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Longing and Other Stories
Jun’ichirō Tanizaki is one of the most eminent Japanese writers of the twentieth century, renowned for his investigations of family dynamics, eroticism, and cultural identity. Most acclaimed for his postwar novels such as The Makioka Sisters and The Key , Tanizaki made his literary debut in 1910. This book presents three powerful stories of family life from the first decade of Tanizaki’s career that foreshadow the themes the great writer would go on to explore.
“Longing” recounts the fantastic journey of a precocious young boy through an eerie nighttime landscape. Replete with striking natural images and uncanny human encounters, it ends with a striking revelation. “Sorrows of a Heretic” follows a university student and aspiring novelist who lives in degrading poverty in a Tokyo tenement. Ambitious and tormented, the young man rebels against his family against a backdrop of sickness and death. “The Story of an Unhappy Mother” describes a vivacious but self-centered woman’s drastic transformation after a freak accident involving her son and daughter-in-law. Written in different genres, the three stories are united by a focus on mothers and sons and a concern for Japan’s traditional culture in the face of Westernization. The longtime Tanizaki translators Anthony H. Chambers and Paul McCarthy masterfully bring these important works to an Anglophone audience.
“Longing” recounts the fantastic journey of a precocious young boy through an eerie nighttime landscape. Replete with striking natural images and uncanny human encounters, it ends with a striking revelation. “Sorrows of a Heretic” follows a university student and aspiring novelist who lives in degrading poverty in a Tokyo tenement. Ambitious and tormented, the young man rebels against his family against a backdrop of sickness and death. “The Story of an Unhappy Mother” describes a vivacious but self-centered woman’s drastic transformation after a freak accident involving her son and daughter-in-law. Written in different genres, the three stories are united by a focus on mothers and sons and a concern for Japan’s traditional culture in the face of Westernization. The longtime Tanizaki translators Anthony H. Chambers and Paul McCarthy masterfully bring these important works to an Anglophone audience.
148 pages, Paperback
Published January 4, 2022
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About the author
Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
609 books2,216 followersJun'ichirō Tanizaki (谷崎 潤一郎) was a Japanese author, and one of the major writers of modern Japanese literature, perhaps the most popular Japanese novelist after Natsume Sōseki.
Some of his works present a rather shocking world of sexuality and destructive erotic obsessions; others, less sensational, subtly portray the dynamics of family life in the context of the rapid changes in 20th-century Japanese society.
Frequently his stories are narrated in the context of a search for cultural identity in which constructions of "the West" and "Japanese tradition" are juxtaposed. The results are complex, ironic, demure, and provocative.
Some of his works present a rather shocking world of sexuality and destructive erotic obsessions; others, less sensational, subtly portray the dynamics of family life in the context of the rapid changes in 20th-century Japanese society.
Frequently his stories are narrated in the context of a search for cultural identity in which constructions of "the West" and "Japanese tradition" are juxtaposed. The results are complex, ironic, demure, and provocative.
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February 18, 2026
My 1,001 review. And I still enjoy doing them!
Three stories of different types by a Japanese master. The introduction tells us they are, in order, fable, realism and drama. Since they are all short, I’ll go easy on details so I don’t give too much away. All three have a lot of psychological depth to them.
The title story, Longing, is a dream-like fable (or maybe a fable-like dream?) of a young boy seeking his mother. He’s wandering along a path at night and he encounters a ‘bad mother and a ‘good mother.’ But he’s not sure either one is really his mother.
Sorrows of a Heretic is about a 25-year-old man who lives in a squalid apartment with his mother, a domineering father, and a sister dying of TB. He has good intentions but he can’t make himself do things that he knows are in his best interest. For example, he can’t make himself study (a rich uncle gives him money for college); he can’t stop fighting with his father over every little thing; he can’t help treating his dying sister shabbily. As the story goes on we realize he’s not just dealing with ordinary laziness or irritability – it seems more like mental illness.
The Story of an Unhappy Mother is a psychological profile of how an almost-drowning accident changed the mother’s personality. “Mother’s whole person, her very existence, was as sorrowful as the saddest music.” Late in the story we get details of the incident that tell us more about why her personality changed.
The author (1886-1965) wrote many novels dealing with the themes of the conflict between western and Japanese cultural values, eroticism and sexual obsession, although these three stories don’t have those themes. The author’s best-known fictional work in the west is The Makioka Sisters, although he is even better-known for a collection of essays about design and architecture, In Praise of Shadows. I have read and enjoyed three of his novels and I liked Some Prefer Nettles best.
Junichiro Tanizaki (1886-1965) is one of my favorite authors. Here are links to my reviews of other books by him:
Some Prefer Nettles
Quicksand
Naomi
In Black and White
Top photo, Japan, 1953 by Ihee Kimura on tokyoartbeat.com
The author from the-tls.co.uk
Three stories of different types by a Japanese master. The introduction tells us they are, in order, fable, realism and drama. Since they are all short, I’ll go easy on details so I don’t give too much away. All three have a lot of psychological depth to them.
The title story, Longing, is a dream-like fable (or maybe a fable-like dream?) of a young boy seeking his mother. He’s wandering along a path at night and he encounters a ‘bad mother and a ‘good mother.’ But he’s not sure either one is really his mother.
Sorrows of a Heretic is about a 25-year-old man who lives in a squalid apartment with his mother, a domineering father, and a sister dying of TB. He has good intentions but he can’t make himself do things that he knows are in his best interest. For example, he can’t make himself study (a rich uncle gives him money for college); he can’t stop fighting with his father over every little thing; he can’t help treating his dying sister shabbily. As the story goes on we realize he’s not just dealing with ordinary laziness or irritability – it seems more like mental illness.
The Story of an Unhappy Mother is a psychological profile of how an almost-drowning accident changed the mother’s personality. “Mother’s whole person, her very existence, was as sorrowful as the saddest music.” Late in the story we get details of the incident that tell us more about why her personality changed.
The author (1886-1965) wrote many novels dealing with the themes of the conflict between western and Japanese cultural values, eroticism and sexual obsession, although these three stories don’t have those themes. The author’s best-known fictional work in the west is The Makioka Sisters, although he is even better-known for a collection of essays about design and architecture, In Praise of Shadows. I have read and enjoyed three of his novels and I liked Some Prefer Nettles best.
Junichiro Tanizaki (1886-1965) is one of my favorite authors. Here are links to my reviews of other books by him:
Some Prefer Nettles
Quicksand
Naomi
In Black and White
Top photo, Japan, 1953 by Ihee Kimura on tokyoartbeat.com
The author from the-tls.co.uk
August 28, 2021
This was my second foray into the work of Jun'ichirō Tanizaki after reading and greatly enjoying his epic novel The Makioka Sisters five years ago and his essay on Japanese esthetics In Praise of Shadows last year.
These three wonderful lengthy short stories stem from different periods in his life and as The Makioka Sisters focus on family life - the first and the third one especially on the relationship between mother and son - a subject that has been intriguing me for quite some times and which I so far didn't find a satisfying book about - though often found illuminating insights on in fiction.
The stories whet my appetite to read more of and about his work, as I gathered from only detail in the first story that one needs to be well versed in Japanese culture not to misread him - the eulogy on a woman's white foot for instance might come across as fetishism if unaware that the foot has special significance in Japan, where the traditional 'nine points' of feminine beauty include an elegant foot, as well as the line of a delicate neck rising from the back of a kimono, but remain silent on the subject of breasts. A Japanese writer praising a lovely foot might e compared to a Renaissance sonneteer admiring an ivory brow or star-bright eye.(from The Moon in the Water: Understanding Tanizaki, Kawabata, and Mishima).
'Longing' - dreamy story steeped in stunning imagery, written in sensuous, intricate prose
'Sorrows of a Heretic'
'The Story of an Unhappy Mother' - a powerful and unsettling story in which it was not so much the fine writing that gripped me but the intense drama provoked by shifting and conflicting loyalities because of marriage.
Further thoughts to come.
These three wonderful lengthy short stories stem from different periods in his life and as The Makioka Sisters focus on family life - the first and the third one especially on the relationship between mother and son - a subject that has been intriguing me for quite some times and which I so far didn't find a satisfying book about - though often found illuminating insights on in fiction.
The stories whet my appetite to read more of and about his work, as I gathered from only detail in the first story that one needs to be well versed in Japanese culture not to misread him - the eulogy on a woman's white foot for instance might come across as fetishism if unaware that the foot has special significance in Japan, where the traditional 'nine points' of feminine beauty include an elegant foot, as well as the line of a delicate neck rising from the back of a kimono, but remain silent on the subject of breasts. A Japanese writer praising a lovely foot might e compared to a Renaissance sonneteer admiring an ivory brow or star-bright eye.(from The Moon in the Water: Understanding Tanizaki, Kawabata, and Mishima).
'Longing' - dreamy story steeped in stunning imagery, written in sensuous, intricate prose
'Sorrows of a Heretic'
'The Story of an Unhappy Mother' - a powerful and unsettling story in which it was not so much the fine writing that gripped me but the intense drama provoked by shifting and conflicting loyalities because of marriage.
Further thoughts to come.
December 15, 2021
Three compelling stories dating from the early stages of renowned author Jun'ichirō Tanizaki’s writing career. Two, “Longing” from 1918, and “The Story of an Unhappy Mother” from 1921, are translated here by Paul McCarthy. The third “Sorrows of a Heretic” from 1916/17 is translated by Anthony H. Chambers. At first glance these seem an unlikely grouping, mostly because they vary so much in style and atmosphere but they share a number of concerns. Each story deals with family relationships and hierarchies, primarily bonds between mother and son. They touch on issues around illness and bodily fragility, and all suggest a society in some form of crisis. A culture characterised by deep generational divides, in which old certainties around loyalty, children’s duty towards their parents, all of the ways in which Confucianism scripted family interactions, are on the verge of fracture.
Tanizaki’s approach in each shifts quite dramatically. “Longing” is told with a deceptively simple grace, it’s an intimate study of yearning and loss, although Poe’s influence on Tanizaki also creeps in - visible in the increasingly eerie, melancholy atmosphere and unsettling encounters that verge on the supernatural. “Sorrows of a Heretic” reads like an extended character study, and reworks aspects of Tanizaki’s own life history. The central character Shozaburo’s a dissolute, arrogant but tormented, young man. A university student who neglects his studies, wasting his time on drinking and morally dubious pursuits; while at home his impoverished family are focused on his teenage sister who's slowly dying from consumption. It’s a much earthier piece with an underlying sense of the grotesque. It’s presented here with a final paragraph, removed by Tanizaki in a later revision, that emphasizes its links to his experiences. “The Story of an Unhappy Mother” is more elusive in flavour, a fascinating, psychologically-complex account of a tragic incident that destroys two members of a family, recounted by a possibly unreliable, over-invested, narrator. I found the translations fluid and convincing. It’s also a well-edited collection complete with brief, explanatory notes for references in the texts, and a useful afterword providing detailed background information for each piece - although there’s a tendency for the translators to steer readers towards specific interpretations.
Thanks to Edelweiss Plus and publisher Columbia University Press for an arc
Tanizaki’s approach in each shifts quite dramatically. “Longing” is told with a deceptively simple grace, it’s an intimate study of yearning and loss, although Poe’s influence on Tanizaki also creeps in - visible in the increasingly eerie, melancholy atmosphere and unsettling encounters that verge on the supernatural. “Sorrows of a Heretic” reads like an extended character study, and reworks aspects of Tanizaki’s own life history. The central character Shozaburo’s a dissolute, arrogant but tormented, young man. A university student who neglects his studies, wasting his time on drinking and morally dubious pursuits; while at home his impoverished family are focused on his teenage sister who's slowly dying from consumption. It’s a much earthier piece with an underlying sense of the grotesque. It’s presented here with a final paragraph, removed by Tanizaki in a later revision, that emphasizes its links to his experiences. “The Story of an Unhappy Mother” is more elusive in flavour, a fascinating, psychologically-complex account of a tragic incident that destroys two members of a family, recounted by a possibly unreliable, over-invested, narrator. I found the translations fluid and convincing. It’s also a well-edited collection complete with brief, explanatory notes for references in the texts, and a useful afterword providing detailed background information for each piece - although there’s a tendency for the translators to steer readers towards specific interpretations.
