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[Carol]

Tim wrote: "That review honestly makes me more interested. I’m putting it on my “as soon as I can find it” book list."

I thought she was generous and also accurate -- not easy with this one.

[Tim]

Carol wrote: "Tim wrote: "That review honestly makes me more interested. I’m putting it on my “as soon as I can find it” book list."

I thought she was generous and also accurate -- not easy with this one."
I went ahead and ordered a copy. While I understand it may not be anywhere near his best, I love this style of meta-narrative that I'm reading about. My favorite Tanizaki thus far that I've read is "Devil's in Daylight" which is another meta style narrative (in that case he discusses film, by showing people witness a murder behind a screen, where also the killer is too close at first and has to move away like a cinematic close up). Playing with narratives about his own writing and that of another... that is absolutely intriguing to me.

[Carol]

Tim wrote: "Carol wrote: "Tim wrote: "That review honestly makes me more interested. I’m putting it on my “as soon as I can find it” book list."

I thought she was generous and also accurate -- not easy with t..."

Same here. I'm not familiar with Devil's in Daylight. Is it a short story?

[Tim]

Carol wrote: "Same here. I'm not familiar with Devil's in Daylight. Is it a short story? "

More short novel than short story. The hardcover edition I have is about 87 pages, with generous font/spacing. It makes up for its length by being a fascinating and very different Tanizaki from all his other works that I've seen. While his usual obsessions are still on display, this one is much more of an examination (and dare I say celebration?) of American and European influence on Japan... which is just odd, given his later works (this was very early into his career). It examines cinema's influence and stories like Poe's The Gold Bug, from a Japanese standpoint.

[Carol]

Tim wrote: "Carol wrote: "Same here. I'm not familiar with Devil's in Daylight. Is it a short story? "

More short novel than short story. The hardcover edition I have is about 87 pages, with generous font/spa..."
I'll have to find it. Your description is highly intriguing. Thank you, Tim.

[J]

Rhea wrote: "I'm trying to read Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, but I'm not very far. Hope to stick with it. Haruki Murakami is a comfort food, like a cheeseburger."

I love this novel! One of my favourites of Murakami, and I am very fond of the End of the World section. I hope you stick with it and enjoy it too :)

[Rhea]

^ Thanks! =D
I'm at chapter 5, which according to the kindle, puts me at about 11%. I have no idea what's going on. Like less idea than your typical Haruki Murakami book. It's still fun to read, but it's really weird. Part of me almost wonders if the problem lies with me and I've forgotten how to read, because man, I have had poor luck reading this year anything that's not YA for my own pleasure.

One thing though is that (view spoiler)[ I think it's pulling a trick with the even chapters, but I suppose I don't have enough information to go off of. (hide spoiler)]

[Rhea]

I put down Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World until I'm done with the semester.

This is technically a "done reading" but I haven't written my review yet. The Beast Player is good. Read it. It's Young Adult, but honestly my brother thinks it's aimed more at Adults. Agree to Disagree I guess.

Talking to my brother, who has read the first volume in Japanese, but not the second (though he has it) the English volume -may- comprise multiple Japanese volumes. Possibly all of them. At least 2 of them. Unless my brother has a bad memory.

There's some anime for the series, so he knew what I was talking about when I brought up plot points, but he would also say "no I don't remember reading that".

Review up here

[J]

I'm halfway through Tanizaki's Quicksand. Very... dramatic, I think.

[Sam]

Just finished reading 'Ayako' by Osamu Tezuka. My first time delving into manga/graphic novels.

[Carol]

I finished A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro and am looking forward to our May discussion during which everyone will explain it to me. :) I'm sufficiently confused and conflicted about its interpretation that I spent an hour this morning reading, first, reviews, and finally succumbing to reading a 20 page academic paper. That confused. It's a fast read, but reading it is only the beginning of the mental investment given its ambiguity, IMO.

[Carol]

FYI, the Mystery, Crime and Thriller group will be discussing two Japanese novels starting May 1: The Tokyo Zodiac Murders by Soji Shimada, and Six Four by Hideo Yokoyama. I will be moderating the Tokyo Zodiac discussion and invite anyone who is interested to join. The discussion threads aren't yet set up, but the group's landing page is linked below, in case you are interested.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Ian]

The Tokyo Zodiac has some really good points... and... hmmm... I found the beginning really hard to get through.

6-4 is great, enjoy.

[Carol]

Josh wrote: "The Tokyo Zodiac has some really good points... and... hmmm... I found the beginning really hard to get through.

