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The Tale of Genji: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) Editorial Review:
Written in the eleventh century, this exquisite portrait of courtly life in medieval Japan is widely celebrated as the world's first novel. Genji, the Shining Prince, is the son of an emperor. He is a passionate character whose tempestuous nature, family circumstances, love affairs, alliances, and shifting political fortunes form the core of this magnificent epic. Royall Tyler's superior translation is detailed, poetic, and superbly true to the Japanese original while allowing the modern reader to appreciate it as a contemporary treasure. Supplemented with detailed notes, glossaries, character lists, and chronologies to help the reader navigate the multigenerational narrative, this comprehensive edition presents this ancient tale in the grand style that it deserves.
Translated by Royall Tyler
Customer Reviews:
My Favourite Genji
I have exactly two quibbles with Royall Tyler: he should not have used (i) the word "unfazed" or (ii) the word "awesome" in his translation. These modern, and distinctly American, colloquialisms are utterly inappropriate in the Heian court of one thousand years ago. Still, a total of two minuscule faux pas in 1,150 pages is hardly a bad record. The prose is light and fluid; the poems are elegantly translated and helpfully annotated; the introduction, character lists and footnotes informative and supportive. All in all a magnificent work.
Walk through a virtual Japanese garden
Far more qualified minds than mine have commented on Tyler's translation and how it compares to earlier versions. I'll leave those questions to them and simply observe that this is a masterful novel.
At its heart it's not much more than an extended character study. However, its modernity and the freshness of its emotion never fail to amaze me. It's astounding to think that such a work was written one thousand years ago.
Tyler's introduction does a concise job introducing the reader to the conventions of medieval Japanese love poetry -- no small feat, considering the subtlety and complexity of the art. Tyler also provides important information about character names that I don't remember (perhaps erroneously) from other editions. Ultimately _Genji_ shouldn't be read for a fast-moving plot, but for the grace of its setting and the elegance of its characters.
The Genji in Wonderland
The Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition of Tyler's translation is splendid, "reader friendly at every turn" ( Newsweek ), and you should ( perhaps ) buy it. I owe three different translations of the Genji-monogatari:in German ( Oscar Benl ), in French ( René Sieffert ) and in English ( Royall Tyler ). The german translation is the best: artificially innocent, and excitingly ceremonial - you always enjoy a sort of stylistic chastity belt. The french translation is less sophisticated, more rhetoric, but, in the new edition ( 2007 ), it is completely overshadowed by around 500 breathtakingly beautiful japanese illustrations ( from the twelfth to the seventeenth century ). Now, this gallery happily becomes part of the translation - you are reading images.
Tyler's translation is simple and virile - he substitutes his voice for Murasaki's voice - "one could easily believe that the book was written by some gifted postmodernist" ( The Cleveland Plain Dealer ).
But do you understand the following passage ( it is the beginning of the ninth chapter ):
"The change of reign made all things a burden for Genji, and perhaps his rise in rank explains why he now renounced his lighter affairs, so that for many he multiplied the sorrows of neglect even while he himself, as though in retribution, continually lamented his own love's cruelty. She was so constantly at His Eminence's side that she might as well have been a commoner, and this seemed to displease the Empress Mother, who kept to the palace and left her in peace. Now and again His Eminence might hold a beautiful concert or something of the sort, one that set the whole court talking, so that he shone more brightly than ever; but he sadly missed the Heir Apparent, whose lack of effective support worried him, and his request that Genji look after him moved the new Commander to mingled joy and dismay."
( The translation becomes a kind of trompe l'oeil: where is Fujitsubo, where is the former Emperor, where is the new Emperor ... ).
I don't regret having bought Tyler's translation ( I like foot-notes ! ), but it's not the book for a desert island.
Superb Translation of a Classic
This translation by Royall Tyler is a complete, unabridged version, unlike that of Edward Seidensticker. Also, it comes with complete annotations on each page explaining the meaning of certain poems, allusions, positions in the Chinese royal hierarchy and clarifications where needed as regards characters, time of day, season, etc. The illustrations alone are worth the price of the book.
As a caution, it may be difficult for an occidental reader to understand the slow-paced writing of Chinese (and Japanese) writers. Plus the constant references to nature - mountains, trees, flowers, streams, waterfalls, etc. are unusual to most Western "ears". I strongly suggest first reading some of Junichiro Tanizaki's novels (a Japanese writer of the 1940's) in order to acclimatize yourself to the style. His great novels are Some Prefer Nettles and The Makioka Sisters. Both are slow-paced, but wonderful books.
Back to The Tale of Genji. First, it is considered one of the very first novels in history. Second, it was written by a woman in a position to observe the very top of Chinese society including the Emperor. Finally, it is beautifully written with stunning references to Nature and interesting character development. There is no overall plot. In fact Genji, the main character, dies half way through the novel. Overall a great novel and a fun read.
Bigger Than I Thought
Well, it may take me 5 years to read it, but it's supposed to be a classic, and I have tackled bigger. I started last night, and so far so good, did 20 pages. A lot of info, but I know I will get through it.
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