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A review by kazen
Chronicles of My Life: An American in the Heart of Japan by Donald Keene
4.0
Have you ever read an obituary of a semi-famous person and think, "Hey, this person was awesome! Why didn't I know about them?" That's the way I feel about Donald Keene, though (thankfully) he's still alive and kicking.
Keene is a translator, professor, and scholar of Japanese literature. Those who know even a little bit about post-war writers like Mishima and Kawabata will love the anecdotes Keene relates. And anyone who has ever visited Japan, especially Kyoto, will enjoy his stories about what living here was like in the 1950's. (Above all, it was quiet!)
A lovely memoir by a humble, impressive man.
Keene is a translator, professor, and scholar of Japanese literature. Those who know even a little bit about post-war writers like Mishima and Kawabata will love the anecdotes Keene relates. And anyone who has ever visited Japan, especially Kyoto, will enjoy his stories about what living here was like in the 1950's. (Above all, it was quiet!)
A lovely memoir by a humble, impressive man.