Thanks to Edelweiss Plus and publisher Columbia University Press for an arc
September 22, 2021
This collection of three lenghty short stories focuses on the relationship between sons and their mothers: The first introduces us to a child longing for his mother, the second portrays a selfish teenager with a terminally ill sister and a desperate mother, and the third is the story of a newlywed, thus adding the role of mother-in-law to his mother's repertoire. I really enjoyed the subtle way in which the themes are explored and Tanizaki's elegant, slow-moving language that gives weight to decisive details.
The afterword explains how the stories correspond with the time they were written and set in, how Confucian thinking informs the narrators, and how some events relate to the author's own life - I won't spoil anything here, because going in blind will definitely alter the reading experience and allow you to shift perceptions after gathering more information.
A wonderful collection - I need to read more Tanizaki.
The afterword explains how the stories correspond with the time they were written and set in, how Confucian thinking informs the narrators, and how some events relate to the author's own life - I won't spoil anything here, because going in blind will definitely alter the reading experience and allow you to shift perceptions after gathering more information.
A wonderful collection - I need to read more Tanizaki.
August 14, 2021
Three interesting stories of mother and son relations, all based on the live of the author, that show the strain a modernising society put on confucian morals
I have portrayed honestly and unreservedly, to the extent possible and justifiable, matters that struck my heart as fact s at the time. In this sense, this is my only confessional work. - Jun'ichirō Tanizaki about Sorrows of a Heretic, the longest story included in Longing and Other Stories
The bundle contains three distinct stories, with titular Longing kicking off the collection.
That voice - though it was less a voice than a profound silence - created a melancholy music that made the quietness of the night still more mysterious….
A boy lost in the dark pine woods after relocating from Tokyo ends up in an almost dreamlike voyage through the rural landscape. In terms of alienation it reminded me of Sylvia Plath her novella Mary Ventura and the Ninth Kingdom. The narrator in no way feels childlike, a hint to quite an emotive tale in terms of environmental depiction. Quite uncanny.
Sorrows of a heretic
You were born with a defective spirit
An unlikeable main character who has lucid dreams and speaks unconsciously out loud, with a dying sister at home. The discussion and backstory of a gramophone at the start of the novel was rather excessive in my view. Then we have some lending gone wrong, and even more character flaws in the narrator, however his fellow students are not much better, only wanting to visit a grieving family because they think the sister of the deceased hot.
Egotistical, lazy, indulgent, unreliable - the main character is drawn by Tanizaki in an unflattering manner, beaten down by circumstances with no way out, but also at his core no true morality.
The ending is very sudden; apparently autobiographical, and a very unflinching character study
The story of an unhappy mother
Younger brother narrating a family’s tragedy, befallen to his mother and eldest brother.
Again a spoiled child character in the spotlight, this time a mother instead of a son.
Confucian morals maxed out, coming into the spotlight due to a freak boat incident.
I am sure Mother will go on living in my heart forever, uttered at the end of the story feels almost like a threat.
An interesting collection of uncanny, uncomfortable tales from a great Japanese writer.
I have portrayed honestly and unreservedly, to the extent possible and justifiable, matters that struck my heart as fact s at the time. In this sense, this is my only confessional work. - Jun'ichirō Tanizaki about Sorrows of a Heretic, the longest story included in Longing and Other Stories
The bundle contains three distinct stories, with titular Longing kicking off the collection.
That voice - though it was less a voice than a profound silence - created a melancholy music that made the quietness of the night still more mysterious….
A boy lost in the dark pine woods after relocating from Tokyo ends up in an almost dreamlike voyage through the rural landscape. In terms of alienation it reminded me of Sylvia Plath her novella Mary Ventura and the Ninth Kingdom. The narrator in no way feels childlike, a hint to quite an emotive tale in terms of environmental depiction. Quite uncanny.
Sorrows of a heretic
You were born with a defective spirit
An unlikeable main character who has lucid dreams and speaks unconsciously out loud, with a dying sister at home. The discussion and backstory of a gramophone at the start of the novel was rather excessive in my view. Then we have some lending gone wrong, and even more character flaws in the narrator, however his fellow students are not much better, only wanting to visit a grieving family because they think the sister of the deceased hot.
Egotistical, lazy, indulgent, unreliable - the main character is drawn by Tanizaki in an unflattering manner, beaten down by circumstances with no way out, but also at his core no true morality.
The ending is very sudden; apparently autobiographical, and a very unflinching character study
The story of an unhappy mother
Younger brother narrating a family’s tragedy, befallen to his mother and eldest brother.
Again a spoiled child character in the spotlight, this time a mother instead of a son.
Confucian morals maxed out, coming into the spotlight due to a freak boat incident.
I am sure Mother will go on living in my heart forever, uttered at the end of the story feels almost like a threat.
An interesting collection of uncanny, uncomfortable tales from a great Japanese writer.
January 5, 2022
Tanizaki’s collection of two stories and a novella involves tales of mothers and sons and then move beyond to other family members relationships. There are dream segments with gauzy atmosphere, realistic segments where interactions seem hateful, and others where you’re left to wonder at these people and how they interpret their lives and each event as it occurs. I particularly liked “The Longing,” written as a dream, a child searching for his mother while walking on a forest path at night. The imagery was so perfect. “Sorrows of the Heretic” is a more harsh story of a son in conflict with his family. “The Story of an Unhappy Mother “ is again a mother and son story but far more complicated.
In an enlightening afterword, these stories are linked to the changes in Japanese society of the time and the impact of these changes on the Confucian ideas of family. This helped my understanding quite a bit. I have previously read The Makioka Sisters which I enjoyed and which also deals with a family going through social change.
I do recommend this collection but definitely read to the end. The remarks are helpful and add layers of meaning.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
In an enlightening afterword, these stories are linked to the changes in Japanese society of the time and the impact of these changes on the Confucian ideas of family. This helped my understanding quite a bit. I have previously read The Makioka Sisters which I enjoyed and which also deals with a family going through social change.
I do recommend this collection but definitely read to the end. The remarks are helpful and add layers of meaning.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
December 13, 2021
"When I go out into the world, will I have to endure the same suffering and distress as my parents?"
Three short stories about mothers and sons were written by Junichiro Tanizaki, a Japanese author of the 20th century.
Longing translated by Paul McCarthy
My favorite story is about a son looking for his lost mother on road in the moonlight. So a wonderful and touching story. It was like a poem, enjoyable read, very beautifully written and translated.
Sorrows of a Heretic translated by Anthony H. Chambers
hōzaburō is a university student living with his family. This was like his biography.
The Story of an Unhappy Mother is translated by Paul McCarthy
This was a story of an unhappy mother, who changed into a different person after her elder son’s marriage. The story is told by the younger son. He believed his brother killed his mother, and that it was his mother who killed his brother.
Many thank Columbia University Press and NetGalley for an ARC, I have given my honest review.
Pub Date 04 Jan 2022
Reviewed on 07 Oct 2021
Three short stories about mothers and sons were written by Junichiro Tanizaki, a Japanese author of the 20th century.
Longing translated by Paul McCarthy
My favorite story is about a son looking for his lost mother on road in the moonlight. So a wonderful and touching story. It was like a poem, enjoyable read, very beautifully written and translated.
Sorrows of a Heretic translated by Anthony H. Chambers
hōzaburō is a university student living with his family. This was like his biography.
The Story of an Unhappy Mother is translated by Paul McCarthy
This was a story of an unhappy mother, who changed into a different person after her elder son’s marriage. The story is told by the younger son. He believed his brother killed his mother, and that it was his mother who killed his brother.
Many thank Columbia University Press and NetGalley for an ARC, I have given my honest review.
Pub Date 04 Jan 2022
Reviewed on 07 Oct 2021
August 20, 2021
Video Review (YouTube)
Wow, this is an important translation! Based on the translator's afterword, these three stories are semi-autobiographical, and all explore the family dynamics of Jun'ichirō Tanizaki. This review will avoid revealing much about the stories (as per the publisher's request), but instead will delve more into the context of why I think this book is going to be a really great release.
I think beyond their aesthetic and biographical interest, these stories will be important for a cultural analysis of existentialism in twentieth century literary fiction. When I was reading them they did remind me very much of Dostoyevsky's 'Notes From The Underground', which the translator then also referenced in the afterword! This is interesting, because in the West, we normally attribute existential philosophy/fiction to Nietzsche's pronouncement that 'God is Dead' in the late 1800s (and the preceding philosophical work before this), but this was always largely in a Christian, Western (European and American) context.
Here instead the translators suggest these stories show that in Japan, around a similar time frame (these stories published around 1910), Tanizaki's writing and real-life experiences had existential-like themes, except these were vying against Confucian and Buddhist norms of family values. This could be one of the first parallels to 'the anti-hero' in Eastern literature and culture, and it makes me doubtful of just how relevant 'God Is Dead' might be to the timing of existentialism as a movement.
Ok, so getting back to earth, I have not yet read Jun'ichirō Tanizaki before. Like some readers, I do know he has written a book about the aesthetics of shadows. All 3 stories in this collection feature a son as a main character feeling somewhat detached from one of more family members (usually the mother). In this way the stories read as a cycle and seem connected, yet they do vary differently in writing style.
Story 1: 5*
I really loved story 1. It is the most 'dream-like' reading experience I have ever read, it feels like a flashback, and it has a powerful ending that made me cry.
Story 2: 3*
This story is the most important of the collection, but it is hard to love because the anti-hero is notoriously wretched. Like Notes From The Underground, I appreciate it but struggle to find it comfortable to read! I did think the ending seemed to go on too long. As the translator suggested, the final chapter which Tanizaki originally removed might have weakened it.
Story 3: 3*
This story is dark and twisted, it feels more like psychological horror and moves closer to family abuse as a theme than the others. It develops well structurally, but it's hard to really like this story because of the abuse in it. Of course, this is more down to personal taste as well, and people who like dark, shocking stories (horror) will find this more appealing than Story 1.
Overall: 4*
I'll make a video review about this soon, but for now, anyone interested in Japanese classics/literary fiction should consider finding these when they are released in January 2022.
Thank you Netgalley & Columbia University Press for providing this excellent ARC, and I wish its success on its release. The translation is fluid, and the translator's note is excellent. This is the first NetGalley ARCs I've read without a single typographical or grammatical error, so clearly a lot of care has been taken with the editing, too!
—
This is my 14th advanced reader copy (ARC) review. This means I received this ebook for free, and read it on my old Amazon Kindle, in exchange for this review which I have also published on Netgalley. I'm not financially motivated, as I read library books, so I only read ARCs I actually think will be good enough for me to rate and review honestly.
Wow, this is an important translation! Based on the translator's afterword, these three stories are semi-autobiographical, and all explore the family dynamics of Jun'ichirō Tanizaki. This review will avoid revealing much about the stories (as per the publisher's request), but instead will delve more into the context of why I think this book is going to be a really great release.
I think beyond their aesthetic and biographical interest, these stories will be important for a cultural analysis of existentialism in twentieth century literary fiction. When I was reading them they did remind me very much of Dostoyevsky's 'Notes From The Underground', which the translator then also referenced in the afterword! This is interesting, because in the West, we normally attribute existential philosophy/fiction to Nietzsche's pronouncement that 'God is Dead' in the late 1800s (and the preceding philosophical work before this), but this was always largely in a Christian, Western (European and American) context.
Here instead the translators suggest these stories show that in Japan, around a similar time frame (these stories published around 1910), Tanizaki's writing and real-life experiences had existential-like themes, except these were vying against Confucian and Buddhist norms of family values. This could be one of the first parallels to 'the anti-hero' in Eastern literature and culture, and it makes me doubtful of just how relevant 'God Is Dead' might be to the timing of existentialism as a movement.
Ok, so getting back to earth, I have not yet read Jun'ichirō Tanizaki before. Like some readers, I do know he has written a book about the aesthetics of shadows. All 3 stories in this collection feature a son as a main character feeling somewhat detached from one of more family members (usually the mother). In this way the stories read as a cycle and seem connected, yet they do vary differently in writing style.
Story 1: 5*
I really loved story 1. It is the most 'dream-like' reading experience I have ever read, it feels like a flashback, and it has a powerful ending that made me cry.
Story 2: 3*
This story is the most important of the collection, but it is hard to love because the anti-hero is notoriously wretched. Like Notes From The Underground, I appreciate it but struggle to find it comfortable to read! I did think the ending seemed to go on too long. As the translator suggested, the final chapter which Tanizaki originally removed might have weakened it.
