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Wabi-Sabi
Living apart from his girlfriend Gabriela, university lecturer Samuel is shaken from his humdrum existence when he receives an enigmatic postcard from Japan and the unexpected visit at work of a girl trying to identify the language of a strange, haunting song. This sets Samuel on a quest that will take him to Kyoto, not only to discover the meaning of the cryptic message, which may hold the key to some of his unanswered questions, but also to find enlightenment, a new equilibrium and a reappreciation of the small joys of life. Written with Miralles s trademark wit and lightness of touch, Wabi-Sabi is a delightful tale about love and bridging cultural divides.
208 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
36 people are currently reading
832 people want to read
About the author
Francesc Miralles
219 books623 followersSon of a dressmaker and an erudite office worker, he was born in Barcelona on the 27th August 1968. After spending eight years in a religious school in la Ribera –just beside the Palau de la Música¡–, he attended high school at the extinguished academy ALMI and IES MONTSERRAT.
Despite his bad grades, he was accepted into the UAB’s faculty of Journalism, which he quited after four months. That the same year, he started to work as a waiter at LES PUCES DEL BARRI GÒTIC, a bar in the Gothic Quarter where he learned to play the piano.
In the following year, returning to the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, he started studying English Literature, which he combined with precarious language teacher jobs. After five years of being a sloth, he stalled at the third year of his studies and quited them again.
Having been attacked by travel fever since the age of seventeen, he decided to leave everything behind to travel the world. A bunch of chance encounters led him to live in Croatia and Slovenia during the armed conflicts.
Upon returning to Barcelona, he resumed his academic life as a student of German Literature at the Universidad de Barcelona. Once he completed his studies, he attended a master for publishers. His entrance in the editorial world had started a year earlier, as translator of German and English spirituality and alternative therapy books.
Before finishing his postgraduate studies, he got hired as editor for a publishing house specializing in self-help books. There, he directed several collections, and he also wrote many different types of work under a pseudonym.
After leaving the publishing house, he promised to himself never to work again for a company. He decided to try his luck with a first youth novel. Since then, he basically dedicates himself to writing, and works as literary adviser for different publishing houses and an agency.
LOVE IN LOWERCASE (AMOR EN MINUSCULA), already translated into twenty languages, is getting published in 2016 by Penguin USA. This book also has its second part, eight years later, in the WABI-SABI novel, about the beauty of imperfection, which will be published in UK this may.
Nowadays he combines literature and journalism, and on a monthly basis publishes articles in EL PAÍS SEMANAL, and in the magazines CUERPOMENTE and MENTESANA. Beyond this, he also works for the radio and offers literary Sherpa services and art therapies.
*****************************************************
Hijo de una modista y de un administrativo ilustrado, nació en Barcelona el 27 de agosto de 1968. Tras pasar ocho años en una escuela de curas de la Ribera —al lado del Palau de la Música—, cursó bachillerato entre la desaparecida academia ALMI y el IES MONTSERRAT.
Pese a su mal expediente consiguió ingresar en la facultad de Periodismo de la UAB, carrera que abandonó al cabo de cuatro meses. Aquel mismo año entró a trabajar de camarero en LES PUCES DEL BARRI GÒTIC, una taberna de la calle Montsió donde aprendió a tocar el piano.
Nuevamente en la Autónoma, el año siguiente inició la carrera de Filología Inglesa, que combinaría con empleos precarios de profesor de idiomas. Tras cinco años de desidia, se estancó en tercer curso de carrera y volvió a abandonar los estudios.
Atacado desde los 17 años por la fiebre del viajero, decidió dejarlo todo para vagar por el mundo. Un cúmulo de casualidades le llevaron a vivir en Croacia y Eslovenia durante los conflictos bélicos, peripecia que relataría muchos años después en su libro CAFÈ BALCÀNIC.
De regreso a Barcelona, se reenganchó a la vida académica como estudiante de Filología Alemana en la Central. Completada la carrera, hizo un postgrado para editores. Su ingreso en el mundo editorial había empezado ya un año antes, como traductor de alemán e inglés de libros de espiritualidad y terapias alternativas.
Inmediatamente después fue contratado como editor por un sello de autoayuda. Allí dirigió diversa
Despite his bad grades, he was accepted into the UAB’s faculty of Journalism, which he quited after four months. That the same year, he started to work as a waiter at LES PUCES DEL BARRI GÒTIC, a bar in the Gothic Quarter where he learned to play the piano.
In the following year, returning to the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, he started studying English Literature, which he combined with precarious language teacher jobs. After five years of being a sloth, he stalled at the third year of his studies and quited them again.
Having been attacked by travel fever since the age of seventeen, he decided to leave everything behind to travel the world. A bunch of chance encounters led him to live in Croatia and Slovenia during the armed conflicts.
Upon returning to Barcelona, he resumed his academic life as a student of German Literature at the Universidad de Barcelona. Once he completed his studies, he attended a master for publishers. His entrance in the editorial world had started a year earlier, as translator of German and English spirituality and alternative therapy books.
