683 books
—
2,888 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Kokoro” as Want to Read:
Kokoro
by
Hailed by The New Yorker as "rich in understanding and insight," Kokoro — "the heart of things" — is the work of one of Japan's most popular authors. This thought-provoking trilogy of stories explores the very essence of loneliness and stands as a stirring introduction to modern Japanese literature.
Paperback, 248 pages
Published
July 1st 1996
by Gateway Editions
(first published 1914)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Kokoro
A languid, melancholic dream of a novel which pierces the heart of the reader with its quiet intensity.
Cautious in its narrative tread on the ground of contentious issues, delicate in its broaching of subjects like the indignity of death, sin and redemption, existentialist ennui, self-recrimination and misanthropy, 'Kokoro' is a masterful recounting of a tragedy which unfolds against the backdrop of the dying years of the Meiji era. As Emperor Meiji breathes his last taking along with him the an ...more
Cautious in its narrative tread on the ground of contentious issues, delicate in its broaching of subjects like the indignity of death, sin and redemption, existentialist ennui, self-recrimination and misanthropy, 'Kokoro' is a masterful recounting of a tragedy which unfolds against the backdrop of the dying years of the Meiji era. As Emperor Meiji breathes his last taking along with him the an ...more
The main character is a young man, a college student, who meets an older man at a beach resort. Over time he develops a strong admiration for him, visiting at his home and calling him Sensei. The interesting thing about the “wise” old man is that he does nothing. He seems to be a scholar but doesn’t read or write, he just “hangs out.”
Sensei has no real friends other than the young man. His only activity is making a monthly visit a grave at a local cemetery. Who that deceased person is becomes t ...more
Sensei has no real friends other than the young man. His only activity is making a monthly visit a grave at a local cemetery. Who that deceased person is becomes t ...more
Sometimes you feel the desire to know the all-time greatest different nationalities have created through history. In this case, a japanese classic.
This novel is divided into three parts of a same story, taking place during the Meiji reign, around the 1800s. The laborious life of an university student trying to graduate; his relationship with his countryside family and a delicately tragic situation with his father; and, lastly, his friendship with "Sensei", a kind of extremely well educated mento ...more
This novel is divided into three parts of a same story, taking place during the Meiji reign, around the 1800s. The laborious life of an university student trying to graduate; his relationship with his countryside family and a delicately tragic situation with his father; and, lastly, his friendship with "Sensei", a kind of extremely well educated mento ...more
![[P]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1486240560p2/40516522.jpg)
A few years ago I had arranged to meet up with a girl I was loosely dating. I liked her a lot, but as she is a DJ, who works late nights, seeing each other was not easy. I had agreed to go to the club she was playing at that night and wait for her to finish, which would be something like 3am. As I didn’t want to spend the entire night stood at the side of the DJ booth waiting for her I asked my brother if he wanted to join me. I explained why I wanted to go out, I assured him that I would be fre
...more
"You see, loneliness is the price we have to pay for being born in this modern age, so full of freedom, independence, and our own egotistical selves."
The quote above sums up perfectly the main theme of this classic Japanese novel. The other one is guilt.
"There is no such thing as a stereotype bad man in this world. Under normal conditions, everybody is more or less good, or, at least, ordinary. But tempt them, and they may suddenly change. That is what is so frightening about men. One must alwa ...more
The quote above sums up perfectly the main theme of this classic Japanese novel. The other one is guilt.
"There is no such thing as a stereotype bad man in this world. Under normal conditions, everybody is more or less good, or, at least, ordinary. But tempt them, and they may suddenly change. That is what is so frightening about men. One must alwa ...more
I aspire to compose a review. This book richly deserves it.