Story 3: 3*
This story is dark and twisted, it feels more like psychological horror and moves closer to family abuse as a theme than the others. It develops well structurally, but it's hard to really like this story because of the abuse in it. Of course, this is more down to personal taste as well, and people who like dark, shocking stories (horror) will find this more appealing than Story 1.
Overall: 4*
I'll make a video review about this soon, but for now, anyone interested in Japanese classics/literary fiction should consider finding these when they are released in January 2022.
Thank you Netgalley & Columbia University Press for providing this excellent ARC, and I wish its success on its release. The translation is fluid, and the translator's note is excellent. This is the first NetGalley ARCs I've read without a single typographical or grammatical error, so clearly a lot of care has been taken with the editing, too!
—
This is my 14th advanced reader copy (ARC) review. This means I received this ebook for free, and read it on my old Amazon Kindle, in exchange for this review which I have also published on Netgalley. I'm not financially motivated, as I read library books, so I only read ARCs I actually think will be good enough for me to rate and review honestly.
January 4, 2022
This was my first book by Junichiro Tanizaki, one of the great Japanese authors of the 20th century. I thought a collection of three short stories could be a good place to start, especially given they explore themes Tanizaki would go on to develop in his future work. And it was.
First story: 2,5 stars
Second: 4 stars
Third: 4 stars
Average: 3,5 rounded up to 4.
The first story is much more dreamlike than the other two, a child wandering around in a strange dark landscape looking for his mother - I did not connect at all and was ready to give up on the book altogether.
The second story is very realistic, about a pretty horrible student mistreating his family and fellow students. Very well build-up.
The third story is about an unhappy mother who changes after her eldest son marries. Also a very intriguing read.
As often with classical authors, the afterword by the translator has real added value. It places the stories in the historical context (e.g. Meiji period) and highlights the cultural references (e.g. honouring Confucian principles) hidden in the text. I am sure that the better one is versed in Japanese history and culture the more they will enjoy this collection. But even for a complete layman as myself it was interesting.
Thanks for the ARC.
First story: 2,5 stars
Second: 4 stars
Third: 4 stars
Average: 3,5 rounded up to 4.
The first story is much more dreamlike than the other two, a child wandering around in a strange dark landscape looking for his mother - I did not connect at all and was ready to give up on the book altogether.
The second story is very realistic, about a pretty horrible student mistreating his family and fellow students. Very well build-up.
The third story is about an unhappy mother who changes after her eldest son marries. Also a very intriguing read.
As often with classical authors, the afterword by the translator has real added value. It places the stories in the historical context (e.g. Meiji period) and highlights the cultural references (e.g. honouring Confucian principles) hidden in the text. I am sure that the better one is versed in Japanese history and culture the more they will enjoy this collection. But even for a complete layman as myself it was interesting.
Thanks for the ARC.
November 16, 2021
117th book of 2021.
3.5. It’s funny that Tanizaki made his literary debut in 1910, but this is a new collection that will be published in January 2022. I’m a big fan of Japanese literature but haven’t yet read any Tanizaki (one of the leading writers in 20th century Japan), so thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy to review.
There are three longish short stories compiled in the collection, “Longing” (1918), “Sorrows of a Heretic” (1916-17) and “The Story of an Unhappy Mother” (1921). All three stories focus on family, particularly that of mothers and sons. The more I read the more I think of Japanese literature as being the brother/sister of Russian literature. There’s something about the dejected, disillusioned youths in both that remind me of one another. The protagonist of the second story here is a university student who fails to go to classes and instead freeloads off his friends and disobeys and disappoints his parents; there’s something of Raskolnikov in him. The first story on the other hand is Kafkaesque, a young boy walking through a strange nightmarish landscape at night, looking for his mother. The ending of this story failed completely for me and ruined what was otherwise going to be a strong and unnerving piece. The last story took some time for it to find momentum but ultimately was compelling enough. The second story was the strongest for me and earnt itself a solid 4 stars and the collection as a whole would have followed suit, had the ending of the first story not been so damaging.
As far as the prose goes, Tanizaki reminded me of the clear and beautiful prose found in other Japanese writers I have read and admired: Mishima, Kawabata, etc. Japanese prose has that distinctive ‘telling’ type of writing which comes across as very technical and economical, because when done poorly, would ignore every writing course’s mantra: Show Don’t Tell. The telling sort of prose has made itself into contemporary Japanese literature and is the sort of prose that Murakami has made for himself as a style. I’ve never found Murakami’s style particularly original in that respect, only his ideas. That being said, it’s clear that Tanizaki is a skilled writer and I’m now doubly eager to read some of his novels, the household names such as The Makioka Sisters and Some Prefer Nettles. This collection was a brief but strong starting point for his body of work and anyone familiar with Tanizaki would equally relish these stories of his.
3.5. It’s funny that Tanizaki made his literary debut in 1910, but this is a new collection that will be published in January 2022. I’m a big fan of Japanese literature but haven’t yet read any Tanizaki (one of the leading writers in 20th century Japan), so thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy to review.
There are three longish short stories compiled in the collection, “Longing” (1918), “Sorrows of a Heretic” (1916-17) and “The Story of an Unhappy Mother” (1921). All three stories focus on family, particularly that of mothers and sons. The more I read the more I think of Japanese literature as being the brother/sister of Russian literature. There’s something about the dejected, disillusioned youths in both that remind me of one another. The protagonist of the second story here is a university student who fails to go to classes and instead freeloads off his friends and disobeys and disappoints his parents; there’s something of Raskolnikov in him. The first story on the other hand is Kafkaesque, a young boy walking through a strange nightmarish landscape at night, looking for his mother. The ending of this story failed completely for me and ruined what was otherwise going to be a strong and unnerving piece. The last story took some time for it to find momentum but ultimately was compelling enough. The second story was the strongest for me and earnt itself a solid 4 stars and the collection as a whole would have followed suit, had the ending of the first story not been so damaging.
As far as the prose goes, Tanizaki reminded me of the clear and beautiful prose found in other Japanese writers I have read and admired: Mishima, Kawabata, etc. Japanese prose has that distinctive ‘telling’ type of writing which comes across as very technical and economical, because when done poorly, would ignore every writing course’s mantra: Show Don’t Tell. The telling sort of prose has made itself into contemporary Japanese literature and is the sort of prose that Murakami has made for himself as a style. I’ve never found Murakami’s style particularly original in that respect, only his ideas. That being said, it’s clear that Tanizaki is a skilled writer and I’m now doubly eager to read some of his novels, the household names such as The Makioka Sisters and Some Prefer Nettles. This collection was a brief but strong starting point for his body of work and anyone familiar with Tanizaki would equally relish these stories of his.
February 3, 2023
[9/10]
Does it long for the past –
the bird that cries,
passing over the sacred spring,
where the ever-green yuzuruha grow?
- Man’yoshu
My first stories from Tanizaki, but definitely not my last. The title is well chosen, since all three novellas included here deal with regrets about the past, and with the sadness of knowing there’s nothing you can do about it but remember, and cry.
The other thing that brings these stories together is thematic: the relationships between sons and mothers, between traditional Japanese values [as illustrated by the opening lines from the oldest collection of poetry in the country] and the modern values brought by contact with foreign cultures.
Longing
A sorrow as pellucid as pure, clear water, as sharp and piercing as the sad notes of a samisen, entered the depths of my heart from somewhere unknown.
The first story, the one that gives the title to the collection, is a dream narrative from an eight years old boy. He seems aware that he is dreaming, yet unable to deviate in any way from the moonlit path he is following, chasing the elusive melody of a three-chord samisen, a barely remembered tune from his earlier years. “Tempura kuitai, tempura kuitai.”
The story flows with an eerie beauty, following sudden changes in scenery that reinforce the sensation of loneliness, of being lost and searching for something he loves dearly. There’s nothing yet, at least for me, to indicate this is a Japanese story, probably because I am unfamiliar with the symbolic values of dark pines, white sands and samisen songs. Yet the dream world is a familiar one, from my own half-remember childhood nightmares: of being weightless, of a black and white world, of being chased by some unknown dread.
The fact that everything surrounding me was so silent must have frightened me. If I weren’t careful, perhaps I too would become frozen in place, like the seashore pine trees and the sandy beach, unable to move. Then I would have turned into a stone upon the shore, with the cold moonlight pouring down upon my head year after year after year.
When the boy finally meets another night traveller, the nature of the dream will become clear, his longing given a name.
“The moon weeps, and its tears fall on my cheeks. Look up – see how the moon is weeping!”
Sorrows of a Heretic
When there’s so much beauty in dreams and in the sky, why do I live in such a squalid world? Longing all the more for the phantom world he had just seen, Shozaburo was overwhelmed by a feeling of helplessness.
The second novella reminds me a bit of Dostoyevsky in the beginning, presenting us with the angst of a sensitive young student who lives in poverty, still in a house with his parents and ill sister in a rundown Tokyo neighborhood, Hatchobori.
Shozaburo feels persecuted by fate, expressing his insecurities in sudden attacks of rage and rebellion against his parents, and even resentment at the attention his dying sister receives. He also displays his lack of integrity and seriousness with his colleagues, borrowing money without paying back, telling lies and posing as a devil-may-care cynic.
Shozaburo feared that he would have gone mad and died long ago if he’d not been able to glimpse the sky through the room’s only window. It was unbelievable that this could be the dwelling of an advanced creature who prided itself on being the master of all creation.
Unable to communicate with his peers or with his family, Shozaburo seeks refuge in traditional music on a stolen gramophone, reading modern authors [Time and Free Will by Henri Bergson] and complaining that he is some sort of unrecognised genius. He would be a completely unpleasant lead character, but for some signs of remorse, of being aware what sort of scoundrel, of lowlife he has become.
The blind instinct that made him love the spot where he’d been born and the house in which he’d grown up always lurked somewhere in his heart and calmed the hot blood that sought to drive him out the door into a life of wandering.
Can this young man be redeemed? In a late reveal, just as in the first story, Tanizaki pulls back the curtain and hints at some autobiographical elements in the tale: young Shozaburo becomes a writer...
His was a sweet, aromatic art that drew its material from the strange nightmares fermenting in his brain.
The Story of an Unhappy Mother
The third and last novella looks once more at family relations, this time in a more affluent household, where the widowed mother tries to keep her children by her side by feigning imaginary illnesses, testing time and time again their devotion to traditional values.
One of the younger siblings, the narrator, feels she is taking advantage of their love, but the older brother, already an university graduate and successful in his own business, wants to do everything he can to protect her, unconditionally.
Yet, with a Mother constantly complaining that she is about to die and that her ungrateful children do not care enough, how much can you cling to tradition and respect for your elders? [see earlier spoiler]
So when I realized that Mother too would one day die, I felt unbearably sad. It was not only that I felt sorry for her – I sensed that this world itself is a terrible place.
There are early signs that this tale will have a tragic ending, and most of the story is built around the revelation of how such filial love can turn toxic, with all the best intentions in the world.
Of course, there’s a contrast between Mother’s old-fashioned habits and Fujiko’s up-to-date ones, but both of them are very sociable types.
I will not reveal the answer here, the only important thing to comment upon is that the crisis is the result of the older son getting married, doing his best to convince his mother to approve of his choice, and then watching helplessly as Fate turns it all into something poisonous.
>>><<<>>><<<
Tanizaki was very close to getting a Nobel Prize in literature late in his career, and I believe he would have deserved it. I intend to read his best known novel, The Makioka Sisters, which appears to be a longer study of the same themes presented in this too short collection.
Does it long for the past –
the bird that cries,
passing over the sacred spring,
where the ever-green yuzuruha grow?
- Man’yoshu
My first stories from Tanizaki, but definitely not my last. The title is well chosen, since all three novellas included here deal with regrets about the past, and with the sadness of knowing there’s nothing you can do about it but remember, and cry.
The other thing that brings these stories together is thematic: the relationships between sons and mothers, between traditional Japanese values [as illustrated by the opening lines from the oldest collection of poetry in the country] and the modern values brought by contact with foreign cultures.
Longing
A sorrow as pellucid as pure, clear water, as sharp and piercing as the sad notes of a samisen, entered the depths of my heart from somewhere unknown.
The first story, the one that gives the title to the collection, is a dream narrative from an eight years old boy. He seems aware that he is dreaming, yet unable to deviate in any way from the moonlit path he is following, chasing the elusive melody of a three-chord samisen, a barely remembered tune from his earlier years. “Tempura kuitai, tempura kuitai.”
