, and one of the longest. There are more than 185 entries in the original, but that number probably gives the reader a good sense of the form: it's a lot like reading someone else's journal, and it's full of gossip and catty comments that were probably more fascinating a thousand years ago, but it's also very entertaining to read Shonagon's observations, and gives the reader a truly unique insight into the Heian court, and one woman's world more than a thousand years ago. Shonagon is just the kind of cool girl who would have despised me if we'd been in school together, but it's really fun to get to know her in this form. Plus, the way in which poetry is woven into everyday life is extremely charming. Recommended, but maybe try a more modern translation.
This edition contains 185 of Shonagon's characters sketches, observations and lists. The pillow book, a sort of almanac of one person's musings and ideas, is a well-known Japanese form, but Shonagon's is one of the oldest still in existence, and one of the longest. There are more than 185 entries in the original, but that number probably gives the reader a good sense of the form: it's a lot like reading someone else's journal, and it's full of gossip and catty comments that were probably more fascinating a thousand years ago, but it's also very entertaining to read Shonagon's observations, and gives the reader a truly unique insight into the Heian court, and one woman's world more than a thousand years ago. Shonagon is just the kind of cool girl who would have despised me if we'd been in school together, but it's really fun to get to know her in this form. Plus, the way in which poetry is woven into everyday life is extremely charming. Recommended, but maybe try a more modern translation.
paul_cornelius's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of tales, observations, poetry, lists, gossip, and personal reveries comes from the writings of Sei Shonagon, a lady at the court of the Japanese empress from the years 993 to 1000. They range from the comic to the moving, from the exasperating to the joyful. And they are intensely intimate, providing a glimpse into the world of the Japanese palace and its manners and customs entirely unmatched by other works, including the The Tale of Genji.
Reading it, I believe, should not be done at one or two settings. Its musings are best appreciated in 10-20 page passages, so as to linger over the imagery and wordplay, rather than gobbling it all down at once. This particular edition is greatly aided by Meredith McKinney's first rate translation as well as her extensive introduction, appendices, and notes, all of which should be incorporated into a close reading of the subject matter.
Personal observation: I read The Pillow Book while simultaneously reading several other works of Japanese literature, including everything from old folk tales to modern and contemporary mysteries. It was a coincidence. But it was remarkable to see how the manners and customs of this era of Japanese history, the Heian period, were trickling down into the popular culture of the immediate times on until today. In fact, I strongly recommend reading the older folk tales along with The Pillow Book to get a well rounded appreciation for the force and might of cultural attitudes over an entire civilization.
Reading it, I believe, should not be done at one or two settings. Its musings are best appreciated in 10-20 page passages, so as to linger over the imagery and wordplay, rather than gobbling it all down at once. This particular edition is greatly aided by Meredith McKinney's first rate translation as well as her extensive introduction, appendices, and notes, all of which should be incorporated into a close reading of the subject matter.
Personal observation: I read The Pillow Book while simultaneously reading several other works of Japanese literature, including everything from old folk tales to modern and contemporary mysteries. It was a coincidence. But it was remarkable to see how the manners and customs of this era of Japanese history, the Heian period, were trickling down into the popular culture of the immediate times on until today. In fact, I strongly recommend reading the older folk tales along with The Pillow Book to get a well rounded appreciation for the force and might of cultural attitudes over an entire civilization.
kassandraadelgado's review
5.0
tender and clever - the lists were equally cutting as they were just plain silly. i wrote some lines into my pocket notebook so i could always have them with me, but far and above the best part was when she wrote that priests being ugly should be a sin