***UPDATE: Three years later and no review, but my failing is now solved.
I highly recommend that you read my friend, Alex's, review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The key to Kokoro is knowing yourself as a reader and whether its charms are ones you'll appreciate or reject. Alex provides you the info you need to decide whether Kokoro and you will be a satisfying match. ...more
***UPDATE: Three years later and no review, but my failing is now solved.
I highly recommend that you read my friend, Alex's, review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The key to Kokoro is knowing yourself as a reader and whether its charms are ones you'll appreciate or reject. Alex provides you the info you need to decide whether Kokoro and you will be a satisfying match. ...more
Beautiful classic Japanese story.....
This is a quiet introspective book that was first published in 1996.
They say great books are timeless - and it’s certainly true with “Kokoro”....( which means *Heart* in Japanese).
I paid $1.19 for the Kindle download....and I kid you not...this thin book ( 248 paperback pages), was very hard to pull away from.
Was it moving? Powerful? Thought- Provoking? emotional? I’m pulling at straws trying to see if it’s possible if can covey one word that best describe ...more
This is a quiet introspective book that was first published in 1996.
They say great books are timeless - and it’s certainly true with “Kokoro”....( which means *Heart* in Japanese).
I paid $1.19 for the Kindle download....and I kid you not...this thin book ( 248 paperback pages), was very hard to pull away from.
Was it moving? Powerful? Thought- Provoking? emotional? I’m pulling at straws trying to see if it’s possible if can covey one word that best describe ...more
“Kokoro” is about a respectable man’s account of his life before he makes a great decision. An unusual book which I really enjoyed, and I would recommend it to readers who do not mind their stories sprinkled with an air of sadness throughout.
You certainly don't need to know anything about Japan or Japanese culture to appreciate, and get something profound from this work. Like so many great works of fiction, it appeals to the human in everyone, and asks those questions every human struggles with ...more
You certainly don't need to know anything about Japan or Japanese culture to appreciate, and get something profound from this work. Like so many great works of fiction, it appeals to the human in everyone, and asks those questions every human struggles with ...more
"I believe you don't really become a finer person just by reading lots of books"
I know a lot of Westerners are obsessed with the East and our civilization, finding its mysterious inconclusiveness attractive in opposition to the somewhat dogmatic West. Nonetheless, it is one thing to be an outside admirer and another thing to have that blood in your vein. Kokoro is a novel of frustration, fragility, distrust, terror, and hopelessness of the blood the East has in it vein, a reflection on the super ...more
I know a lot of Westerners are obsessed with the East and our civilization, finding its mysterious inconclusiveness attractive in opposition to the somewhat dogmatic West. Nonetheless, it is one thing to be an outside admirer and another thing to have that blood in your vein. Kokoro is a novel of frustration, fragility, distrust, terror, and hopelessness of the blood the East has in it vein, a reflection on the super ...more
I have mentioned elsewhere that the later Soseki books tend to be darker and more melancholic not to say extremely pessimistic and Kokoro definitely fits this mold. I am NOT taking anything away from the gorgeous language and descriptions here nor the intimate conversations primarily by writing between the protagonist and his Sensei, but it is not something to read if you are down in the dumps. The narrative devices are original even for Soseki and his mastery of character and betrayal of emotio
...more
Introduction
About the Title
Acknowledgments
Suggestions for Further Reading
--Kokoro
Notes
About the Title
Acknowledgments
Suggestions for Further Reading
--Kokoro
Notes
Apr 08, 2011
Mariel
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
when it dies
Recommended to Mariel by:
when it lives
Kokoro translates to "the heart of things". I only know this because the translator's forward said it was so. I need a translator, from my heart's mind to yours (anyone?)... I am afraid that I will wander around in the dark mental spaces again. Gray shades of life experiences and emotional (not necessarily reality) experiences. Who could pick up on the undertones and relevances? I'm truly afraid that worse than making no sense, I'll be sitting at the feet (Muppet babies feet? Peanuts gang feet?
...more
It's not that you've done something wrong! It's that you haven't done anything. The critical moment in this book will seem so familiar to you: you've not done something like it hundreds of times, or realized you were in danger of not doing it. A conversation must be had. You gotta break up with someone, or tell them you're in love with them. It's scary. You don't do it. These moments don't usually become crucial turning points in your life. You just move on, maybe a few degrees less happy than y
...more
"How can I escape,except through faith,madness or death?"