The story flows with an eerie beauty, following sudden changes in scenery that reinforce the sensation of loneliness, of being lost and searching for something he loves dearly. There’s nothing yet, at least for me, to indicate this is a Japanese story, probably because I am unfamiliar with the symbolic values of dark pines, white sands and samisen songs. Yet the dream world is a familiar one, from my own half-remember childhood nightmares: of being weightless, of a black and white world, of being chased by some unknown dread.
The fact that everything surrounding me was so silent must have frightened me. If I weren’t careful, perhaps I too would become frozen in place, like the seashore pine trees and the sandy beach, unable to move. Then I would have turned into a stone upon the shore, with the cold moonlight pouring down upon my head year after year after year.
When the boy finally meets another night traveller, the nature of the dream will become clear, his longing given a name.
“The moon weeps, and its tears fall on my cheeks. Look up – see how the moon is weeping!”
Sorrows of a Heretic
When there’s so much beauty in dreams and in the sky, why do I live in such a squalid world? Longing all the more for the phantom world he had just seen, Shozaburo was overwhelmed by a feeling of helplessness.
The second novella reminds me a bit of Dostoyevsky in the beginning, presenting us with the angst of a sensitive young student who lives in poverty, still in a house with his parents and ill sister in a rundown Tokyo neighborhood, Hatchobori.
Shozaburo feels persecuted by fate, expressing his insecurities in sudden attacks of rage and rebellion against his parents, and even resentment at the attention his dying sister receives. He also displays his lack of integrity and seriousness with his colleagues, borrowing money without paying back, telling lies and posing as a devil-may-care cynic.
Shozaburo feared that he would have gone mad and died long ago if he’d not been able to glimpse the sky through the room’s only window. It was unbelievable that this could be the dwelling of an advanced creature who prided itself on being the master of all creation.
Unable to communicate with his peers or with his family, Shozaburo seeks refuge in traditional music on a stolen gramophone, reading modern authors [Time and Free Will by Henri Bergson] and complaining that he is some sort of unrecognised genius. He would be a completely unpleasant lead character, but for some signs of remorse, of being aware what sort of scoundrel, of lowlife he has become.
The blind instinct that made him love the spot where he’d been born and the house in which he’d grown up always lurked somewhere in his heart and calmed the hot blood that sought to drive him out the door into a life of wandering.
Can this young man be redeemed? In a late reveal, just as in the first story, Tanizaki pulls back the curtain and hints at some autobiographical elements in the tale: young Shozaburo becomes a writer...
His was a sweet, aromatic art that drew its material from the strange nightmares fermenting in his brain.
The Story of an Unhappy Mother
The third and last novella looks once more at family relations, this time in a more affluent household, where the widowed mother tries to keep her children by her side by feigning imaginary illnesses, testing time and time again their devotion to traditional values.
One of the younger siblings, the narrator, feels she is taking advantage of their love, but the older brother, already an university graduate and successful in his own business, wants to do everything he can to protect her, unconditionally.
Yet, with a Mother constantly complaining that she is about to die and that her ungrateful children do not care enough, how much can you cling to tradition and respect for your elders? [see earlier spoiler]
So when I realized that Mother too would one day die, I felt unbearably sad. It was not only that I felt sorry for her – I sensed that this world itself is a terrible place.
There are early signs that this tale will have a tragic ending, and most of the story is built around the revelation of how such filial love can turn toxic, with all the best intentions in the world.
Of course, there’s a contrast between Mother’s old-fashioned habits and Fujiko’s up-to-date ones, but both of them are very sociable types.
I will not reveal the answer here, the only important thing to comment upon is that the crisis is the result of the older son getting married, doing his best to convince his mother to approve of his choice, and then watching helplessly as Fate turns it all into something poisonous.
>>><<<>>><<<
Tanizaki was very close to getting a Nobel Prize in literature late in his career, and I believe he would have deserved it. I intend to read his best known novel, The Makioka Sisters, which appears to be a longer study of the same themes presented in this too short collection.
October 18, 2024
Jun'ichirō Tanizaki’s short story Longing (Haha wo kouru ki, also (better) translated as Longing for my Mother), is a strange exploration of memory, nostalgia, and the impermanence of beauty, all central themes in much of Tanizaki's work. The dreamlike quality of the story, where the narrator searches for his mother in a moonlit landscape, holds a profound emotional cry for the comfort, security, and stability that she provided. His journey seems to reflect a deeper psychological need to return to a time when he felt safe and protected in her embrace, a time long lost but still alive in his subconscious.
Reading Longing, I also felt that the story served a perfect complement to Tanizaki’s essay In Praise of Shadows, where Tanizaki mourns the transition of traditional Japan into Western modernity, which lead to the loss of traditional Japanese aesthetics, particularly the interplay of light and shadow that is so central to Japanese art, architecture, and culture. By examining key passages from Longing in conjunction with In Praise of Shadows, it was interesting to see how Tanizaki uses themes of light, shadow, and memory to evoke a sense of longing for a world that is both personally and culturally slipping away.
Longing begins with the narrator, Jun’ichiro himself, walking through a moonlit landscape, filled with a sense of sadness and isolation. This lengthy moonlit scene immediately recalls Tanizaki’s reflections on light and shadow in In Praise of Shadows. The narrator’s journey takes place in the countryside, where Tanizaki contrasts the harsh, revealing light of modern electric lighting with the softer, more mysterious glow of candlelight or moonlight; it is the shadows and the dim light that allow beauty and emotion to emerge in a more profound way, compared to the harsh, poisoning sting of the electric lighting.
The theme of memory and longing is central to both Longing and In Praise of Shadows. In the story, the narrator reflects on his childhood in Nihombashi, a busy central area in Tokyo, and then his family’s subsequent move to the countryside, which marked a significant change in Junichiro's (the stories narrator), and also Tanizaki's (the author's) life. It is clear that the countryside, while peaceful and quiet, is also associated with a sense of loss and isolation. While the move to the countryside is a real event from Tanizaki's past, it also takes on symbolic meaning within the context of the story. In In Praise of Shadows, Tanizaki expresses a deep nostalgia for the past, for a time when Japanese life was defined by a slower, more contemplative pace, and when shadows were allowed to linger, creating an atmosphere of quiet beauty. The narrator’s memories of Nihombashi, contrasted with his life in the countryside, can reflect this same sense of nostalgia. The bustling streets of his childhood now seem distant and unreachable, much like the traditional Japanese aesthetics that Tanizaki fears are being lost to modernity.
One of the most notable passages in Longing occurs when the narrator encounters a mysterious woman who seems both real and ghostly. Her face is obscured by a sedge hat, and her skin is thickly covered in white makeup.
This description of shadows holds significant symbolic weight- the physical separation of their shadows mirrors the emotional distance between the narrator and the woman. Despite his proximity to her, she remains distant and unreachable, absorbed in her own world. Her pale, almost ghostlike appearance reinforces her otherworldly nature, suggesting that she may represent “a memory, a figure from the past, or even death itself.”
In In Praise of Shadows, Tanizaki reflects on how shadows create depth and mystery, allowing space for the imagination and for emotional nuance. In Longing, the shadows of the narrator and the woman serve a similar purpose- they are not just physical phenomena, but extensions of their identities and emotional states. The narrator’s attempt to align his shadow with hers is an effort to bridge the gap between them, but the shadows, despite being side by side, reinforce the idea that true connection remains elusive. This moment of alignment but emotional separation speaks to the broader themes of Longing, where the past, though deeply longed for, remains just out of reach, much like the beauty that Tanizaki finds in shadows- present, but always partially hidden.
Jun’ichro’s fixation on his mother throughout the story also points to an unresolved attachment. It’s clear that she represents more than just a figure of care- she embodies a sense of home, safety, and emotional fulfillment. His overwhelming grief at her loss and his deep desire to reconnect with her reflect this intense bond, and the fact that his journey culminates in a reunion with his mother in a dreamlike state makes me feel that his desire for her is not just a conscious longing but something deeply rooted in his emotional core. His need to find her, even after her death, speaks to this emotional attachment that he struggles to let go of- he is still grieving years later.
The woman’s heavily applied white makeup, which would likely appear garish or unnatural under electric light, takes on a different quality in the moonlight.
This transformation from something excessive and artificial to something beautiful and awe-inspiring is something else that seemed emblematic of the ideas Tanizaki explores in In Praise of Shadows. Tanizaki critiques the bright, revealing light of modernity for exposing too much, stripping away the subtlety and nuance that traditional Japanese aesthetics rely on. In dim lighting, imperfections are hidden, and beauty is found in the interplay of light and shadow.
As Longing progresses, the narrator’s journey becomes increasingly dreamlike, culminating in his reunion with his mother. This reunion, though initially joyful, takes on a bittersweet quality when the narrator realises that his mother has been dead for two years. The dreamlike nature of this encounter blurs the lines between reality and memory, reinforcing the idea that the past, while deeply longed for, remains elusive and unreachable. The narrator’s tears upon waking, and the wet pillow that reveals his deep sorrow, serve as a reminder of the emotional weight of memory. The fact that his journey culminates in a reunion with his mother in a dreamlike state makes me feel that his desire for her is not just a conscious longing but something deeply rooted in his emotional core. It feels like the dream is his way of fulfilling an unconscious wish to reunite with his mother, to reclaim the sense of safety and emotional grounding that she once gave him-
and we can see further evidence of this scattered thought the story. The samisen and the repeated phrase "Tempura is what I want" act as symbols of the narrator’s connection to his mother and his childhood…
(these are based on real events, as Tanizaki mentioned in his autobiography Childhood Years, based on his own childhood.)
The rhythmic repetition of the phrase, combined with the sound of the samisen, creates a comforting and familiar atmosphere, echoing the emotional warmth he associates with his mother. These memories, tied to sound and routine, are an anchor for him, even though they’re now unreachable in the present. The way the sound fades and blurs as the story progresses feels like a reflection of the narrator’s struggle to hold onto these memories, and perhaps to the feeling of home they once provided.
Ultimately, this journey through memory and dreams is not just about finding his mother, but about exploring the deep emotional wounds left by her absence. His longing for her isn’t just about grief- it’s about the unresolved desire to return to a sense of emotional safety, homeliness and connection that she provided.
The narrator’s journey, though dreamlike, reflects the universal human experience of longing for a world that has been lost, a world where shadows create depth and mystery, and where beauty is found in what is hidden or partially obscured. Just as Tanizaki laments the loss of traditional Japanese aesthetics in In Praise of Shadows, Longing serves as a meditation on the loss of the past and the inescapable passage of time, reminding us that true beauty lies in the moments that can never be fully captured.
Summary: Sigmund Freud would’ve enjoyed this
When Longing ended with “then I woke up” I almost got up and flipped the table because what the HELL after all of that. ALL OF THAT FOR WHAT??? In retrospect I understand and I think it’s beautiful and whatever but … there’s a reason they banned people ending stories with that in secondary school
update 20/9/23: I read this for uni and now I'm in a lecture about Tanizaki and I've discovered that longing was serialised in the Osaka Mainichi Shinbun and the Tokyo Nichinichi Shinbun from January to February 1919. making the ending even more unbelievable as I cant imagine a whole month with that suspense building up so slowly only to go "and it was all a dream!" in the last paragraph... although the japanese writing of this story does have a lot more hints from the very beginning that it's a dream or at least something unusual. i feel like the english translation goes out of it's way to keep it as secret as possible.
Reading Longing, I also felt that the story served a perfect complement to Tanizaki’s essay In Praise of Shadows, where Tanizaki mourns the transition of traditional Japan into Western modernity, which lead to the loss of traditional Japanese aesthetics, particularly the interplay of light and shadow that is so central to Japanese art, architecture, and culture. By examining key passages from Longing in conjunction with In Praise of Shadows, it was interesting to see how Tanizaki uses themes of light, shadow, and memory to evoke a sense of longing for a world that is both personally and culturally slipping away.
Longing begins with the narrator, Jun’ichiro himself, walking through a moonlit landscape, filled with a sense of sadness and isolation. This lengthy moonlit scene immediately recalls Tanizaki’s reflections on light and shadow in In Praise of Shadows. The narrator’s journey takes place in the countryside, where Tanizaki contrasts the harsh, revealing light of modern electric lighting with the softer, more mysterious glow of candlelight or moonlight; it is the shadows and the dim light that allow beauty and emotion to emerge in a more profound way, compared to the harsh, poisoning sting of the electric lighting.
