Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
This Japanese classic is short and simple, it reads a bit like Kawabata’s Snow Country but with less nature and more culture and clothing descriptions. It is a love story that really worked for me. Both main characters were flawed and believable, you don’t necessarily like them or hate them. Our narrators inner voice seemed real to me. The more I think about it the more I enjoy it. Looking forward to getting more of Tanizaki’s works.
Though an early work of Tanizaki's, a reader can see themes that will haunt all of his later books, especially the clash between Westernisation and traditional Japanese society, men in the thrall to women, and sexual obsessions. Naomi is only 15 when she is approached by 28-year-old Joji: brought up in a brothel, her mother is happy to allow Joji to take over her eduction. He sets up house with her, sending her to English and music lessons, and dressing her in lots of different outfits. She is the subject of all his thoughts, and he quickly stops expecting her to act as his maid, allowing her to buy whatever she wants, and to entertain young men. He eventually marries her, but he still thinks she is pure and chased, and is shocked to discover that she is anything but. It's a strange novel to read, both an indictment of the impact of Western culture on Japan, and a celebration of new social mores. It places Naomi at the centre of the story, and the narrative is ambivalent as to whether it celebrates her and her independence, or sees her as spoiled and manipulative. It's these ambiguities that make the novel fascinating and memorable, even though the story itself is relatively straightforward.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
To be transparent, this novel was personally brutal for me to finish because Naomi had some tendencies that reminded me of one of my exes, so I do have a fair amount of bias.
Mainly, Naomi is a metaphor (or an allegory? It's been awhile since I've taken an English class) for the West's cultural influence on Japan. The main character, Joji, is a Japanese man obsessed with western culture and whiteness. The novel covers this topic very well and I believe I read somewhere "Naomi" became a term used by households referring to people attempting to adopt western mannerisms.
That being said, it is somewhat hard to read the novel due to how much time is spent focusing on aspects of the toxic relationship between Joji and Naomi that are not directly related to the cultural differences between the West and Japan in the 1920's. Joji, as a businessman in his late twenties, grooms and manipulates an underage Naomi, going as far as to have her move in with him and marry him so that he can control her. This is the beginning of a very disgusting relationship, which eventually turns into
Overall worth a read for the message, but if you think you'll have a hard time reading a man fantasize and obsess over the body of an underage woman, I would pass on this one/read a synopsis.
Mainly, Naomi is a metaphor (or an allegory? It's been awhile since I've taken an English class) for the West's cultural influence on Japan. The main character, Joji, is a Japanese man obsessed with western culture and whiteness. The novel covers this topic very well and I believe I read somewhere "Naomi" became a term used by households referring to people attempting to adopt western mannerisms.
That being said, it is somewhat hard to read the novel due to how much time is spent focusing on aspects of the toxic relationship between Joji and Naomi that are not directly related to the cultural differences between the West and Japan in the 1920's. Joji, as a businessman in his late twenties, grooms and manipulates an underage Naomi, going as far as to have her move in with him and marry him so that he can control her. This is the beginning of a very disgusting relationship, which eventually turns into
Spoiler
Naomi cheating on Joji with dozens of men and gaslighting and abusing Joji until he agrees to become a submissive source of money for Naomi to play with. It's funny in a way, because Naomi is a toxic, manipulative, horrible person. But at the same time Joji has been grooming her since she was 15 so in a sense she's justified in using and abusing Joji as much as possible as he has irreparably traumatized her in the long run. It was very funny to me that the conclusion to their story was Joji becoming a capitalist in order to fund Naomi's lavish lifestyle. That definitely feels like the American dream.Overall worth a read for the message, but if you think you'll have a hard time reading a man fantasize and obsess over the body of an underage woman, I would pass on this one/read a synopsis.
I have no clue what to think about this book. I felt so uncomfortable reading some of the parts, especially the last 3 chapters. Joji was absolutely crazy, a total creep, and Naomi was totally disgusting. I love Tanizaki's books for how easy they're to read but this one was weird.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
If you get what you really want, do you still want it? It's a cautionary tale of being careful what you wish for, because you might well get it.