Before finishing his postgraduate studies, he got hired as editor for a publishing house specializing in self-help books. There, he directed several collections, and he also wrote many different types of work under a pseudonym.
After leaving the publishing house, he promised to himself never to work again for a company. He decided to try his luck with a first youth novel. Since then, he basically dedicates himself to writing, and works as literary adviser for different publishing houses and an agency.
LOVE IN LOWERCASE (AMOR EN MINUSCULA), already translated into twenty languages, is getting published in 2016 by Penguin USA. This book also has its second part, eight years later, in the WABI-SABI novel, about the beauty of imperfection, which will be published in UK this may.
Nowadays he combines literature and journalism, and on a monthly basis publishes articles in EL PAÍS SEMANAL, and in the magazines CUERPOMENTE and MENTESANA. Beyond this, he also works for the radio and offers literary Sherpa services and art therapies.
*****************************************************
Hijo de una modista y de un administrativo ilustrado, nació en Barcelona el 27 de agosto de 1968. Tras pasar ocho años en una escuela de curas de la Ribera —al lado del Palau de la Música—, cursó bachillerato entre la desaparecida academia ALMI y el IES MONTSERRAT.
Pese a su mal expediente consiguió ingresar en la facultad de Periodismo de la UAB, carrera que abandonó al cabo de cuatro meses. Aquel mismo año entró a trabajar de camarero en LES PUCES DEL BARRI GÒTIC, una taberna de la calle Montsió donde aprendió a tocar el piano.
Nuevamente en la Autónoma, el año siguiente inició la carrera de Filología Inglesa, que combinaría con empleos precarios de profesor de idiomas. Tras cinco años de desidia, se estancó en tercer curso de carrera y volvió a abandonar los estudios.
Atacado desde los 17 años por la fiebre del viajero, decidió dejarlo todo para vagar por el mundo. Un cúmulo de casualidades le llevaron a vivir en Croacia y Eslovenia durante los conflictos bélicos, peripecia que relataría muchos años después en su libro CAFÈ BALCÀNIC.
De regreso a Barcelona, se reenganchó a la vida académica como estudiante de Filología Alemana en la Central. Completada la carrera, hizo un postgrado para editores. Su ingreso en el mundo editorial había empezado ya un año antes, como traductor de alemán e inglés de libros de espiritualidad y terapias alternativas.
Inmediatamente después fue contratado como editor por un sello de autoayuda. Allí dirigió diversa
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
March 10, 2017
Wabi Sabi caught my eye as the type of book I normally like to read with a bit of a twist. The emphasis of the blurb is put on the strange postcards turning up to our protagonist’s door and a creepy song causing him to trek to Japan to find the source – it seemed to me like it was going to be your typical thriller/horror/mystery with a cultural twist.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Wabi Sabi is an inspirational, uplifting read full of quote worthy sentences to live your life by. The postcards and ‘mystery’ is not at all the core plot of the book, and actually, our protagonist ends up taking a much larger spiritual journey than he does a literal one to Japan.
Meet Samuel – a bit of a loser who lives alone with his cat and has just had his heart broken by the love of his life. Being a university lecturer, he’s dreading the boredom of summer vacation, and drifting into a deep depression. So, when a couple of postcards show up from Japan, he decides to visit Japan himself to work out who sent them and why.
We find out the source of the postcards about half way through the book – it was at this point that I dropped a star on the rating and saw the book as a 4/5. I was just a little disappointed – I wanted there to be more drama and more excitement surrounding the mysterious postcards.
However, when this stops becoming Samuel’s main motive for being in Japan, he decides to make his time there worthwhile. He meets a girl, he goes travelling, he learns about what a ‘Geisha’ is and even receives his very own shadow dance. His travels are much more than that, though – he learns about life, love and himself.
For me, the ending of the book clawed a star back, making my final review of Wabi Sabi a surprising 5/5. The character’s individual plots are all tied up – one of which ended up with me quietly sobbing on the train, with a twist that I definitely didn’t see coming.
Some reviews online criticise the book for not having much drama, and the storyline being a little unrealistic – whilst at first my thoughts were the exact same, my appreciation for the literature itself overruled my want for drama. Honestly, this is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. Every sentence is poetic, and I have scribbled a ton of quotes from this book down in my notebook because I liked them so much!
Overall, this book really touched my heart, and I would happily read this over and over again. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves any form of ‘self-help’ or needs a bit of a pick me up through a tough time in life. Equally, though, anyone who enjoys learning about different cultures would enjoy this book – it’s made me want to visit Japan!
Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Wabi Sabi is an inspirational, uplifting read full of quote worthy sentences to live your life by. The postcards and ‘mystery’ is not at all the core plot of the book, and actually, our protagonist ends up taking a much larger spiritual journey than he does a literal one to Japan.
