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Japanese Fiction
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A Japanese woman author I've more recently stumbled upon by accident is Sawako Ariyoshi. I especially liked The River Ki, but The Doctor's Wife was also very good. It seems most of her novels take place in Japan, but I still wouldn't discount her if you're interested in reading Japanese authors.
Mary wrote: "Not sure if this is what you have in mind but I loved The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro."
Ishiguro is one of my favorite Asian authors who doesn't write "Asian" stories. This is one of my favorite "English" books.
Here is a link to Japanese Literature group: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/7160...For the many others, I suggest going to the "groups" tab at the top of the page and searching for Japan or similar language...
Ooh! Links to the groups, please? Actually I am in http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/71.M... It isn't terribly active, but I enjoy it.
So, I was pondering Japanese authors after I posted yesterday and discovered that here on goodreads are a number of Japan-centric groups (example: japanese literature group) and at least two lists (Japanese books and Japanese authors) that may hold a wealth of recommendations if you decide to read on after finishing Kafka on the shore.
I just started The Tale of Genji, too. I love it. My usual authors have all been recommended. If you want to try something in the easy read, horror genre there are the Vampire Hunter D novels. Not the best writing, but definitely a must in a survey of Japanese writing.
Fiona,I read the first installment in the (epic!) The Tale of Genji in a college course on Japanese culture. As the blurb says, "Written in the eleventh century, this exquisite portrait of courtly life in medieval Japan is widely celebrated as the world's first novel" It was written by a Japanese woman so a good "insider's view" of what was happening. It was an interesting book and I really enjoyed it, so if you're looking for something more historic than contemporary, I'd try it!
Fiona, I don't remember if some months ago I think you did read a Yoshimoto book or just thought about it.
I spent some time in Japan and read all the Japanese authors I could while I was there. I loved Yukio Mishima, pretty much any of his novels are great. But he is older, has a more traditional style....I also enjoyed The Makioka Sisters by Jun'ichiro Tanizaki a women's novel. I am not too much of a fan of Murakami, although I did read one of his, can't remember if it was norwegian wood or another.
I guess Mishima and Tanizaki are more like classics and Murakami is contemporary, so it depends on your taste.
Enjoy.
Mary wrote: "^^I haven't read that one, Stephanie, but I've heard it's pretty "out there". After Dark is still a little out there but not, you know, too weird.
Yes, now that I've started reading it - it does seem pretty "out there." But compared to Ulysses, which I'm still struggling to finish, it's at least coherent. I love the philosophical bits, actually. Just no more stream of consciousness, please!
This is the type of inventive-break the rules kind of book I appreciate.
Mary wrote: "^^I haven't read that one, Stephanie, but I've heard it's pretty "out there". After Dark is still a little out there but not, you know, too weird.Fiona, may I suggest [book:Out|253..."
I've heard some crticisms of Grotesque like that - it's the one I own though so I'll keep Out in mind for later if I like this one. I kinda wish I'd got that first, but I bought Grotesque purely on a whim, I hadn't even heard of the author on here or anywhere which is rare for me nowadays. But I had a sudden passion for wanting a Japanese crime.
Out of the Murakamis I have read, Kafka was my first and also the one 'd start with too.
^^I haven't read that one, Stephanie, but I've heard it's pretty "out there". After Dark is still a little out there but not, you know, too weird.
Fiona, may I suggest Out by Natsuo Kirino? It doesn't ramble as amuch as Grotesque. Also....dang it, I can't remember the author's name, let me check my list. BRB!
I am now going to start reading Murakami and decided on Kafka on the Shore. Is this a good one to start with or should I pick a different novel?
I recently read Kokoro by Natsume Soseki. It was published in 1914. I believe it's even been adapted for film twice in Japan. It's a fascinating read.
Norwegian Wood is his only (as far as I know) kinda straight writing without all the bizareness, but it's still very Murakami.
Ive heard the first three you mentioned are supposed to be good reading and that he has a distinctive/different style of writing. I think I'll check him out. Thanks :). Ill let you get back to recieving the recommendations lol!
Speaking of I got Dance Dance Dance in my TBR to read but not sure I'm in the mood for Murakami YET. He's a bit different.
I loved Kafka on the Shore, Wind up Bird Chronicle and Norwegian Wood - all of them are so good. I have read Wind up Sheep Chase which was either ok or I just wasn't in a Murakami mood. But I do like Murakami a lot. The way he thinks and his ideas... makes you ponder on things in different ways then you may have before.
I liked Grotesque by Natsuo Kirion, it was fab so I would try reading that I actually want to try her other stuff now! And everyone seems to rate Murakami so maybe some more stuff by him if you liked the stuff he's wrote so far! You'll have to let me know which/whats worth reading by him, Im interested in trying his work!
I have The Sound of the Mountain by Yasunari Kawabata sitting on my shelf still tbr. Otherwise I recommend Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro - though I never thought of that book as especially Japanese.
Not sure if I'm looking for recommendations or not, maybe I am but in denial that I want/need any more books.
Anyway, what Japanese fiction do you guys like? I don't mean books set in Japan written by an Australian, I mean books written by Japanese authors set in or away from Japan that are translated into English!
So far I have only read Murakami but I hope to read Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino soon. I think for some reason I am drawn this way and I do want to explore more actual Japanese authors.
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Books mentioned in this topic
Grotesque (other topics)The Remains of the Day (other topics)
Never Let Me Go (other topics)
The Sound of the Mountain (other topics)
Three Views of Crystal Water (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Natsuo Kirino (other topics)Kazuo Ishiguro (other topics)
Yasunari Kawabata (other topics)
Yukio Mishima (other topics)
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