Erin's review
Runaway Horses (The Sea of Fertility)
by Yukio Mishima
Erin's review
Runaway Horses (The Sea of Fertility) by Yukio Mishima
Erin's review
rating:
Second book of Mishima's Sea of Fertility tetralogy. Centered on the themes of westernization and loss of traditional society in 1930s Japan, and the resulting dissent amongst right wing, traditionalist factions. Also, disturbingly focussed on the manliness and honor of seppaku, the ritual act of suicide. Very much a foreshadowing of Mishima's own suicide in 1970, almost a script of the future event.
Although the main character, Isao, is a reincarnation of the the protagonist in Spring Snow, Kiyoaki, he's not as rich and interesting of a character. There's a single mindedness of tone in this book that's a little disconcerting and makes the story somewhat unbelievable. Perhaps also a little dry in its near constant regurgitation of Mishima's ideas on Japanese society by his characters. However, there are also some beautifully described scenes of nature and, like Spring S...more
Although the main character, Isao, is a reincarnation of the the protagonist in Spring Snow, Kiyoaki, he's not as rich and interesting of a character. There's a single mindedness of tone in this book that's a little disconcerting and makes the story somewhat unbelievable. Perhaps also a little dry in its near constant regurgitation of Mishima's ideas on Japanese society by his characters. However, there are also some beautifully described scenes of nature and, like Spring S...more