The theme of memory and longing is central to both Longing and In Praise of Shadows. In the story, the narrator reflects on his childhood in Nihombashi, a busy central area in Tokyo, and then his family’s subsequent move to the countryside, which marked a significant change in Junichiro's (the stories narrator), and also Tanizaki's (the author's) life. It is clear that the countryside, while peaceful and quiet, is also associated with a sense of loss and isolation. While the move to the countryside is a real event from Tanizaki's past, it also takes on symbolic meaning within the context of the story. In In Praise of Shadows, Tanizaki expresses a deep nostalgia for the past, for a time when Japanese life was defined by a slower, more contemplative pace, and when shadows were allowed to linger, creating an atmosphere of quiet beauty. The narrator’s memories of Nihombashi, contrasted with his life in the countryside, can reflect this same sense of nostalgia. The bustling streets of his childhood now seem distant and unreachable, much like the traditional Japanese aesthetics that Tanizaki fears are being lost to modernity.
One of the most notable passages in Longing occurs when the narrator encounters a mysterious woman who seems both real and ghostly. Her face is obscured by a sedge hat, and her skin is thickly covered in white makeup.
"Her shadow was cast forward on the ground, just beyond my own. I was determined to move a little to one side. When I did so, my shadow promptly shifted away from her hip area and drew alongside her, our two shadows showing clearly on the road before us."
This description of shadows holds significant symbolic weight- the physical separation of their shadows mirrors the emotional distance between the narrator and the woman. Despite his proximity to her, she remains distant and unreachable, absorbed in her own world. Her pale, almost ghostlike appearance reinforces her otherworldly nature, suggesting that she may represent “a memory, a figure from the past, or even death itself.”
In In Praise of Shadows, Tanizaki reflects on how shadows create depth and mystery, allowing space for the imagination and for emotional nuance. In Longing, the shadows of the narrator and the woman serve a similar purpose- they are not just physical phenomena, but extensions of their identities and emotional states. The narrator’s attempt to align his shadow with hers is an effort to bridge the gap between them, but the shadows, despite being side by side, reinforce the idea that true connection remains elusive. This moment of alignment but emotional separation speaks to the broader themes of Longing, where the past, though deeply longed for, remains just out of reach, much like the beauty that Tanizaki finds in shadows- present, but always partially hidden.
Jun’ichro’s fixation on his mother throughout the story also points to an unresolved attachment. It’s clear that she represents more than just a figure of care- she embodies a sense of home, safety, and emotional fulfillment. His overwhelming grief at her loss and his deep desire to reconnect with her reflect this intense bond, and the fact that his journey culminates in a reunion with his mother in a dreamlike state makes me feel that his desire for her is not just a conscious longing but something deeply rooted in his emotional core. His need to find her, even after her death, speaks to this emotional attachment that he struggles to let go of- he is still grieving years later.
The woman’s heavily applied white makeup, which would likely appear garish or unnatural under electric light, takes on a different quality in the moonlight.
"Her face, with the heavy makeup of a voluptuously beautiful woman, seemed all the more mysterious, making the onlooker feel a kind of awe."
This transformation from something excessive and artificial to something beautiful and awe-inspiring is something else that seemed emblematic of the ideas Tanizaki explores in In Praise of Shadows. Tanizaki critiques the bright, revealing light of modernity for exposing too much, stripping away the subtlety and nuance that traditional Japanese aesthetics rely on. In dim lighting, imperfections are hidden, and beauty is found in the interplay of light and shadow.
As Longing progresses, the narrator’s journey becomes increasingly dreamlike, culminating in his reunion with his mother. This reunion, though initially joyful, takes on a bittersweet quality when the narrator realises that his mother has been dead for two years. The dreamlike nature of this encounter blurs the lines between reality and memory, reinforcing the idea that the past, while deeply longed for, remains elusive and unreachable. The narrator’s tears upon waking, and the wet pillow that reveals his deep sorrow, serve as a reminder of the emotional weight of memory. The fact that his journey culminates in a reunion with his mother in a dreamlike state makes me feel that his desire for her is not just a conscious longing but something deeply rooted in his emotional core. It feels like the dream is his way of fulfilling an unconscious wish to reunite with his mother, to reclaim the sense of safety and emotional grounding that she once gave him-
and we can see further evidence of this scattered thought the story. The samisen and the repeated phrase "Tempura is what I want" act as symbols of the narrator’s connection to his mother and his childhood…
(these are based on real events, as Tanizaki mentioned in his autobiography Childhood Years, based on his own childhood.)
The rhythmic repetition of the phrase, combined with the sound of the samisen, creates a comforting and familiar atmosphere, echoing the emotional warmth he associates with his mother. These memories, tied to sound and routine, are an anchor for him, even though they’re now unreachable in the present. The way the sound fades and blurs as the story progresses feels like a reflection of the narrator’s struggle to hold onto these memories, and perhaps to the feeling of home they once provided.
Ultimately, this journey through memory and dreams is not just about finding his mother, but about exploring the deep emotional wounds left by her absence. His longing for her isn’t just about grief- it’s about the unresolved desire to return to a sense of emotional safety, homeliness and connection that she provided.
The narrator’s journey, though dreamlike, reflects the universal human experience of longing for a world that has been lost, a world where shadows create depth and mystery, and where beauty is found in what is hidden or partially obscured. Just as Tanizaki laments the loss of traditional Japanese aesthetics in In Praise of Shadows, Longing serves as a meditation on the loss of the past and the inescapable passage of time, reminding us that true beauty lies in the moments that can never be fully captured.
Summary: Sigmund Freud would’ve enjoyed this
When Longing ended with “then I woke up” I almost got up and flipped the table because what the HELL after all of that. ALL OF THAT FOR WHAT??? In retrospect I understand and I think it’s beautiful and whatever but … there’s a reason they banned people ending stories with that in secondary school
update 20/9/23: I read this for uni and now I'm in a lecture about Tanizaki and I've discovered that longing was serialised in the Osaka Mainichi Shinbun and the Tokyo Nichinichi Shinbun from January to February 1919. making the ending even more unbelievable as I cant imagine a whole month with that suspense building up so slowly only to go "and it was all a dream!" in the last paragraph... although the japanese writing of this story does have a lot more hints from the very beginning that it's a dream or at least something unusual. i feel like the english translation goes out of it's way to keep it as secret as possible.
January 17, 2022
This is a collection of three stories by Tanizaki, which were published relatively earlier in his career between 1917 and 1921. Maybe that's why you can as a reader sense the jagged edges, and perhaps that's one of the reasons this collection is highly satisfying as well. The stories are set in early 20th century, and all focus on the mother-son bond - its complexities and also exploring the subtlety of relationships using different styles, which were also used in his later works.
The book starts with the title story “Longing” – a story that is extremely poetic and possesses a dream-like quality. It seems to read quite simply – that of a young boy walking alone along a dark coastal road, recalling events, in search of something, constantly being played by the light and the darkness, along with eerie shadows and the atmosphere of dread, till it becomes clear what it really is.
Tanizaki’s style is out there for all to see – the playfulness, the sudden revelations, the vague memories of childhood he brings to fore – and in all of this the element of some unreliability which works in a most out of the blue manner, fitting in rather perfectly.
The second story “Sorrows of a Heretic” is about the protagonist Shōzaburo almost wasting away his life – living the life of depravity. In this story, I saw Tokyo being brought to life and seeing it in a point of time that was so different and unique. We don’t feel much for Shōzaburo but there is some feeling of sentimentality. Tanizaki gives his characters that from the readers.
In the final story “The Story of an Unhappy Mother”, the narrator Hiroshi is one of the five children in a family that talks about his family, more so his mother. Tanizaki paints a picture so vivid about the mother – her flaws, her mistakes, and her misgivings. Again, the relationship of the mother and child is told with great nuance and care.
The translations by Anthony Chambers and Paul McCarthy are on-point at almost every single page. Once again, the translators when it comes to a Tanizaki work have managed to communicate the sparseness of prose, the details when required, the elegance of Tanizaki’s descriptions, and in turn highlighting different aspects of Tanizaki’s writing.
“Longing and other stories” is a collection that is wholesome, intriguing, and speaks of lives that are lived on the border of imagination and reality. A must-read collection in my opinion.
The book starts with the title story “Longing” – a story that is extremely poetic and possesses a dream-like quality. It seems to read quite simply – that of a young boy walking alone along a dark coastal road, recalling events, in search of something, constantly being played by the light and the darkness, along with eerie shadows and the atmosphere of dread, till it becomes clear what it really is.
Tanizaki’s style is out there for all to see – the playfulness, the sudden revelations, the vague memories of childhood he brings to fore – and in all of this the element of some unreliability which works in a most out of the blue manner, fitting in rather perfectly.
The second story “Sorrows of a Heretic” is about the protagonist Shōzaburo almost wasting away his life – living the life of depravity. In this story, I saw Tokyo being brought to life and seeing it in a point of time that was so different and unique. We don’t feel much for Shōzaburo but there is some feeling of sentimentality. Tanizaki gives his characters that from the readers.
In the final story “The Story of an Unhappy Mother”, the narrator Hiroshi is one of the five children in a family that talks about his family, more so his mother. Tanizaki paints a picture so vivid about the mother – her flaws, her mistakes, and her misgivings. Again, the relationship of the mother and child is told with great nuance and care.
The translations by Anthony Chambers and Paul McCarthy are on-point at almost every single page. Once again, the translators when it comes to a Tanizaki work have managed to communicate the sparseness of prose, the details when required, the elegance of Tanizaki’s descriptions, and in turn highlighting different aspects of Tanizaki’s writing.
“Longing and other stories” is a collection that is wholesome, intriguing, and speaks of lives that are lived on the border of imagination and reality. A must-read collection in my opinion.
January 14, 2022
Review updated (14 January 2022)
Firstly, I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
TW: suicide, deception, grief
This is my first time reading anything by Tanizaki and I actually like his storytelling. This is a collection of three short stories and they revolve around family relationship, longing, and also loneliness. I will give brief review for each stories as they revolved around the same topics but explored different relationships very clearly in such complex ways.
1. Longing - this depicted relationship between mother and son in a sense its about a son who missed his mother. The story was told in sort of dreamlike state, poetic prose, lyrical and metaphorical sentences to convey the longing of the narrator towards his mother. Its such a beautiful piece that requires your attention to be directed to the story and to immerse yourself in the narrative as we try to understand the situation as we read. I find this one beautiful yet complex. In the end, we get why the story was written this way and I found that very enchanting.
2. Sorrows of Heretics - this is about family relationship between father and son, younger sister and elder brother and also mother and son. Shozaburo, the elder son in this story was insufferable and I found him to be really miserable but once we see he start to spiral into anxiety and depression due to his own circumstances, I start to feel pity towards him. His family wasn't well off, they lived in the back alley and he had an invalid younger sister who stayed at home unable to move and will die anytime soon. The father and son both have a strained relationship and it doesn't help that both aren't able to communicate properly with each other which makes it worse. This felt personal as I read on the afterword and showcased deeper meaning behind the story.
3. Story of an Unhappy Mother - mother and her children and the daughter in law. This was written in a point of view of our narrator who retell the story that happened between his mother and his older brother and sister-in-law. It was interesting to read because we see how his mother who became afraid of death and who have a sensitive soul always felt like she needs protection and attention from her children. Then, something happened during a trip with her elder son and her daughter-in-law that caused her to resent him and this was vaguely mentioned but not until the end we get to know why she acted that way and it was understandable and heartbreaking. I really like this one.
Definitely will be looking forward to read more from him
Firstly, I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
TW: suicide, deception, grief
This is my first time reading anything by Tanizaki and I actually like his storytelling. This is a collection of three short stories and they revolve around family relationship, longing, and also loneliness. I will give brief review for each stories as they revolved around the same topics but explored different relationships very clearly in such complex ways.
1. Longing - this depicted relationship between mother and son in a sense its about a son who missed his mother. The story was told in sort of dreamlike state, poetic prose, lyrical and metaphorical sentences to convey the longing of the narrator towards his mother. Its such a beautiful piece that requires your attention to be directed to the story and to immerse yourself in the narrative as we try to understand the situation as we read. I find this one beautiful yet complex. In the end, we get why the story was written this way and I found that very enchanting.