Meet Samuel – a bit of a loser who lives alone with his cat and has just had his heart broken by the love of his life. Being a university lecturer, he’s dreading the boredom of summer vacation, and drifting into a deep depression. So, when a couple of postcards show up from Japan, he decides to visit Japan himself to work out who sent them and why.
We find out the source of the postcards about half way through the book – it was at this point that I dropped a star on the rating and saw the book as a 4/5. I was just a little disappointed – I wanted there to be more drama and more excitement surrounding the mysterious postcards.
However, when this stops becoming Samuel’s main motive for being in Japan, he decides to make his time there worthwhile. He meets a girl, he goes travelling, he learns about what a ‘Geisha’ is and even receives his very own shadow dance. His travels are much more than that, though – he learns about life, love and himself.
For me, the ending of the book clawed a star back, making my final review of Wabi Sabi a surprising 5/5. The character’s individual plots are all tied up – one of which ended up with me quietly sobbing on the train, with a twist that I definitely didn’t see coming.
Some reviews online criticise the book for not having much drama, and the storyline being a little unrealistic – whilst at first my thoughts were the exact same, my appreciation for the literature itself overruled my want for drama. Honestly, this is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. Every sentence is poetic, and I have scribbled a ton of quotes from this book down in my notebook because I liked them so much!
Overall, this book really touched my heart, and I would happily read this over and over again. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves any form of ‘self-help’ or needs a bit of a pick me up through a tough time in life. Equally, though, anyone who enjoys learning about different cultures would enjoy this book – it’s made me want to visit Japan!
Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
June 29, 2021
Dacă miroși o floare, ea îți împărtășește tainele ei. Mirosind-o, descoperi o parte din secretele universului... Mda! Protestez! De ce nu se aplică aceeași filozofie și în cazul peștelui stricat?! Discriminare.
November 1, 2016
Ревю -> http://justonebooklover.blogspot.bg/2...
~ ~ ~
“Уаби-саби” беше едно от най – вдъхновяващите четива, които съм чела! Един испанец се потапя в японската култура, за да се получи незабравим разказ за неизбежните промени, които настъпват в живота и стремежа винаги да извличаме ползите от тях, за пътуването към себе си, изпълнено с предизвикателства и за съвършеното в несъвършенствата!
~ ~ ~
“Уаби-саби” беше едно от най – вдъхновяващите четива, които съм чела! Един испанец се потапя в японската култура, за да се получи незабравим разказ за неизбежните промени, които настъпват в живота и стремежа винаги да извличаме ползите от тях, за пътуването към себе си, изпълнено с предизвикателства и за съвършеното в несъвършенствата!
September 2, 2016
I realize the kind of impression this book was meant to leave but I didn’t appreciate it for two reasons. The first is that the idea of romanticizing mid-life crises inspired journeys to far off lands where the protagonist finds a mysterious woman whose sole purpose throughout his stay is to show him a night of passion and give him some insights where his existential angst is concerned is just not my cup of tea. I personally do not buy into flighty notions of trips to mystical lands to find yourself – this is why this book didn’t appeal to me personally. Perhaps this method works for others.
Secondly, even if what the author’s trying to sell was something I did not approach with skepticism, I would still find it poorly executed, because it was a rather short story with some rather superficial insights into the protagonist’s evolution from uptight lecturer to . The writing I thought was very simplistic for the kind of weighty ideas that the author was trying to deal with. So in the end, although I thought the book started off quite well, it felt very hollow and not very credible.
Also, I would really like to know what the point of Daniel Lumbreras was.
Secondly, even if what the author’s trying to sell was something I did not approach with skepticism, I would still find it poorly executed, because it was a rather short story with some rather superficial insights into the protagonist’s evolution from uptight lecturer to . The writing I thought was very simplistic for the kind of weighty ideas that the author was trying to deal with. So in the end, although I thought the book started off quite well, it felt very hollow and not very credible.
Also, I would really like to know what the point of Daniel Lumbreras was.
May 22, 2024
"Stop complaining low,
life is pure imperfection.
Things are bumpy and rough
that's what's so funny about it. "
Обичате ли съвършенството?
Или ви привлича онова, което не е перфектно?
"Сигурно е невероятно интересно да се проучва темата за красотата на несъвършенството...
Има твърде много хора, които се опитват да правят всичко гладко и еднотипно. Светът е грапав и напукан. Нищо не става по начина, по който някой си го представя, и е добре, че е така, защото обратното би било ужасно скучно. "
"Уаби саби" Франсеск Миралес
Университетският преподавател от Барселона Самуел е съсипан след като годеницата му Габриела го изоставя и всичко започва да губи смисъл. /Странно е да четеш за човек с твоето име. Мисля, че последно го срещнах във френски романи/. Замисля се дали да се свърже с нея защото този, който изоставя, се чувства по-зле от изоставения.
В този момент две пощенски картички със загадъчното послание „Уаби-саби“ променят живота му. С намерението да открие тайнствения подател и да потърси информация за книгата на свой приятел Самуел заминава за Страната на изгряващото слънце, където намира нова надежда.