6-4 is great, enjoy."

I hope by beginning, you mean, perhaps 25 pages :) thanks, Josh.

[Ian]

Please let me know what you think. Tokyo Zodiac is an
Example of an oft seen single translation work... always begging to know why no more...

[Carol]

Josh wrote: "Please let me know what you think. Tokyo Zodiac is an
Example of an oft seen single translation work... always begging to know why no more..."

Odd also because he’s quite a prolific author -right?

[Carol]

J wrote: "I'm halfway through Tanizaki's Quicksand. Very... dramatic, I think."

@J, Did you finish Quicksand? I'm curious what you thought of it.

[Carol]

I started People Who Eat Darkness: The True Story of a Young Woman Who Vanished from the Streets of Tokyo - and the Evil That Swallowed Her Up by Richard Lloyd Parry last evening. I nominated it for my IRL true crime book club, and have high hopes but am only a dozen pages in.

[Ian]

PWED along with Perry's other work are great. If you don't know about that crime it will be an especially shocking and emotional read.

[Carol]

Josh wrote: "PWED along with Perry's other work are great. If you don't know about that crime it will be an especially shocking and emotional read."

I don't know a thing. I do wish the font were larger, however.

[Simon]

Just started Murakami's South of the Border, West of the Sun.

[Joanne]

I've been reading Science Fiction and Fantasy. just finished a weird book called the hike. it's like a cross between The Wizard of Oz and Monty Python's flying Circus. right now I'm reading the Uglies I'm finding it really good. it's about how people value physical appearance and it takes that to the extreme. I haven't seen a lot of books in this group I wanted to read. many of them have been very dark or depressing in tone. I was interested in the book I Am a Catthough. I still might look for it. I have a cat myself and she's great! I will be checking back now and then.

[Joanne]

Simon wrote: "Just started Murakami's South of the Border, West of the Sun."I liked his 1Q84

[swatreads]

Penance by Kanae Minato

[Rhea]

Joanne wrote: right now I'm reading the Uglies <...> I was interested in the book I Am a Cat though.

Oooh, I'm a big YA fan. Been reading a lot of it lately since I've been so stressed with school. I stopped reading Uglies after the 3rd book, but maybe that will be different with you!

I put it on hold, but I got through the first book of I am a Cat. I felt it had a very "Cat-like" voice, so I think it could be a fun one, but it is quite a commitment. Not Les Mis bad, but, still. Personally, if you haven't, I'd recommend A Cat, A Man, and Two Women I know the book is oldish, but I honestly didn't realize when I read it. It felt modern. And I found it hilarious. I think I want to give it to cat fans.

I'm reading "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith which people seem to love, so I'm hoping I will too.

[Joanne]

Rhea wrote: "Joanne wrote: right now I'm reading the Uglies I was interested in the book I Am a Cat though.

Oooh, I'm a big YA fan. Been reading a lot of it lately since I've been so stressed with school. I s..."Thanks for your suggestion Rhea. Yes, that was one of the things that kept me from starting "I Am a Cat", its length. The book I want to get is just volumes 1-3. I thought I might read just part of it. Your suggestion sounds neat though! I recently read a YA book called Earth Girl. Its a story that takes place in the future when people can portal. However, some people can't and they get really sick from it. Those people have to stay on Earth and are called "handicapped". Its a study of how people feel about disabilities and the self esteem problems of faced by those who have the disabilities. In that way, it sort of resembles the Uglies. That's how I first got interested in it. Also, it provides a very imaginative description of what Earth could be like in the future.

[Joanne]

I Started I Am a Cat last night. I have to say I am quite disappointed in it though I might try to read it a bit more. It is not really written in a cat's voice to me and is not very entertaining. Also, too many spoilers in the introduction.

[Joanne]

Rhea, I also got that other book you suggested. I think I might like it better.

[Rhea]

Joanne wrote: "I Started I Am a Cat last night. I have to say I am quite disappointed in it though I might try to read it a bit more. It is not really written in a cat's voice to me and is not very entertaining. ..."

Urgh. I completely forgot to mention not to read the introduction. I don't know why they put those in books. "Hello reader of this book we know you haven't read before! We're gonna tell you everything that happens!"

I suspect it comes off more cat-like in Japanese due to pronoun usage. IIRC it uses a pretty smug "I" for the cat. I think the Wikipedia page when I last checked angrily indicated the title should be "We are a cat".