Kokoro is an epic melodrama of isolation and self-inflicted guilt. A beautiful heartfelt experience from the exploring friendship between a young graduate student and his mentor(Sensei).Soseki brilliantly unveils an intricate web of egoism,guilt,temptations and loneliness through various anecdotes on Sensei's reclusive living. No wonder Soseki succeeded Lafacdio Hearn as a lecturer in English Literature in the Imperial University(1903).
Kokoro is an epic melodrama of isolation and self-inflicted guilt. A beautiful heartfelt experience from the exploring friendship between a young graduate student and his mentor(Sensei).Soseki brilliantly unveils an intricate web of egoism,guilt,temptations and loneliness through various anecdotes on Sensei's reclusive living. No wonder Soseki succeeded Lafacdio Hearn as a lecturer in English Literature in the Imperial University(1903).
Kokoro is the title of this Japanese classic published in 1914 by Natsume Soseki. It is also a Japanese word meaning “the heart of a thing”, or in other words the essence or the core of whatever it is one is talking about, maybe a person or perhaps a concept. It is good to keep this in mind as you read the book. If the word intrigues you, I think you will also like the book. The book leads you on a search for understanding of the central character.
The story spreads over several years, starting ...more
The story spreads over several years, starting ...more
Mar 06, 2017
ἀρχαῖος (arkhaîos)(on leave)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
sōseki-natsume,
fiction
As with many 'classic' Japanese novels, 'Kokoro' is a rumination on changing mores. Japan went through many culture shaking changes between the time in 1853 that U.S. Navy Commander and erstwhile 'diplomat' threatened Tokyo with bombardment if Japan did not enter into diplomatic discussions and the post-WWII period.
I found this book to be both fascinating and frustrating as it carries the reader over various times of change. Indeed, I often found myself to be quite upset at the characters as th ...more
I found this book to be both fascinating and frustrating as it carries the reader over various times of change. Indeed, I often found myself to be quite upset at the characters as th ...more
------------------VIDEO REVIEW------------------
I did a full video review on this book, including some background information on Natsume and the cultural and historical context of the book.
19/4/20
Read this for my diverse classics book club. Really enjoyed it!
You can find me on
Youtube | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Website ...more
I did a full video review on this book, including some background information on Natsume and the cultural and historical context of the book.
19/4/20
Read this for my diverse classics book club. Really enjoyed it!
You can find me on
Youtube | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Website ...more
My book club buddy made us all read it because he was dating a Japanese girl and wanted to learn more about her culture (I hope one day someone reads Prus for me, that would be real love). Anyway, they've been married for a while now, so that should give you an idea how behind I am with my reviews.
After all the melodrama of the Western literature, reading Kokoro was a refreshing experience of emotional restraint. It's an absolute classic, written in 1914, the end of Meiji era when Japan was goi ...more
After all the melodrama of the Western literature, reading Kokoro was a refreshing experience of emotional restraint. It's an absolute classic, written in 1914, the end of Meiji era when Japan was goi ...more
Kokoro is the story of an unnamed protagonist who meets his mentor whom he refers to as Sensei. Truth be told not much take place in the book as far as action is concerned so if you are looking for a page turner you'll probably end up disappointed. However, Soseki manages to portray a whole era masterfully and he really unravels the depths of human psyche. The themes included in the book are mistrusting people, dysfunctional communication, inability to relate to other people's feelings, sadness,
...more
11/30/2016 - update: thanks to my love for foreign films, British comedy and other shows which for some reason we cannot get here, we have multi-region dvd capability & so I was able to watch the movie based on this novel. Scroll to the bottom of this post if at all interested in the film.*
Kokoro is,as I discovered, one of those novels where a second reading and a bit of research can completely change what you thought about it after the first time through. The second read was spurred by 1) disco ...more
Kokoro is,as I discovered, one of those novels where a second reading and a bit of research can completely change what you thought about it after the first time through. The second read was spurred by 1) disco ...more
Some books I close the cover on and I could tell you that minute exactly what I think of them, what they were trying to convey, and whether they have done it well. This isn’t one of those books. I finished it. I sat a while. I pondered. I wondered even then if there was something about our narrator and Sensei’s relationship that I had missed, something about Sensei and his friend, K’s? Sensei means “teacher”, but what exactly did he wish to teach our young narrator and did he succeed?