Според автора "Уаби-саби" е естетическо понятие, както и житейска философия. Отнася се до красотата на несъвършеното, преходното и незавършеното. Вдъхновена е от прякото наблюдение върху природата. В нея нищо не е съвършено според западното светоусещане. Нищо не е постоянно, защото всичко се ражда, умира и непрекъснато се променя. Нищо не е завършено напълно, тъй като идеята за цялост е абстракция, плод на човешкия мозък.
Извън книгата съществува и стил в интериора, който се нарича "Уаби -саби". Наричат го съзерцание на неподправената красота. Или буквално - спокойствие, простота и скромност. Философията му се крие в изтънчено съчетание на несъчетаеми понятия.
Лично аз бих предпочела действието да се развива повече в гореща Испания, която ме интригува. Азиатската култура с нейната изчистеност никога не ме е привличала особено.
Независимо, че и съзgателят на
маратонkume Reebok Джо Фостър,
отбелязва в биографоята си, че при престоя си влуkсозен хоmел в Tokuo тичал на писта, разположена среg ромолящи
поmочета и мостчета и gробовете му били пълни с мирисна бор и вишнев цвят, за мен,kakmo u за Самуел от романа, няма
нukakво очарование в пясъчниk, в koйmo kamo носещи се по воga, 15 kaмъka напоgобяват причуgливи планети, разположени в известна суха граgина.
Това е пореgнаmа kнига на Франcесk
Миралес, kояmо оmgaвна бе
привляkла вниманието ми и ми
пonаgна насkоро. Като цяло mой е
интересен автор - писател,
журналист, npeвоgач, музиkант,
пътешествениk, но мисля, че е
по-gобър в нехуgожествената
литература. Въпреkи че тази
kнига goсmа ме увлече зараgu
темата за несъвършенството и
усещането, че нещата не стават
kakmo нu ce ucka.
Има gосmа странна музuka,
вплетена В историята. Четивото
e nogxоgящо kakmo за мързелив
yukeнg, maka u за няkое пътуване.
life is pure imperfection.
Things are bumpy and rough
that's what's so funny about it. "
Обичате ли съвършенството?
Или ви привлича онова, което не е перфектно?
"Сигурно е невероятно интересно да се проучва темата за красотата на несъвършенството...
Има твърде много хора, които се опитват да правят всичко гладко и еднотипно. Светът е грапав и напукан. Нищо не става по начина, по който някой си го представя, и е добре, че е така, защото обратното би било ужасно скучно. "
"Уаби саби" Франсеск Миралес
Университетският преподавател от Барселона Самуел е съсипан след като годеницата му Габриела го изоставя и всичко започва да губи смисъл. /Странно е да четеш за човек с твоето име. Мисля, че последно го срещнах във френски романи/. Замисля се дали да се свърже с нея защото този, който изоставя, се чувства по-зле от изоставения.
В този момент две пощенски картички със загадъчното послание „Уаби-саби“ променят живота му. С намерението да открие тайнствения подател и да потърси информация за книгата на свой приятел Самуел заминава за Страната на изгряващото слънце, където намира нова надежда.
Според автора "Уаби-саби" е естетическо понятие, както и житейска философия. Отнася се до красотата на несъвършеното, преходното и незавършеното. Вдъхновена е от прякото наблюдение върху природата. В нея нищо не е съвършено според западното светоусещане. Нищо не е постоянно, защото всичко се ражда, умира и непрекъснато се променя. Нищо не е завършено напълно, тъй като идеята за цялост е абстракция, плод на човешкия мозък.
Извън книгата съществува и стил в интериора, който се нарича "Уаби -саби". Наричат го съзерцание на неподправената красота. Или буквално - спокойствие, простота и скромност. Философията му се крие в изтънчено съчетание на несъчетаеми понятия.
Лично аз бих предпочела действието да се развива повече в гореща Испания, която ме интригува. Азиатската култура с нейната изчистеност никога не ме е привличала особено.
Независимо, че и съзgателят на
маратонkume Reebok Джо Фостър,
отбелязва в биографоята си, че при престоя си влуkсозен хоmел в Tokuo тичал на писта, разположена среg ромолящи
поmочета и мостчета и gробовете му били пълни с мирисна бор и вишнев цвят, за мен,kakmo u за Самуел от романа, няма
нukakво очарование в пясъчниk, в koйmo kamo носещи се по воga, 15 kaмъka напоgобяват причуgливи планети, разположени в известна суха граgина.
Това е пореgнаmа kнига на Франcесk
Миралес, kояmо оmgaвна бе
привляkла вниманието ми и ми
пonаgна насkоро. Като цяло mой е
интересен автор - писател,
журналист, npeвоgач, музиkант,
пътешествениk, но мисля, че е
по-gобър в нехуgожествената
литература. Въпреkи че тази
kнига goсmа ме увлече зараgu
темата за несъвършенството и
усещането, че нещата не стават
kakmo нu ce ucka.