This is blatant back-pedaling, but maybe cat-like actions would be a better word. Like my cat eats everything. Like you're an obligate carnivore and yet you're trying to eat my sandwich which doesn't have meat in it. Or my ice cream.

I recall food stealing (though maybe not literally from people's plates. Don't remember).

There's plenty of cat interaction with cattier cats, but I don't recall any puffiness which is a shame because that is literally my favorite part of cats other than the noises.

I think the point of the book if I recall from the Introduction after I stopped reading it was it was more about making observations in a satirical manner.

Book 1 lacked:

GO AWAY CAT. *nuzzle nuzzle* *knocks down vases because he hasn't been fed* GO AWAY CAT.

Clearly I can do a better job than Soseki at writing cats!


There's also The Guest Cat but I recommend that with caveats: The cat is not the main character, and you will not know everything that happens (the second part upset a lot of people regarding that book). If you can accept those two caveats, I recommend it, it's relaxing, but I personally prefer Tanizaki's book more. Also if you read it, there are cultural notes in the back about stuff that seemed fairly obscure to me.


Also not sure of the best place to put this: GR recommended to me Forbidden Colors, which seems safe (after some bad experiences I usually don't read a Mishima without recommendation, but either way I'm reading Sea of Fertility first). I wanted some thoughts before I added this to my reading list. I don't know anyone whose read any more Mishima than I have ;_;

[Bill]

Rhea: I've read most of Mishima, but I'm not sure whether to recommend Forbidden Colors to you or not. What didn't you like about some of his novels?

As to introductions, I agree they often contain spoilers. But they also contain context about the author and the time and place where the book was written, to help you understand the intended audience. But I do skip over the spoiler-laden parts of introductions, too.

[Carol]

I know I’m in the minority, but i love introductions and couldn’t care less whether they discuss plot points or not. They add to my understanding and appreciation of what I’m about to read. When I finish the book, it’s too late for me to notice or attend to key points, so I’mnot interested in reading introductions after finishing the book. It’s too late then.

In fact, I feel wronged when, as at the moment, I pay full price for a 2013 publication of a classic novel (first published in 1964), and there is nothing but the text. But I digress...

[Bill]

I feel wrong when I pick up a work that's hundreds or thousands of years old and the introduction is shorter than the work itself. In those cases, I don't much mind spoilers, because the story is sometimes hard to relate to.

Honestly, how old does something have to be before the word 'spoiler' no longer applies? Yes, I once saw someone complain about the following spoiler:
(view spoiler)[Gilgamesh dies in the end (hide spoiler)]

[Dioni]

I like reading Introduction, but only at the end ;)

[Carol]

Bill wrote: "I feel wrong when I pick up a work that's hundreds or thousands of years old and the introduction is shorter than the work itself. In those cases, I don't much mind spoilers, because the story is s..."

Another good point. I saw a No-spoiler thread set up for a group read of Romeo and Juliet earlier this year and shook my head for a good hour thereafter.

[Dioni]

Carol wrote: "Bill wrote: "Another good point. I saw a No-spoiler thread set up for a group read of Romeo and Juliet earlier this year and shook my head for a good hour thereafter. "

Hilarious. I'm guessing it's probably intended for a very young group of readers? Hard to imagine going through life for more than 20 years without knowing all the 'spoilers' in R&J :)

[Ian]

I'm sure in the near future they'll back out the word tragedy on all the RandJ covers.

[Carol]

Dioni (Bookie Mee) wrote: "Carol wrote: "Bill wrote: "Another good point. I saw a No-spoiler thread set up for a group read of Romeo and Juliet earlier this year and shook my head for a good hour thereafter. "

Hilarious. I'..."

Sadly, no. Adult classics book club. Tending toward over-40.

I think this is one of those areas where there is a sizable gulf between the two camps. One of my favorite mods on GR is so energized about avoiding spoilers in any novel that she opposes even the creation of a spoilers-permitted thread because some spoilers could become known to her via the daily update email to which she subscribes. OTOH, I frequently read the last five pages of many books before deciding to buy them.

Mutual respect is the only way we readers co-exist. lol.

[Bill]

Mutual respect?? This is the internet!

[Dioni]

Ahah, reading the last 5 pages is certainly crossing the line for me ;). A book blogger I know also says she reads the end of the book before she reads the middle. Interesting technique!

[Rhea]

Bill wrote: "Rhea: I've read most of Mishima, but I'm not sure whether to recommend Forbidden Colors to you or not. What didn't you like about some of his novels?"