I wondered ...more
I wondered ...more
This amazing 248 pages Classics was written beautifully, enough to get my attachment after few pages. It told stories on human relationship with one another, on different degree. Relationship that happen to everyone. The feelings that probably can be called 'love' of different angle, of different literary meaning, and individual's actions based on the feeling. Sometimes we didn't notice we did something because of love, as we didn't even notice the love is there. We thought we are doing it to fi
...more
私はその人を常に先生と呼んでいた。だからここでもただ先生と書くだけで本名は打ち明けない。
This is the first line of Kokoro, a fantastic line that sets the stage for the story of the relationship between a young man and an older gentleman he refers to as Sensei.
"I usually call the person "sensei." And so, here I will just refer to him as "sensei" without revealing his true name."
Like much of Soseki's books, the tone is gentle with quite a bit of dialogue and not much of what Westerners would call action. Many of the book's themes are univer ...more
This is the first line of Kokoro, a fantastic line that sets the stage for the story of the relationship between a young man and an older gentleman he refers to as Sensei.
"I usually call the person "sensei." And so, here I will just refer to him as "sensei" without revealing his true name."
Like much of Soseki's books, the tone is gentle with quite a bit of dialogue and not much of what Westerners would call action. Many of the book's themes are univer ...more
A book as delicate as a butterfly, its wings fluttering in the wind, spreading the fragrance of a fresh honeycomb. No wonder Haruki Murakami named this to be his favourite writer. Both have a way of glancing into the depths of one's soul and writing from the heart and this meditation kindly providing a profound insight into the nature of loneliness is amongst the rawest, most heartfelt I have ever read.
I have always been fascinated by the way in which Japanese writers are expressing their ideas, ...more
I have always been fascinated by the way in which Japanese writers are expressing their ideas, ...more
Is it too early to call this my favorite book of the year? Because right now, I feel like I have been blessed with transcendence. The quiet storm.
In 1910s Japan, an aimless young man finds a kindred spirit in Sensei, an older gentleman who happens to be a bit of a recluse. The young man is desperate for life lessons, and is hopeful that Sensei can provide him with existential answers. The book is separated into three sections: Part 1 explores the two men’s unexpected friendship. Part 2 is the na ...more
In 1910s Japan, an aimless young man finds a kindred spirit in Sensei, an older gentleman who happens to be a bit of a recluse. The young man is desperate for life lessons, and is hopeful that Sensei can provide him with existential answers. The book is separated into three sections: Part 1 explores the two men’s unexpected friendship. Part 2 is the na ...more
This is a very quiet book, one that whispers its way through the details of a friendship between two men but which brings us to an understanding of how the understated detail can be more intense and painful than one which is expressed loudly and with force. The level of restraint and discipline displayed are admirable in many ways, but they coexist with an a great deal of hypocrisy and an expectation of self-imposed subservience .
However the book was marred ,for me, from the beginning by the fa ...more
However the book was marred ,for me, from the beginning by the fa ...more
Mar 26, 2019
Hiba Arrame
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
japanese-literature,
favorites
I have just finished this, I'm on a bus, so many faces, and I wonder, how lonely are the souls behind these tired, cheerful, talking faces? What lays beyond the head resting on the glass pane and the lost gaze in a horizon unseen to everyone else?