Има gосmа странна музuka,
вплетена В историята. Четивото
e nogxоgящо kakmo за мързелив
yukeнg, maka u за няkое пътуване.
December 20, 2020
Звезда и половина. Половината е за Япония и някои интересни факта. За книга, литература и всичко останало - нула звезди, или айде - една. Тъпо, смотано, чак не ми се вярва, че след Куелю може да пише някой така в наши дни. Ужас. Ако този човек си прави тези изводи на тази възраст, няма как да му бъде помогнато. Накрая като чух на колко хора благодари, лошо ми стана съвсем. Наистина ли нито един от изброените не му е казал: братле, наистина ли? Я по-добре прави бизнес, дори и незаконен. Е, не, той имал и други книги. Светът е пълен с изненади. Аз мислех, че само съвременните български автори пишат толкова малоумно, но то, че не е така. Малко ми е тъжно.
И, да, признавам си че я взех само защото е кратка за слушане и бързам за челинджа.
И, да, признавам си че я взех само защото е кратка за слушане и бързам за челинджа.
September 22, 2017
A lovely continuation of the book "Love In Small Letters". We find Samuel eight years later, no longer with the love of his life Gabriela. Again searching for some meaning to his relationships, and on receiving mysterious postcards from Kyoto (Japan), Samuel takes off on yet another existential journey.
This book also has lots of quirky characters and settings (such as the karaoke bar where songs about mushrooms are the hit of the day).
I'd love the Author to re-visit where Samuel finds himself in the future, as the book has such a lovely positive and open ending. I'd like to think it's good news for Samuel, maybe one day I'll find out.
This book also has lots of quirky characters and settings (such as the karaoke bar where songs about mushrooms are the hit of the day).
I'd love the Author to re-visit where Samuel finds himself in the future, as the book has such a lovely positive and open ending. I'd like to think it's good news for Samuel, maybe one day I'll find out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2023
Една малко по различна история за изборите, които правим и очакванията, които имаме към хората около нас.. Вижда ме и колко е важно да предизвикаме различни версии на самите нас..
October 5, 2020
Приятна книжка, която се чете за няколко часа. Очаквах повече, ако трябва да съм честна. Основното понятие "уаби-саби" не е особено силно застъпено, прокрадвайки се на моменти в повествованието за мъж на средна възраст, който претърпява раздяла и предприема кратко пътуване до Япония. Не мисля, че ще запомня нещо в тази книга, освен значението на "уаби-саби" или красотата на несъвършенството.
December 30, 2018
Francesc Miralles "Vabi sabi" - tikrai patikęs pasakojimas apie netobulumo grožį gyvenime, kurį ir pati stengiuosi įžvelgti kasdienybėje. Lengvas, nuoširdus, pamokantis kūrinys su japoniška atmosfera. 4/5
February 13, 2023
"there's a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." - L. Cohen
November 19, 2022
De prachtige cover van dit boek trok mijn aandacht onmiddellijk, maar misschien dat de inhoud daarom wat tegenviel. Ik had toch verwacht binnenin wat illustraties aan te treffen, zeker wanneer bepaalde kunst omschreven werd. Helaas was dit niet het geval. Ik kende de term ‘wabi sabi’ al en heb het altijd een mooi concept gevonden. Desondanks vond ik dat de auteur dit maar matig wist over te brengen in dit boek. Toen hij aan het eind ook nog eens over Intermitted Fasting begon was wat mij betreft de teleurstelling compleet. Ik weet het niet; als je aan de lopende band dit soort inspirerende boekjes kan schrijven, ben je dan nog geloofwaardig? En is de inhoud van al deze zelfhulpboekjes niet eigenlijk hetzelfde? Ik kon in ‘wabi sabi’ geen vernieuwende boodschap ontdekken.
Ondanks deze kritiek leest het boek lekker weg. Het is een dun boekje dus je hebt het zo uitgelezen. Tussen de verschillende hoofdstukken vind je af en toe een meditatie. Conclusie: prima als inspirerend hapje tussendoor maar verwacht er niet teveel van.
Ondanks deze kritiek leest het boek lekker weg. Het is een dun boekje dus je hebt het zo uitgelezen. Tussen de verschillende hoofdstukken vind je af en toe een meditatie. Conclusie: prima als inspirerend hapje tussendoor maar verwacht er niet teveel van.
June 1, 2025
Ik begon zeer sceptisch aan dit boek, vond het in eerste instantie een afgezaagd begin. Na daar doorheen te hebben geworsteld begon ik meer hoop te krijgen. Vooral rondom de ontmoeting met Valdemar. Vanaf het moment dat Samuel naar japan vertrok was het boek mijn aandacht kwijt. Daar ben ik achtergebleven.
