Greg’s Reviews > The Tale of Genji > Status Update

"Commander Koura had done all he could for the two Hitachi sons...He had decided to take the best-looking of them, still a boy, into his own intimate service.' This all sounds Greekish to me, I'm surprised, but then again the court giants get anything they want, all the time. Oddly, there is no mention of any kind of work, other than writing poetry and peeking through shutters. I'm sure our work hours are longer.

Here, "Ever flowing on Bamboo River gave us hopes then dashed all too soon, where I learned the lesson of the treachery of life" seems to have influenced a great movie song: "Moon River, wider than a mile, I'm crossing you in style some day. Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker, Wherever you're going, I'm going your way." Great literature is always a great source of inspiration.

Here, "Ever flowing on Bamboo River gave us hopes then dashed all too soon, where I learned the lesson of the treachery of life" seems to have influenced a great movie song: "Moon River, wider than a mile, I'm crossing you in style some day. Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker, Wherever you're going, I'm going your way." Great literature is always a great source of inspiration.

In this beautiful book, everyone is either beautiful or just short of being so. But Genji by far wins as the most beautiful character in the book: "The increasing radiance of his presence moved her Highness to wonder...if such a man should be seen in this world at all." Why, even his very body odor is described elsewhere in this book as "out-of-this-world". Alas, I'll not receive such comments, but life goes on!

Summer is here, but this winter description is lovely: "Along the dividing fence grew a dense stand of pines intended to show off the beauty of snow. There was a fence entwined with chrysanthemums to gather the morning frosts of early winter." I feel cooler already.

Genji takes much time choosing is young male dancers, then says "...I should like to indulge in the pleasures of the seasons-the blossoms, the autumn leaves, the changing skies." I don't know enough about Japanese court culture 1,000 years ago to fully understand what Genji is saying, thinking. But simply, to me, it sounds like he likes to try various types of love.

Genji, as a young man, hasn't a clue to life: "She must suspect me of wanting only to amuse myself, whereas in reality I am not frivolous at all.