I found myself surprisingly relating so much to Sensei, and I imagined myself having lengthy conversations with him where we finish each other's sentences. Would his fate have been different if he had found in someone else his heart's desire and secrets ...more
I found myself surprisingly relating so much to Sensei, and I imagined myself having lengthy conversations with him where we finish each other's sentences. Would his fate have been different if he had found in someone else his heart's desire and secrets ...more
This novel, centered around the friendship of a young student and an elder "Sensei", deals with the transition from Japan's Meiji society to the modern era. The young student develops a strange fascination with the misanthrope Sensei and through vague conversations, and ultimately a tell-all epistle, discovers the truth behind the Sensei's ennui and malaise. The book moves slowly, and the reluctance of the characters to just say what they are thinking is a bit tedious, but it is well written and
...more
I was concerned that I was finding it a bit dull, and Sensei felt too dramatic and self-important to care what happens to him. He certainly isn't likeable, but his testament in the last chapter is enthralling and makes the book. It leaves us with a very strange ending.
"loneliness is the price we have to pay for being in the modern age, so full of freedom, independence, and our own egotistical selves"
"But what affected me most was his last sentence, which had perhaps been written as an afterthoug ...more
"loneliness is the price we have to pay for being in the modern age, so full of freedom, independence, and our own egotistical selves"
"But what affected me most was his last sentence, which had perhaps been written as an afterthoug ...more
Aug 01, 2012
Tam
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
like-a-lot,
other-lit
I am deeply drawn into the atmosphere in Kokoro. There is something so "Japanese" about the book that I could not describe. Quiet, slow, serene, beautiful and seemingly calm, yet somehow so strong, so unsettling, stirring my heart. I enjoyed this feeling, the deeply unsettled emotions.
The story flows and unfolds so very slowly, still somehow I found myself devouring every single word. The mere 250 pages seem to last a lot longer, as if I have experienced the deep, silent, cautiously guarded sadn ...more
The story flows and unfolds so very slowly, still somehow I found myself devouring every single word. The mere 250 pages seem to last a lot longer, as if I have experienced the deep, silent, cautiously guarded sadn ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| /lit/ (revival ed...: [July 2020] Kokoro by Natsume Sōseki | 18 | 72 | Aug 08, 2020 07:09PM | |
| Reading 1001: Kokoro by Natsume Sōseki | 4 | 19 | Apr 18, 2020 08:40PM | |
| Japanese Literature: Discussion for Kokoro, by Natsume Sōseki | 38 | 159 | Mar 12, 2020 07:13AM | |
| Never too Late to...: 2019 August: Kokoro | 20 | 35 | Aug 26, 2019 11:28AM | |
| Goodreads Librari...: Incorrect summary for specific edition | 3 | 12 | Feb 12, 2019 07:03PM | |
| Club littéraire p...: Club littéraire parisien - 11 juin 2017 à 17h00 | 3 | 6 | Jun 10, 2017 07:39AM | |
| End of book comments | 1 | 25 | Jan 02, 2016 06:54PM |
Readers also enjoyed
Natsume Sōseki (夏目 漱石), born Natsume Kinnosuke (夏目 金之助), was a Japanese novelist. He is best known for his novels Kokoro, Botchan, I Am a Cat and his unfinished work Light and Darkness. He was also a scholar of British literature and composer of haiku, kanshi, and fairy tales. From 1984 until 2004, his portrait appeared on the front of the Japanese 1000 yen note. In Japan, he is often considered t
...more
Related Articles
While dealing with her husband's illness, this debut author turned to the refuge of Jane Austen's work. That refuge turned into her highly anticipa...
90 likes · 13 comments
3 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“I believe that words uttered in passion contain a greater living truth than do those words which express thoughts rationally conceived. It is blood that moves the body. Words are not meant to stir the air only: they are capable of moving greater things.”
—
329 likes
“You seem to be under the impression that there is a special breed of bad humans. There is no such thing as a stereotype bad man in this world. Under normal conditions, everybody is more or less good, or, at least, ordinary. But tempt them, and they may suddenly change. That is what is so frightening about men.”
—
264 likes
More quotes…
Jan 25, 2019 03:08PM
Aug 10, 2020 11:34AM