Ja; er zijn mooie teksten ingeplakt en er vallen namen van bekende literatuur en auteurs waardoor het zichzelf interessant doet lijken. Toch vond ik het afgeraffeld en vaak erg leeg. Maar misschien is dat de wabi-sabi van het boek (?) Geen idee wat ik over het hoofd zie maar het is te rommelig voor mij om als één verhaal te lezen. De spirituele/filosofische ideeën die het aanstipt zijn er teveel- en blijven voor mij daardoor niet plakken.
Ja; er zijn mooie teksten ingeplakt en er vallen namen van bekende literatuur en auteurs waardoor het zichzelf interessant doet lijken. Toch vond ik het afgeraffeld en vaak erg leeg. Maar misschien is dat de wabi-sabi van het boek (?) Geen idee wat ik over het hoofd zie maar het is te rommelig voor mij om als één verhaal te lezen. De spirituele/filosofische ideeën die het aanstipt zijn er teveel- en blijven voor mij daardoor niet plakken.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2020
Fijn, ontroerend.
January 21, 2020
▪️”...keletas sekundžių svaiginamos laimės sieloje palieka gilesnį pėdsaką negu visas gyvenimas monotoniško laukimo.”
▪️”Pasaulis nenuspėjamas, bet išminčiai tvirtina, jog viskas nutinka tik tada, kai tam ateina laikas.”
▪️”Iš tikrųjų nėra nei bjaurių, nei gražių dalykų, tai tik mūsų bjaurėjimasis arba grožėjimasis jais.”
▪️”Pasaulis nenuspėjamas, bet išminčiai tvirtina, jog viskas nutinka tik tada, kai tam ateina laikas.”
▪️”Iš tikrųjų nėra nei bjaurių, nei gražių dalykų, tai tik mūsų bjaurėjimasis arba grožėjimasis jais.”
January 29, 2022
Habe das Buch zufällig als Mängelexemplar gekauft weil ich was für die Zugfahrt brauchte. Obwohl der Einband nicht ansprechend war, fand ich dass das Buch eigentlich sehr schön war. Etwas seicht vielleicht, aber hat bei mir ein schönes Gefühl hinterlassen und meinen Blickwinkel auf „Was ist Perfekt“ und was ist „Schönheit“ geändert.
May 19, 2023
*** (goed)
Een boekje om elk jaar te herlezen. Een helder geschreven bron van wijsheid.
Een boekje om elk jaar te herlezen. Een helder geschreven bron van wijsheid.
November 30, 2016
Идеята ми се стори доста интересна - красотата на несъвършенството, толкова японски звучаща!
Консервативен преподавател с току-що приключила връзка заминава за Япония. Историята започва интригуващо с мистериозни пристигащи писма от Киото. Тук обаче авторът пропуска според мен чудесни възможности да направи историята много по-интересна. В Япония се запознава с красива японка, която също е на финала на дългогодишна връзка. Едва тук-там в книгата се промъкват някои мисли и препратки към японски автори, които намекват за това, което обещаваше заглавието.
Лично аз се разочаровах. Очаквах много повече дълбочина. Очаквах по-скоро философски роман, а получих авантюристично-любовен, но от най-лековатите.
Консервативен преподавател с току-що приключила връзка заминава за Япония. Историята започва интригуващо с мистериозни пристигащи писма от Киото. Тук обаче авторът пропуска според мен чудесни възможности да направи историята много по-интересна. В Япония се запознава с красива японка, която също е на финала на дългогодишна връзка. Едва тук-там в книгата се промъкват някои мисли и препратки към японски автори, които намекват за това, което обещаваше заглавието.
Лично аз се разочаровах. Очаквах много повече дълбочина. Очаквах по-скоро философски роман, а получих авантюристично-любовен, но от най-лековатите.
May 14, 2024
Sinds Ikigai hebben auteurs Francesc Miralles en Héctor García met hun boekenreeks verschillende Japanse levensfilosofieën naar het westen gehaald. In Wabi sabi dompelen ze de lezer onder in de Japanse wijsheid van imperfectie. Wabi sabi is een term die zich lastig laat vertalen. Omdat het in iedere context te maken heeft met schoonheid en vergankelijkheid betekent het heel breed: ‘de schoonheid van het onvolledige, het niet-blijvende en het imperfecte.’ Het is geen idealistische leefwijze, in de zin van dat alles te verbeteren of te repareren valt. Nee, wabi sabi wil het niet mooier maken dan het is. En daarmee is dit een uitstekend handboek voor de (aanstormende) (im)perfectionist.
Lees mijn volledige recensie op elineschrijfthier.nl. ↖️
Lees mijn volledige recensie op elineschrijfthier.nl. ↖️
December 7, 2017
A break up, a mysterious postcard and an impromptu trip to Kyoto fuel this wonderful little story.
With a little bit of mystery this book really has a sense of self discovery, the culture of Japan is captured nicely. The characters are fleshed out enough to build upon the novel more, but overall the search to discover what Wabi-Sabi is, is woven cleverly with Sam's identity crisis and rediscovery of what he wants from life. Meeting similar people who are also at life changing points, in the atmosphere of Japan, especially Kyoto where it is far more relaxed, adds sense of calm to the novel.