I've read:

Confessions of a Mask: (Fav)
The Temple of the Golden Pavillion:
The Sound of the Waves
Sun and Steel:
Patriotism:

The last two I hated. I picked them up because a librarian directed me to the Mishima section and clearly wanted me to leave (maybe her shift was up?) so I grabbed at random.

I guess the way I'd put it is, Darkness is great, self-hatred is great (not in real life please. Please love yourself), or being pretty. The last two frankly came off as "Head up his ass political screeds". Like I was reading a prettily-written pamphlet and not a book.

Like if you had told me that those two were what he had written before the Mishima incident, I would have believed you.

[Joanne]

I started to read the Introduction of I Am a Cat but stopped because I thought the spoilers in it ruined the book for me. (view spoiler)[For those of you who have read the book, you know that the introduction tells you that the cat dies in the end. She in fact gets drowned! How awful! How many of you would have wanted to know that before starting the book. Not me!(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Joanne]

Oh and by the way, I want to thank Rhea again for recommending a Cat, a Man and Two Women by Tanizaki. At 180 pages it is much more accessible to me as a book I could finish. I would have wanted a book with larger print though and a less rigid binding than the one I got though. I might get it on a Kindle just for that purpose. So I could adjust the size of the print and have something easier to hold.

[Joanne]

Rhea wrote: "Joanne wrote: "I Started I Am a Cat last night. I have to say I am quite disappointed in it though I might try to read it a bit more. It is not really written in a cat's voice to me and is not very..."Rhea, I can see you know cats! You must have at least one or know someone who has one! Our cat does something similar to that thing you said about knocking vases over when she wants to be fed. Today, she sharpened her claws on the bottom of my husband's sneaker. That's pretty harmless. She's good and allows us to trim her claws frequently so even if she decides to sharpen her claws on furniture for attention, there is no damage done and they just slide around. Must be very annoying to her!

I started reading A Cat, A Man and Two Women last night! I am really enjoying much more than I Am a Cat. I think the humor in it is just funnier! I thought I Am a Cat was just boring. (view spoiler)[ really, it went on for 4 or 5 pages about how the cat owner tried various types of stomach remedies, perhaps about 10 or 20 of them and then decided sake was the best. (view spoiler)[

I have read and enjoyed Mishima a lot! I would definitely be interested in a group read in a book I haven't read.

I have read
The Sound of Waves (It's nice and short!)
The Temple of the Golden Pavilion
and
Spring Snow

I liked all of these. I like his writing style which is poetic but not too wordy. Sometimes, I would reread a sentence just because I liked the way it was phrased. Must be a great translator! Out of all of these books, I recommend them all. However, I liked Spring Snow the best because the characters are so well developed. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Joanne]

I was just looking at next month's book, Mishima's the Decay of the Angel. I really like his books but I wish you had not picked this one. I have not read the other ones in the series. The comment by someone under the book's review says you won't understand the ending unless you have read the others. I would be up for other Mishima books. Maybe ones not in series.

[Dioni]

Joanne wrote: "I was just looking at next month's book, Mishima's the Decay of the Angel. I really like his books but I wish you had not picked this one. I have not read the other ones in the series. The comment ..."

Joanne, you read the first book in the series together with this group, remember? It was Spring Snow.

[Joanne]

Dioni (Bookie Mee) wrote: "Joanne wrote: "I was just looking at next month's book, Mishima's the Decay of the Angel. I really like his books but I wish you had not picked this one. I have not read the other ones in the serie..."Oh yes you are right! Thanks Dioni! So in that case, do you think I would understand this last one in the series even if I haven't read the rest by June?

[Dioni]

Joanne wrote: "Dioni (Bookie Mee) wrote: "Joanne wrote: "I was just looking at next month's book, Mishima's the Decay of the Angel. I really like his books but I wish you had not picked this one. I have not read ..."

I can't say, because I haven't actually read the last book :)

What do you think Bill? You've read them all right?

[Bill]

I wouldn't bother reading Decay of the Angel without having read the others first.

[swatreads]

Naoko by Keigo Higashino

[Joanne]

Bill wrote: "I wouldn't bother reading Decay of the Angel without having read the others first."
Ok. Thanks Bill! I liked other Mishima novels but I don't think I would like Forbidden Colors. I don't go for a lot of sexual content and from the description, that's a major topic it covers.

I liked Spring Snow for the beautiful yet not too wordy language. Also, I liked watching the characters develop and mature. The story was very engaging. There was a lot of suspense. Maybe I should go on with the rest of the series on my own. What do you all think?