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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
Albeit lengthy, it was an enjoyable read with multiple layers of emotions, life lessons and societal topics all seemingly amalgamated into one storyline. It almost got distressing at one stage to see Genji's behaviour, but it is understood that it is all part of the process, and well, progress in society.
It is almost like the Heian period's rendition of life to Jean Renoir's La Regle Du Jeu in a manner of speaking, as it is insightful to see the customs of the 11th century court life so wonderfully recorded, and it serves as a reminder to the progress (i emphasise on this a lot as i saw some negative comments on this) to today's society. It is of no surprise of its influence to modern literature.
It is almost like the Heian period's rendition of life to Jean Renoir's La Regle Du Jeu in a manner of speaking, as it is insightful to see the customs of the 11th century court life so wonderfully recorded, and it serves as a reminder to the progress (i emphasise on this a lot as i saw some negative comments on this) to today's society. It is of no surprise of its influence to modern literature.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I recommend this one in the interest of broad scholarship. However, Genji is such a despicable human being that I can't say I enjoyed my time with him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It certainly gives you an idea of the stifling nature of Heian court life (and may also drive you to write some bad haiku ^_^). I ran into the confusing experience of having a protagonist who is such a hedonistic jerk (example: discovered your good friend's long-lost love? Why tell him she's still alive when you can make her your own mistress instead?) and yet the way he is written about, you can tell you're supposed to like and admire him. Unless that's some on-purpose literary device that I missed by not reading a heavily annotated version. Admittedly I haven't finished it yet (it isn't exactly a light or riveting read--largely consisting of poetry- and perfume-contests and selection of clothes, at least when no-one is getting seduced), so maybe it gets better in the last quarter.
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Non sapevo bene cosa aspettarmi da questo maestoso libro. L’ho letto grazie al book club di Dafne Borracci che un capitolo a settimana ci ha guidati nella scoperta della corte imperiale dell’epoca Heian, aiutandoci a capire un contesto tanto lontano dalla nostra quotidianità ma allo stesso tempo così affascinante. I personaggi e i loro profili sono così ricchi e ben descritti da farli sembrare reali. La sagacia dell’autrice si palesa di capitolo in capitolo fino all’ultima frase dell’opera. Incredibile come una storia scritta 1000 anni fa sia capace di emozionare a tal punto.