bookbelle5_17 's review for:

The Tale of Genji: The Authentic First Translation of the World's Earliest Novel by Michael Emmerich, Murasaki Shikibu, Kencho Suematsu

3.5

emotional funny lighthearted sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Review of The Tale of Genji

By: Lady Murasaki Shibikum Translated Kencho Suematsu

            Genji is a bastard prince to the Emperor of Japan and when he is old enough, he is requested to live with his father.  He receives an education, learns the ways of the court, and becomes skilled at playing a musical instrument, a Koto.  As a teenager he spends his days flirting with courtly ladies and appreciating the beauty of the world around him while reciting poetry.  Genji leaves a trail of broken hearts and enemies in the court that want him gone.

            The only problem with reading an abridged version of a book is that you only get a taste of the novel.  It read as if the story was missing important details, and that the narrator was telling us what happened instead of showing.  When I read a novel, I want to be immersed in the plot, but I am intending to obtain an unbridged version, because the story has potential to be a great story for me to enjoy. It does give the reader an idea of the story, especially if the unabridged version is incredibly long, which this one is.  Throughout the story Genji and the characters communicate and express their feelings with poetry instead of writing letters to each or just talking. In the beginning of the novel, Genji and his friends are discussing their various encounters with women they have courted but have been disappointed with them later as they’re either too needy or not needy enough.  Genji’s friend Sama-no-Kama talks about his encounter with a beautiful woman by the lake and he expresses his feelings to her: “Even this spot, so fair to view with moon, and Koto’s gentle strain, could make no other lover true, as for me, thy fond, thy only swain.” She replies, “Sorry I am my voice too low to match thy flute’s far sweeter sound; which mingles with the winds that blow the Autumn leaves upon the ground.”   Genji writes and serenades women with his poetry “The crystal dew at Evenings hour sleeps on the Yugao’s beauteous flower, will this please him, whose glance bright, gave to the flowers a dearer light?”  This is the best way he can express himself. Genji is charming at times but frustrating with his impulsiveness and lack of consideration of the women he flirts with.  Often moving from woman to woman. He only gets away with things because he is a prince and one of the emperor’s son, though a bastard.  Some of the women are reluctant to trust him because he will compromise them and then abandon them, but he charms them.  At one point, he kidnaps a little girl Violet, who reminds him of an old girlfriend, though her father is coming to take her, and believes himself to be a better guardian for her.  He doesn’t like how shy she is and tells her she shouldn’t be shy since it’s not appealing.  A woman being able to write is valuable in this society and Genji teaches her how.  I don’t know if the full novel with explore this, but I was disappointed that we didn’t see more of this relationship.  Again, it could because this is an abridged version or that could be how it is in the book.  The courtly politics are in the background of the story while the novel mostly focuses on Genji’s interactions with the ladies, but I knew that going in.  I just wish the novel had more courtly politics. I’m glad I read it and hope to read the unabridged version in the future.