2. Sorrows of Heretics - this is about family relationship between father and son, younger sister and elder brother and also mother and son. Shozaburo, the elder son in this story was insufferable and I found him to be really miserable but once we see he start to spiral into anxiety and depression due to his own circumstances, I start to feel pity towards him. His family wasn't well off, they lived in the back alley and he had an invalid younger sister who stayed at home unable to move and will die anytime soon. The father and son both have a strained relationship and it doesn't help that both aren't able to communicate properly with each other which makes it worse. This felt personal as I read on the afterword and showcased deeper meaning behind the story.
3. Story of an Unhappy Mother - mother and her children and the daughter in law. This was written in a point of view of our narrator who retell the story that happened between his mother and his older brother and sister-in-law. It was interesting to read because we see how his mother who became afraid of death and who have a sensitive soul always felt like she needs protection and attention from her children. Then, something happened during a trip with her elder son and her daughter-in-law that caused her to resent him and this was vaguely mentioned but not until the end we get to know why she acted that way and it was understandable and heartbreaking. I really like this one.
Definitely will be looking forward to read more from him
September 2, 2021
I wasn't expecting to love this book, but I was deeply drawn to it.
When I was an undergraduate, our modern Japanese literature class had something horrible in store for everyone. There was Ōe Kenzaburō's "A Personal Matter", dealing with a man who was trying hard to kill his newborn son without getting blood on his hands, while drinking his life away; there was Yasunari Kawabata's "Sleeping Beauties", about a brothel where old, impotent men go to spend the night by the side of drugged women; there were more.
One by one, each of the students in that class has a breakdown. My breaking point was reached when reading Tanizaki's "The Children", which dealt with the emergence of sexuality and sexual sadism. It wasn't graphic, if I recall correctly. It was probably a good story. But it was a tough semester, and it was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back.
It's funny, because I've gone back to most of the authors on that list and it's become quite clear that Ōe Kenzaburō is the one I'm happiest without.
Tanizaki, though. I never dared read him again, until now.
The volume opens with "Longing", the story of a young boy from an impoverished, formerly rich family. It's night, and the boy walks down a long road, counting telegraph poles. But even as he does so, it becomes apparent that there's a disconnect between a child's mind and the narrator's voice; the story is told by an adult remembering that night with delicacy, a fine eye for detail and a poet's spirit.
There's something supernatural and slightly terrible about the child walking close to the seaside on a seemingly timeless journey, meeting two women: one, an unpleasant crone who shuns him, the other a beautiful young woman playing a samisen. It's an enchanting story, delightful, a bit terrifying, and very beautiful.
The second story in the volume is "Sorrows of a Heretic", and the tone is shockingly different. A young man, a student from a poor family, supported by richer relatives to remain in university, leads a dissolute life. He borrows money from friends to spend on geishas and other pleasures, he skips classes, drinks to escape his anxieties (becoming such an alcoholic that at one point he drinks the cooking sake).
He's a rascal, thoughtless, careless, but as we get to know him, he becomes almost relatable in his fears.
I thought I was reminded of Dostoevsky because I had him on my mind lately, but it turns out - I'm not the only one seeing the resemblance.
The third and final story of the volume is "The Story of an Unhappy Mother". Another change of tone; and I'm more ambivalent towards this particular story.
The narrator is a younger brother, talking about his mother: a woman who is young at heart, full of life, yet terrified of death, and very proud of the regard her children show her. When the older brother wishes to marry, he has to 'trick' her into thinking she chose the bride. Everything seems to proceed happily until a seemingly harmless accident happens. The moral implications of that accident, however, lead to the long, slow mental torture and eventual death of both mother and older son.
The younger brother telling the story seems to be constantly apologizing on behalf of those involved in it. The blame cannot lie with the mother; it cannot lie with the older son. It's almost a tragedy in the ancient sense of the word, of a powerful collision between the forces of fate. It could not have been foreseen, but the younger son feels it might have been stopped if the younger children had put their foot down and been more sensible at just the right time.
What really makes me round up the rating to 5 stars is the afterword. First of all, I love that it's an afterword, as it discusses plot points and more. Tanizaki's stories really stand on their own and I loved them, and the afterword enhances that by throwing a new perspective over them: are they in any way based on Tanizaki's life? What are their influences?
It draws attention to traditional elements, to the tension between older generations and newer generations in early 20th century Japan (that might not be evident to a Western reader), to Western ideas that permeated Tanizaki's work. It's the best type of afterword: non-intrusive, broadening interpretations rather than narrowing them down, informing without overwhelming.
And the translations are simply lovely. My Japanese is, alas, not up to the task of even trying to read these stories in the original, but their rendition in English was beautiful and enchanting.
Many thanks to Columbia University Press and NetGalley for offering an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When I was an undergraduate, our modern Japanese literature class had something horrible in store for everyone. There was Ōe Kenzaburō's "A Personal Matter", dealing with a man who was trying hard to kill his newborn son without getting blood on his hands, while drinking his life away; there was Yasunari Kawabata's "Sleeping Beauties", about a brothel where old, impotent men go to spend the night by the side of drugged women; there were more.
One by one, each of the students in that class has a breakdown. My breaking point was reached when reading Tanizaki's "The Children", which dealt with the emergence of sexuality and sexual sadism. It wasn't graphic, if I recall correctly. It was probably a good story. But it was a tough semester, and it was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back.
It's funny, because I've gone back to most of the authors on that list and it's become quite clear that Ōe Kenzaburō is the one I'm happiest without.
Tanizaki, though. I never dared read him again, until now.
The volume opens with "Longing", the story of a young boy from an impoverished, formerly rich family. It's night, and the boy walks down a long road, counting telegraph poles. But even as he does so, it becomes apparent that there's a disconnect between a child's mind and the narrator's voice; the story is told by an adult remembering that night with delicacy, a fine eye for detail and a poet's spirit.
There's something supernatural and slightly terrible about the child walking close to the seaside on a seemingly timeless journey, meeting two women: one, an unpleasant crone who shuns him, the other a beautiful young woman playing a samisen. It's an enchanting story, delightful, a bit terrifying, and very beautiful.
The second story in the volume is "Sorrows of a Heretic", and the tone is shockingly different. A young man, a student from a poor family, supported by richer relatives to remain in university, leads a dissolute life. He borrows money from friends to spend on geishas and other pleasures, he skips classes, drinks to escape his anxieties (becoming such an alcoholic that at one point he drinks the cooking sake).
He's a rascal, thoughtless, careless, but as we get to know him, he becomes almost relatable in his fears.
I thought I was reminded of Dostoevsky because I had him on my mind lately, but it turns out - I'm not the only one seeing the resemblance.
The third and final story of the volume is "The Story of an Unhappy Mother". Another change of tone; and I'm more ambivalent towards this particular story.
The narrator is a younger brother, talking about his mother: a woman who is young at heart, full of life, yet terrified of death, and very proud of the regard her children show her. When the older brother wishes to marry, he has to 'trick' her into thinking she chose the bride. Everything seems to proceed happily until a seemingly harmless accident happens. The moral implications of that accident, however, lead to the long, slow mental torture and eventual death of both mother and older son.
The younger brother telling the story seems to be constantly apologizing on behalf of those involved in it. The blame cannot lie with the mother; it cannot lie with the older son. It's almost a tragedy in the ancient sense of the word, of a powerful collision between the forces of fate. It could not have been foreseen, but the younger son feels it might have been stopped if the younger children had put their foot down and been more sensible at just the right time.
What really makes me round up the rating to 5 stars is the afterword. First of all, I love that it's an afterword, as it discusses plot points and more. Tanizaki's stories really stand on their own and I loved them, and the afterword enhances that by throwing a new perspective over them: are they in any way based on Tanizaki's life? What are their influences?
It draws attention to traditional elements, to the tension between older generations and newer generations in early 20th century Japan (that might not be evident to a Western reader), to Western ideas that permeated Tanizaki's work. It's the best type of afterword: non-intrusive, broadening interpretations rather than narrowing them down, informing without overwhelming.
And the translations are simply lovely. My Japanese is, alas, not up to the task of even trying to read these stories in the original, but their rendition in English was beautiful and enchanting.
Many thanks to Columbia University Press and NetGalley for offering an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2022
There are three stories to this collection by Junichiro Tanizaki, all of them focused on a son’s relationship with his mother. While I enjoyed the stories, none of them really drew me in or impressed me- they were more just a pleasant way to pass the time. I did appreciate the prose- clear and spare, as is often the case with Japanese literature. There’s also plenty of longing to lick a lady’s foot, the sun being compared to the breath of a drunken whore, and the sweet fragrance of breasts- if you’re into that sort of thing. Those with an Oedipus complex, rejoice. 🥳
Anywaaaay- The notes at the end which connected the three stories to the author’s life were a nice touch, as I think without them this would have been a far weaker collection. I would recommend these short stories to fans of the author, but I have a feeling that one of his more popular novels might be a better place to start. It remains to be seen whether I will pick up another book by Tanizaki in the future, but I might start with The Key, as it sounds like there might be a fragrant bosom or two tucked within its pages…
I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Anywaaaay- The notes at the end which connected the three stories to the author’s life were a nice touch, as I think without them this would have been a far weaker collection. I would recommend these short stories to fans of the author, but I have a feeling that one of his more popular novels might be a better place to start. It remains to be seen whether I will pick up another book by Tanizaki in the future, but I might start with The Key, as it sounds like there might be a fragrant bosom or two tucked within its pages…
I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2022
Review in English | Reseña en Español
I am already familiar with the work of Jun'ichirō Tanizaki and I must say I found it difficult to connect with some of his previous stories. However, this book includes an exquisite selection of three great short stories by the Japanese author which show his skill and talent as a cluded.
The first story is Longing, a tale of a boy/man looking for someone and going through different landscapes and people. The atmosphere of the story is very oppressing and I at times I felt a bit scared. It is easy to realize that the narrator is probably dreaming, and in his dreams, he feels terribly lonely while his emotions are accompanied by an ever-changing landscape, which increase his feelings of solitude. At first, I found it hard to get invested in the story because it is a bit too much into the “stream of consciousness vibe” (of which I am not a fan of) but the end is truly touching and all the literary elements make sense in the overall story.
Sorrows of a Heretic is the story of a young man, Shobozuo, who is idle and becomes an embarrassment to his family, which has fallen into poverty. Shobozuo thinks he is better than anyone else and despises almost everyone around him, thinking his too good for everyone and everything -his parents, his sister, lovers, university. I really disliked him but that’s the magic of Tanizaki’s pen -regarding how unlikable the character is, one can easily understand his personality, the conflicts within his family, and some potential redeeming qualities for his future. I’d note that the last section of the book which includes some final notes sheds an interesting light on this story, as it explains how the author includes elements of the changing political and cultural changes in Japan at that time.
The Story of an Unhappy Mother was the strongest story for me: a sort of psychological thriller, with a convincing plot line, because of its closeness to reality. In truth, this is a scary story because it depicts the unhealthy relationships parents and children can have. The afterword also sheds light on the relevant points of the story as it depicts changing values on the Japanese society of the time and the struggle between Confucianism values and a modern society.
___
He leído a Tanizaki antes y no había logrado hacer click. Sin embargo, las historias incluidas en esta colección me permitieron entender la obra de este autor. He de confesar que muchos de los temas de la literatura japonesa me resultan muy densos y, por ello, me resulta difícil disfrutar completamente la historia, pero esto es un tema de mero gusto personal. Sin embargo, a reserva de la primera historia del libro, que es más como una reflexión-ensoñación-pesadilla, las siguientes dos historias me parecieron fascinantes: con personajes poco agradables (un joven universitario que cree que nadie lo merece ni lo entiende y una madre obsesionada con el honor y respeto que sus hijos le deben), el autor logra retratar no solo a personas sino a una sociedad en decadencia, mezclando elementos de thrillers psicológico y un contexto cultural e histórico cambiante. Desconozco si los tres cuentos de la colección están traducidos al español, pero para referencia, son: Longing, Sorrows of a Heretic and The Tale of the Unhappy Mother. Recomendadísimos.
I am already familiar with the work of Jun'ichirō Tanizaki and I must say I found it difficult to connect with some of his previous stories. However, this book includes an exquisite selection of three great short stories by the Japanese author which show his skill and talent as a cluded.