A gentle read, without emotion shattering drama. A book about hope but not about grandeur.
With a little bit of mystery this book really has a sense of self discovery, the culture of Japan is captured nicely. The characters are fleshed out enough to build upon the novel more, but overall the search to discover what Wabi-Sabi is, is woven cleverly with Sam's identity crisis and rediscovery of what he wants from life. Meeting similar people who are also at life changing points, in the atmosphere of Japan, especially Kyoto where it is far more relaxed, adds sense of calm to the novel.
A gentle read, without emotion shattering drama. A book about hope but not about grandeur.
January 19, 2018
Не беше зле, нали това означаваха двете звезди?! Очаквах доста повече, а нищо съществено не се случваше страница след страница.
Имам влечение към Япония и японската култура, но много рядко ме очароват книгите за Япония. А може би е част от философията ми. Тази книга не беше нито за любов, нито за вдъхновение, нито пък за някакво кой знае какво прозрение. Не успя да ме грабне, но пък се четеше доста леко и бързо.
Имам влечение към Япония и японската култура, но много рядко ме очароват книгите за Япония. А може би е част от философията ми. Тази книга не беше нито за любов, нито за вдъхновение, нито пък за някакво кой знае какво прозрение. Не успя да ме грабне, но пък се четеше доста леко и бързо.
September 4, 2017
3.5 Приятна книга, продължение на "Любов с малки букви". Направих едно доста интересно пътуване до Япония. Припомних си малки, но важни неща.
"Гледам нагоре, докато вървя.
Така сълзите ми не капят."
"Гледам нагоре, докато вървя.
Така сълзите ми не капят."
February 22, 2018
Corta e imperfecta supongo que por eso me ha gustado. Es una manifestación del wabi-sabi pero en novela.
***
Short and imperfect I guess that's why I liked it. It is an example of wabi-sabi.
***
Short and imperfect I guess that's why I liked it. It is an example of wabi-sabi.
August 9, 2019
O lectură uşoară şi relaxantă, din care reiese că orice sfârşit poate fi un nou început.
Read
May 8, 2023Soms kom je in de trein of op een veerboot een onbekende tegen waar je mee aan de praat raakt en die allerlei wijsheden met je uitwisselt. Je weet niet wat je ervan moet denken maar sommige zaken knoop je in je oren en blijken jarenlang nuttig.
Dat gevoel kreeg ik een beetje bij het lezen van ‘Wabi sabi, de Japanse wijsheid van imperfectie’ van de Spanjaarden Francesc Miralles en Héctor Garcia. Het is een beetje zweverig geschreven boek vol anekdotes en citaten maar ik vond het toch wel prettig. Het maakt bijvoorbeeld goed duidelijk dat succes iets anders is dan geluk, al wordt ons vaak het tegenovergestelde wijsgemaakt. Ik ben er zelfs van overtuigd dat door het najagen van succes veel mensen niet meer weten wat geluk is. Ik hoorde deze week van een vrouw die met een onbestemd gevoel dat ze niet begreep naar de therapeut ging. Die vertelde haar dat ze gewoon gelukkig was. Dat had ze nog nooit ervaren.
Het kenmerk van zowel succes als geluk is dat je ze niet kunt vasthouden. Het boek, dat vermoed ik een soort mindfulness voor beginners is, legt uit hoe je daar mee om kan gaan. Een mooie tip vond ik ook dat je iedere dag in je dagboek noteert wat je energie geeft en wat je energie kost. De suggestie een iPhone-vrije kamer te maken is voor mij wat onpraktisch en om het advies dat je alleen maar wat aan je todo-list mag toevoegen als je die eerst heb leeg gemaakt moest ik dan weer hard lachen.
Dat gevoel kreeg ik een beetje bij het lezen van ‘Wabi sabi, de Japanse wijsheid van imperfectie’ van de Spanjaarden Francesc Miralles en Héctor Garcia. Het is een beetje zweverig geschreven boek vol anekdotes en citaten maar ik vond het toch wel prettig. Het maakt bijvoorbeeld goed duidelijk dat succes iets anders is dan geluk, al wordt ons vaak het tegenovergestelde wijsgemaakt. Ik ben er zelfs van overtuigd dat door het najagen van succes veel mensen niet meer weten wat geluk is. Ik hoorde deze week van een vrouw die met een onbestemd gevoel dat ze niet begreep naar de therapeut ging. Die vertelde haar dat ze gewoon gelukkig was. Dat had ze nog nooit ervaren.
Het kenmerk van zowel succes als geluk is dat je ze niet kunt vasthouden. Het boek, dat vermoed ik een soort mindfulness voor beginners is, legt uit hoe je daar mee om kan gaan. Een mooie tip vond ik ook dat je iedere dag in je dagboek noteert wat je energie geeft en wat je energie kost. De suggestie een iPhone-vrije kamer te maken is voor mij wat onpraktisch en om het advies dat je alleen maar wat aan je todo-list mag toevoegen als je die eerst heb leeg gemaakt moest ik dan weer hard lachen.
