A review by ben_smitty
The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon

3.0

The Pillow Book contains mostly notes, lists, poems, and anecdotes from Shonagon's own courtly life in early Medieval Japan. Many women during this period kept diary records, which are helpful for historical reconstruction. And though Sei Shōnagon is probably one of the wittiest writers I've ever come across, readers who aren't familiar with 10th century Japan (me) will find it a little difficult to follow. Though the footnotes are helpful overall in the Penguin Edition, I can't help but feel I'm a little too far removed to enjoy the book for what it's worth.