The first story is Longing, a tale of a boy/man looking for someone and going through different landscapes and people. The atmosphere of the story is very oppressing and I at times I felt a bit scared. It is easy to realize that the narrator is probably dreaming, and in his dreams, he feels terribly lonely while his emotions are accompanied by an ever-changing landscape, which increase his feelings of solitude. At first, I found it hard to get invested in the story because it is a bit too much into the “stream of consciousness vibe” (of which I am not a fan of) but the end is truly touching and all the literary elements make sense in the overall story.
Sorrows of a Heretic is the story of a young man, Shobozuo, who is idle and becomes an embarrassment to his family, which has fallen into poverty. Shobozuo thinks he is better than anyone else and despises almost everyone around him, thinking his too good for everyone and everything -his parents, his sister, lovers, university. I really disliked him but that’s the magic of Tanizaki’s pen -regarding how unlikable the character is, one can easily understand his personality, the conflicts within his family, and some potential redeeming qualities for his future. I’d note that the last section of the book which includes some final notes sheds an interesting light on this story, as it explains how the author includes elements of the changing political and cultural changes in Japan at that time.
The Story of an Unhappy Mother was the strongest story for me: a sort of psychological thriller, with a convincing plot line, because of its closeness to reality. In truth, this is a scary story because it depicts the unhealthy relationships parents and children can have. The afterword also sheds light on the relevant points of the story as it depicts changing values on the Japanese society of the time and the struggle between Confucianism values and a modern society.
___
He leído a Tanizaki antes y no había logrado hacer click. Sin embargo, las historias incluidas en esta colección me permitieron entender la obra de este autor. He de confesar que muchos de los temas de la literatura japonesa me resultan muy densos y, por ello, me resulta difícil disfrutar completamente la historia, pero esto es un tema de mero gusto personal. Sin embargo, a reserva de la primera historia del libro, que es más como una reflexión-ensoñación-pesadilla, las siguientes dos historias me parecieron fascinantes: con personajes poco agradables (un joven universitario que cree que nadie lo merece ni lo entiende y una madre obsesionada con el honor y respeto que sus hijos le deben), el autor logra retratar no solo a personas sino a una sociedad en decadencia, mezclando elementos de thrillers psicológico y un contexto cultural e histórico cambiante. Desconozco si los tres cuentos de la colección están traducidos al español, pero para referencia, son: Longing, Sorrows of a Heretic and The Tale of the Unhappy Mother. Recomendadísimos.
January 29, 2022
I chanced upon Longing and Other Stories when I was browsing NetGalley and since I like Japanese culture (this might be a bit of an understatement), I decided to request this book! I’ve not read anything by Jun’ichiro Tanizaki before, so this evocative work was an interesting experience for me.
Longing and Other Stories is a collection of three stories:
Longing – This might have been the titular story, but it was also my least favourite of the three. It’s basically about a boy taking a long, strange journey home. While the story is very atmospheric, the ending is one that, I feel, negates the journey because it’s so cliched.
Sorrows of a Heretic – According to the afterword, this is a semi-autobiographical story, but the narrator-protagonist is supposed to be more unlikeable than Tanizaki actually was. I don’t really know how much exaggeration there was, but the protagonist is extremely unlikeable – he’s arrogant, lazy, financially irresponsible, and he has no sympathy for his dying sister. He’s someone who basically lives for himself.
The ending here is interesting: originally, I really disliked the final paragraph because I didn’t think it connected to the story very well and it just reminded me of the disappointing ending of Longing. But, I read in the afterword that Tanizaki actually ended up deleting that paragraph, but they translated it so you could see the author’s original intention. I definitely agree with the deletion and I think the story was stronger when it ended one paragraph earlier.
The Story of an Unhappy Mother – This was my favourite story of the three, although it features another unlikeable protagonist. This time, the narrator is a younger son who is recounting the story of his mother and how she changed from a self-centred but cheerful and charming widow to a woman filled with sorrow and who passively punishes one of her children by withholding affection. It’s a fascinating exploration of family dynamics, and I actually enjoyed the ending, which hints at the possibility of the supernatural haunting (no spoilers but I’ll say that it reminded me of the Aoi chapter in Genji).
Overall, this was an interesting trio of stories that explore the human character. I had a bit of a rough start with this book, since I wasn’t fond of the first story, but now that I’ve finished, I would be interested in reading more from Tanizaki.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
Longing and Other Stories is a collection of three stories:
Longing – This might have been the titular story, but it was also my least favourite of the three. It’s basically about a boy taking a long, strange journey home. While the story is very atmospheric, the ending is one that, I feel, negates the journey because it’s so cliched.
Sorrows of a Heretic – According to the afterword, this is a semi-autobiographical story, but the narrator-protagonist is supposed to be more unlikeable than Tanizaki actually was. I don’t really know how much exaggeration there was, but the protagonist is extremely unlikeable – he’s arrogant, lazy, financially irresponsible, and he has no sympathy for his dying sister. He’s someone who basically lives for himself.
The ending here is interesting: originally, I really disliked the final paragraph because I didn’t think it connected to the story very well and it just reminded me of the disappointing ending of Longing. But, I read in the afterword that Tanizaki actually ended up deleting that paragraph, but they translated it so you could see the author’s original intention. I definitely agree with the deletion and I think the story was stronger when it ended one paragraph earlier.
The Story of an Unhappy Mother – This was my favourite story of the three, although it features another unlikeable protagonist. This time, the narrator is a younger son who is recounting the story of his mother and how she changed from a self-centred but cheerful and charming widow to a woman filled with sorrow and who passively punishes one of her children by withholding affection. It’s a fascinating exploration of family dynamics, and I actually enjoyed the ending, which hints at the possibility of the supernatural haunting (no spoilers but I’ll say that it reminded me of the Aoi chapter in Genji).
Overall, this was an interesting trio of stories that explore the human character. I had a bit of a rough start with this book, since I wasn’t fond of the first story, but now that I’ve finished, I would be interested in reading more from Tanizaki.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
January 1, 2022
Longing and Other Stories by Junichiro Tanizaki, translated from the Japanese by Anthony H.Chambers and Paul McCarthy, is a collection of three longish short stories by Tanizaki written in the first decade of his career.
.....
Longing is a story of a little boy in search of his mother, replete with vivid and eerie visuals of the night landscape as the child walks along the shadows cast by the pine trees, the smell of the ocean and the two women he encounters on the way. A lyrical and fantastical story with an ending you don't see coming.
.....
Sorrows of a Heretic is about the complex relationship a university student shares with his parents and his terminaly ill sister. He is bogged down by poverty and his family's circumstances, pulled between the old Japanese and the new modern era cultural conflicts and constantly battling his moral ambiguity. A very realistic depiction of the familial ties where the ending is also yet another beginning in the protagonist's journey of life.
.....
The Story of an Unhappy Mother is a dramatic narration of an adult son and mother's relationship taking a hit with the daughter-in-law coming into their lives. What transpires for the relationship to reach the dead end and the emotional and the moral tussle of the son battling the familial hierarchy of the Japanese culture as against his own thoughts forms the crux of this story.
.....
The three stories are essentially about family life, particularly about the changing mother son relationships at different stages of the son's lives. Common themes yet all three stories are so different in their tone, structure and genre only exemplifying the mastery of Tanizaki's writing and keen observation of the family life. The first two stories are said to be in large parts autobiographical and hence one can see the depth of emotions and character study in them. The stories, all of them rather melancholic and grim leave you thoughtful.
.....
The translators' afterword is an extensive note and very informative one at that, giving you a detailed context to the stories as well as Tanizaki's writing over the years. It's a section that I thoroughly enjoyed reading as much as I did the book.
.....
Thank you #netgalley and #columbiauniversitypress for the eARC of the book. If you are a Tanizaki fan then this is a good collection of his early works to dive into.
.....
Longing is a story of a little boy in search of his mother, replete with vivid and eerie visuals of the night landscape as the child walks along the shadows cast by the pine trees, the smell of the ocean and the two women he encounters on the way. A lyrical and fantastical story with an ending you don't see coming.
.....
Sorrows of a Heretic is about the complex relationship a university student shares with his parents and his terminaly ill sister. He is bogged down by poverty and his family's circumstances, pulled between the old Japanese and the new modern era cultural conflicts and constantly battling his moral ambiguity. A very realistic depiction of the familial ties where the ending is also yet another beginning in the protagonist's journey of life.
.....
The Story of an Unhappy Mother is a dramatic narration of an adult son and mother's relationship taking a hit with the daughter-in-law coming into their lives. What transpires for the relationship to reach the dead end and the emotional and the moral tussle of the son battling the familial hierarchy of the Japanese culture as against his own thoughts forms the crux of this story.
.....
The three stories are essentially about family life, particularly about the changing mother son relationships at different stages of the son's lives. Common themes yet all three stories are so different in their tone, structure and genre only exemplifying the mastery of Tanizaki's writing and keen observation of the family life. The first two stories are said to be in large parts autobiographical and hence one can see the depth of emotions and character study in them. The stories, all of them rather melancholic and grim leave you thoughtful.
.....
The translators' afterword is an extensive note and very informative one at that, giving you a detailed context to the stories as well as Tanizaki's writing over the years. It's a section that I thoroughly enjoyed reading as much as I did the book.
.....
Thank you #netgalley and #columbiauniversitypress for the eARC of the book. If you are a Tanizaki fan then this is a good collection of his early works to dive into.
November 1, 2021
Three stories about mother and son relationships by an author I've long been meaning to try. They are said to be based on the authors own life, but they clearly aren't strictly autobiographical because the details from each story don't match up.
The first story, (my favourite), is about a young boy longing for his mother. The writing in this one was beautiful and it has an achingly sad, dreamlike quality to it. 4*
In the next one, we have a student who is a thoroughly disposable character at odds with his family, who he holds in disdain. This was the longest, which was unfortunate because it was the one I liked the least. I just couldn't relate at all to the character.
The third one was interesting, this time it was the mother who is rather self centred, and problems arise in the family when the eldest son brings home a bride.
Overall, I did enjoy them, though it took me some time to get to the last story after reading that second one. I will keep an eye out for more of his novels, mainly on the strength of the first one.
*Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a review copy in exchange for an honest opinion*
The first story, (my favourite), is about a young boy longing for his mother. The writing in this one was beautiful and it has an achingly sad, dreamlike quality to it. 4*
In the next one, we have a student who is a thoroughly disposable character at odds with his family, who he holds in disdain. This was the longest, which was unfortunate because it was the one I liked the least. I just couldn't relate at all to the character.
The third one was interesting, this time it was the mother who is rather self centred, and problems arise in the family when the eldest son brings home a bride.
Overall, I did enjoy them, though it took me some time to get to the last story after reading that second one. I will keep an eye out for more of his novels, mainly on the strength of the first one.
*Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a review copy in exchange for an honest opinion*
September 15, 2021
This book was fun to read. Tanizaki's narration is unique and moves in a winding pattern through the lives of his characters. And I am glad that this translated edition exists, because if it didn't, I would be missing out on some very interesting stories.
All three stories in this collection are centred around familial ties and relationships (especially around ties between mother and son), but has varying perspectives about the same. Japanese culture, the influence Confucianism has on it and the struggle of the younger (modern) generation to overcome it are some themes that speak to the reader while perusing these stories.
The usual brokenness and abrupt ending to dialogues when a work is translated does not make an appearance in this edition, which definitely is a credit to the translators. I am extremely grateful for the Translator's Afterword too, since it enlightened me about Tanizaki's style and life.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in return of an honest review.
All three stories in this collection are centred around familial ties and relationships (especially around ties between mother and son), but has varying perspectives about the same. Japanese culture, the influence Confucianism has on it and the struggle of the younger (modern) generation to overcome it are some themes that speak to the reader while perusing these stories.
The usual brokenness and abrupt ending to dialogues when a work is translated does not make an appearance in this edition, which definitely is a credit to the translators. I am extremely grateful for the Translator's Afterword too, since it enlightened me about Tanizaki's style and life.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in return of an honest review.
January 31, 2022
Newly translated stories, including one nearly novella-length, written by Tanizaki when he was in his early 30s and the mastery that would emerge is evident, even if these stories did not grip me. Very different writing styles are on display, the attention to language and detail one expects, as well as masterful character voices, each haunting and involving filial duty, relationships between sons and mothers, searches for mothers in a sense. Tonally they range from the dreaminess of "Longing" to the grittier "Sorrows of a Heretic," and "The Story of an Unhappy Mother" falls somewhere in between. From the brief other reading I've done when I finished the stories, there is much of Tanizaki's own life and desires contained within. For those who have not yet read any Tanizaki, I wouldn't suggest beginning with these stories, but rather with any of these: The Makioka Sisters, Naomi, The Diary of a Mad Old Man, The Key, The Maids, Quicksand.