March 6, 2019
Mijn volledige recensie is terug te vinden op:
https://www.linda-linea-recta.nl/wabi...
Het verhaal wordt in de ik-persoon verteld door Samuel, een ietwat vereenzaamde literatuurdocent. Het start op oudejaarsavond, als hij zich realiseert dat het leven tussen zijn vingers door glipt.
Vervolgens staat er een kat voor zijn deur, welke Samuel binnenlaat en een schoteltje melk geeft. De kat blijft bij hem en hij besluit om hem Mishima te noemen. Alles wat hem hierna, vooral in positieve zin, overkomt dankt hij (vindt hij) aan een schoteltje melk en de kat.
Wat ben ik blij dat ik dit boek gelezen heb. Al was het alleen al voor de cover, en niet te vergeten dat mooie blauwe kapitaalbandje! Zo ontzettend gaaf. Als je vervolgens het boek openslaat zijn de eerste twee en de laatste twee pagina’s gevuld met kersenbloesemtakken. Maar hier doe ik het verhaal geen recht aan. Het heeft mij namelijk blij verrast, zeker wat het eerste gedeelte betreft. Het tweede gedeelte vond ik wat waziger. Maar ik heb met vreselijk veel plezier dit boek gelezen en er zelfs wat van opgestoken.
https://www.linda-linea-recta.nl/wabi...
Het verhaal wordt in de ik-persoon verteld door Samuel, een ietwat vereenzaamde literatuurdocent. Het start op oudejaarsavond, als hij zich realiseert dat het leven tussen zijn vingers door glipt.
Vervolgens staat er een kat voor zijn deur, welke Samuel binnenlaat en een schoteltje melk geeft. De kat blijft bij hem en hij besluit om hem Mishima te noemen. Alles wat hem hierna, vooral in positieve zin, overkomt dankt hij (vindt hij) aan een schoteltje melk en de kat.
Wat ben ik blij dat ik dit boek gelezen heb. Al was het alleen al voor de cover, en niet te vergeten dat mooie blauwe kapitaalbandje! Zo ontzettend gaaf. Als je vervolgens het boek openslaat zijn de eerste twee en de laatste twee pagina’s gevuld met kersenbloesemtakken. Maar hier doe ik het verhaal geen recht aan. Het heeft mij namelijk blij verrast, zeker wat het eerste gedeelte betreft. Het tweede gedeelte vond ik wat waziger. Maar ik heb met vreselijk veel plezier dit boek gelezen en er zelfs wat van opgestoken.
January 4, 2019
Gelukkig had ik niet gezien dat het een vertaling uit een vertaling is ( vanuit het Engels terwijl Miralles in het Spaans schrijft), anders had ik dit boek niet gelezen. Ik heb Wabi Sabi impulsief gekocht op oudjaarsdag en ik vond het passend dat het verhaal van Samuel op dezelfde dag begon.
Het boek is heel vlot geschreven.
Het verhaal is onderhoudend en grappig!
Samuel ( de hoofdpersonage ) is een academicus in de Duitse letteren, daarom gebruikt hij door het hele boek heen veel allegorieën uit de (Duitse) literatuur. Klassieke muziek maakt ook deel uit zijn wereld. Ik vond het boeiend en leerzaam. Ik luister nu graag naar Lieder ohne Worte van Mendelssohn :)
Het is geen zelfhulp boek maar hier en daar kan de lezer van de ervaringen van Samuel ‘leren’ ;)
Geen 5 sterren omdat het verhaal halfweg tijdelijk een beetje traag ging.
Het boek is heel vlot geschreven.
Het verhaal is onderhoudend en grappig!
Samuel ( de hoofdpersonage ) is een academicus in de Duitse letteren, daarom gebruikt hij door het hele boek heen veel allegorieën uit de (Duitse) literatuur. Klassieke muziek maakt ook deel uit zijn wereld. Ik vond het boeiend en leerzaam. Ik luister nu graag naar Lieder ohne Worte van Mendelssohn :)
Het is geen zelfhulp boek maar hier en daar kan de lezer van de ervaringen van Samuel ‘leren’ ;)
Geen 5 sterren omdat het verhaal halfweg tijdelijk een beetje traag ging.
March 31, 2025
Was echt een prachtig boek dat me meer inzicht heeft gegeven in de filosofie maar ook in de Japanse cultuur. Het sprak me af en toe enorm aan en de gedichten schetste vaak een mooie setting in mijn hoofd.
November 17, 2018
O carticica micuța care m-a făcut curioasa . Cultura japoneza ma inspira câteodată . Cred ca am sa mai citesc si alte cărți pentru a-mi îmbogăți cunoștiitele.
January 12, 2020
Interessante Geschichte, ernster als erwartet.
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