September 12, 2024
4.5/5
this novel is beautiful. the stories interconnect through the sole feeling of regret and deep profound self reflection.
the three stories "longing" "sorrows of a heretic" and "the story of an unhappy mother" [shown in that order] tell the tale of a young man's life. when read chronologically, you actually find that the story of a young man (Jun'ichiro Tanizaki) is told backwards. though sprinkled with bits of misogyny here and there, Juni'ichiro Tanizaki is able to create the humble image of a plain man's life who experiences loss, steretypical narcissism and self perceived god-like elevation, and pure humanistic desire. feelings and perspectives of a man dealing with regrets and guilt of his past life are told in almost third person snapshots/vingnettes.
ranking the three stories my favorites in order are: "the story of an unhappy mother", "longing" and "sorrows of a heretic".
this novel is beautiful. the stories interconnect through the sole feeling of regret and deep profound self reflection.
the three stories "longing" "sorrows of a heretic" and "the story of an unhappy mother" [shown in that order] tell the tale of a young man's life. when read chronologically, you actually find that the story of a young man (Jun'ichiro Tanizaki) is told backwards. though sprinkled with bits of misogyny here and there, Juni'ichiro Tanizaki is able to create the humble image of a plain man's life who experiences loss, steretypical narcissism and self perceived god-like elevation, and pure humanistic desire. feelings and perspectives of a man dealing with regrets and guilt of his past life are told in almost third person snapshots/vingnettes.
ranking the three stories my favorites in order are: "the story of an unhappy mother", "longing" and "sorrows of a heretic".
July 27, 2021
Longing and Other Stories is my first time reading Tanizaki, and on the basis of this short story collection, I would definitely like to read some of his novels in the future. All three stories had something interesting to offer, not least in their varied styles, taking us from romantic, fantasy-tinged lyricism to gritty realism and then to a kind of morality tale that assessed changing family values due to the advent of Westernisation. Although I enjoyed all three stories, I think the first, 'Longing', was my favourite, as I loved its beautiful descriptive language and the wonderful atmosphere Tanizaki created. If you are a fan of early 20th century Japanese literature, I can highly recommend giving these stories a read. This book gets 5 stars from me.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2021
Thank you Netgalley for the e - ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is one of the most valuable pieces of translated fiction available to us and I'm so glad that I have had the chance to read it! Jun'ichirō Tanizaki puts mother-son relationships under a microscope over the span of three poignant short stories. I am awed by how connected I felt to the characters and how vividly the themes of insecurity and self-criticism were touched upon in this book. Absolutely loved all three of them, but The Story Of An Unhappy Mother is my personal favorite!
[my rating: 4.5/5]
This is one of the most valuable pieces of translated fiction available to us and I'm so glad that I have had the chance to read it! Jun'ichirō Tanizaki puts mother-son relationships under a microscope over the span of three poignant short stories. I am awed by how connected I felt to the characters and how vividly the themes of insecurity and self-criticism were touched upon in this book. Absolutely loved all three of them, but The Story Of An Unhappy Mother is my personal favorite!
[my rating: 4.5/5]
March 15, 2022
*Score: 9/10*
This collects 3 stories from Tanizaki's early career output in 1910s / 1920s. The key aspect in those 3 stories is the mother son relation.
The first story, Longing, which is the shortest, is perhaps the best one (though not by a big difference). Its very dreamlike and has almost a folkish feel to it, and its about a child and his search for his mother. Tanizaki's beautiful writing really shines here as he describes a lot of the scenery that the child encounters in his search.
The second story, Sorrows of a Heretic, is about a teenage boy and his relation with his parents as they succumb to poverty, and then his dying 15 year old sister. This one seems to have been losely based on the author's own experience as per the translator's afterward. This was a very realistic and strong character study, though main character was definitely pathetic in his attitudes and his spite to his family. Great pace and very absorbing.
The last story is The Story of an Unhappy Mother, which centers on a widow and her relation with her children. Always known to be positive and loving, she also demonstrates the classical mother in how she wants to ensure her children always obey her and love her. This was very gripping as it deals with a mystery of how this mother suddenly changed to be distant and sorrowful, and how her relation with her eldest became a vaccum sucking the joy in the family. Very interesting end and gives lots of social commentary on family matters and pressures in those times in Japan.
All of those are written with Tanizaki's usual accessible style, which makes his works great entry points for Japanese Literature, as they are very readible and give a nice balance between characters and narrative.
This collects 3 stories from Tanizaki's early career output in 1910s / 1920s. The key aspect in those 3 stories is the mother son relation.
The first story, Longing, which is the shortest, is perhaps the best one (though not by a big difference). Its very dreamlike and has almost a folkish feel to it, and its about a child and his search for his mother. Tanizaki's beautiful writing really shines here as he describes a lot of the scenery that the child encounters in his search.
The second story, Sorrows of a Heretic, is about a teenage boy and his relation with his parents as they succumb to poverty, and then his dying 15 year old sister. This one seems to have been losely based on the author's own experience as per the translator's afterward. This was a very realistic and strong character study, though main character was definitely pathetic in his attitudes and his spite to his family. Great pace and very absorbing.
The last story is The Story of an Unhappy Mother, which centers on a widow and her relation with her children. Always known to be positive and loving, she also demonstrates the classical mother in how she wants to ensure her children always obey her and love her. This was very gripping as it deals with a mystery of how this mother suddenly changed to be distant and sorrowful, and how her relation with her eldest became a vaccum sucking the joy in the family. Very interesting end and gives lots of social commentary on family matters and pressures in those times in Japan.
All of those are written with Tanizaki's usual accessible style, which makes his works great entry points for Japanese Literature, as they are very readible and give a nice balance between characters and narrative.
October 30, 2021
I majored in Japanese Literature in college so I was eager to read this translation of Tanizaki's work. I have read The Makioka Sisters and The Key and a few other translations many years ago. Reading these three stories rekindled my admiration for Tanizaki whose characters are presented in such great detail that we can feel them living amongst us. These are gritty stories and I enjoyed the settings and time period. The exploration of character is so intricate and descriptive that they could almost work as a textbook for an author trying to work on character depiction.
This work is also a good juxtaposition between the modern women writers of Japan that are currently in the limelight. I'd urge anyone interested in Japanese literature to give Tanizaki a try.
This work is also a good juxtaposition between the modern women writers of Japan that are currently in the limelight. I'd urge anyone interested in Japanese literature to give Tanizaki a try.
September 30, 2022
Longing and other stories is my first approach to Tanizaki’s prose. A few years ago I realized that I haven't read that much of asian literature. So naturally when I saw this tittle available on NetGalley I could’t let pass the opportunity.
This book presents us three stories translated by Anthony H. Chambers and Paul McCarthy. An interesting part of this book is the final section dedicated to the work of the translators discussed by themselves, I found this detail well thought and really helpful.
Now about the stories, the first one is titled Longing, it felt like an eerie lucid dream. It's the story of a little boy who is lost and searches for his mother. In the way of finding his home he encounters two mothers and soon realizes that there is this kind of deceivement around him. Such a well crafted story with powerful imagery (i.e the snow under the moonlight). Now since this was my first story from this author I felt like I was a little bit missing trough the first pages but then I quickly caught up with his style.
As to the 2nd story, “Sorrows of a Heretic“, I found this one to be the most challenging and overwhelming of the collection, not only because of its main character and narrator, who is a man deeply disturbed but also because of the pacing. It really makes you feel like you’re trapped in this man’s head. For moments I had to take a deep breath because of how well the atmosphere of desolation was written in this story. Tragedy after tragedy, every detail in the narration makes your skin crawl. I liked how the topic of family and honor was displayed in this one, such a compelling theme.
And we finally arrive to the last story of this collection. “The Story of an Unhappy Mother“ is a great work of literature that displays the human nature and the tragedy of life, that is: our free will and consequences of this. A mother who acts like the matriarch of the family until tragedy strikes during a travel. I found the narration almost breathtaking, at first we get to know the dynamics of this family, a widow who enjoys the company of her sons and daughter. But then when the oldest son marries a musician, Mother suddenly begins to realize that his son’s affection has changed. This tale explores the complexity of human feelings and in doing so reveals so much more about the recurrent theme of family.
If you haven't read any of Tanizaki, please consider doing so. I know I will continue to expand my choices of authors and Tanizaki is definitely one not to miss out.
This book presents us three stories translated by Anthony H. Chambers and Paul McCarthy. An interesting part of this book is the final section dedicated to the work of the translators discussed by themselves, I found this detail well thought and really helpful.
Now about the stories, the first one is titled Longing, it felt like an eerie lucid dream. It's the story of a little boy who is lost and searches for his mother. In the way of finding his home he encounters two mothers and soon realizes that there is this kind of deceivement around him. Such a well crafted story with powerful imagery (i.e the snow under the moonlight). Now since this was my first story from this author I felt like I was a little bit missing trough the first pages but then I quickly caught up with his style.
As to the 2nd story, “Sorrows of a Heretic“, I found this one to be the most challenging and overwhelming of the collection, not only because of its main character and narrator, who is a man deeply disturbed but also because of the pacing. It really makes you feel like you’re trapped in this man’s head. For moments I had to take a deep breath because of how well the atmosphere of desolation was written in this story. Tragedy after tragedy, every detail in the narration makes your skin crawl. I liked how the topic of family and honor was displayed in this one, such a compelling theme.
And we finally arrive to the last story of this collection. “The Story of an Unhappy Mother“ is a great work of literature that displays the human nature and the tragedy of life, that is: our free will and consequences of this. A mother who acts like the matriarch of the family until tragedy strikes during a travel. I found the narration almost breathtaking, at first we get to know the dynamics of this family, a widow who enjoys the company of her sons and daughter. But then when the oldest son marries a musician, Mother suddenly begins to realize that his son’s affection has changed. This tale explores the complexity of human feelings and in doing so reveals so much more about the recurrent theme of family.
If you haven't read any of Tanizaki, please consider doing so. I know I will continue to expand my choices of authors and Tanizaki is definitely one not to miss out.
January 4, 2022
This collection of stories was a nice introduction to Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's work. It features three short stories that focus on dysfunctional family relationships, particularly mother and son relationships.
They all deal with themes of moral values, insecurity and yearning. What surprised me the most was how distinctive the writing style in each story was. The writing is beautiful and it manages to evoke feelings of melancholy and despair. I like how flawed and unlikable some of the characters in this short story collection are, it makes for an interesting read.
As with all short story collections, I enjoyed some stories more than others. My personal favourite was "The story of an Unhappy Mother".
Overall, I enjoyed this collection of stories and found them to be a very haunting and emotional read.
The translations are beautiful and I truly appreciated the translator's afterword. It gives you more insight into the author's life, cultural references, and it provides you with a deeper understanding of the three stories featured in this collection.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Columbia University Press for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
They all deal with themes of moral values, insecurity and yearning. What surprised me the most was how distinctive the writing style in each story was. The writing is beautiful and it manages to evoke feelings of melancholy and despair. I like how flawed and unlikable some of the characters in this short story collection are, it makes for an interesting read.
As with all short story collections, I enjoyed some stories more than others. My personal favourite was "The story of an Unhappy Mother".
Overall, I enjoyed this collection of stories and found them to be a very haunting and emotional read.
The translations are beautiful and I truly appreciated the translator's afterword. It gives you more insight into the author's life, cultural references, and it provides you with a deeper understanding of the three stories featured in this collection.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Columbia University Press for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2021
Three short stories, quite different from each other, offer a perfect opportunity to get to know Tanizaki as a writer.
The titular piece "Longing" captures an equally dream-like and muddy atmosphere, very lyrical and rich in imagery. Having said that it's probably my least favourite as the other two left a much greater impact on me.
"The Story of an Unhappy Mother" felt a bit like an outlier in the sense that it felt like it centered more around a plot, however, it's still very much a study of a flawed family and their characters. I found the mother in this story very interesting. The story unravels bit by bit and holds a lot of soft intrigue.
The second story "Sorrows of a Heretic" is undeniably my favourite and concerns a university student with questionable morals and decision-making. The character reads a little bit like a caricature, yet that doesn't mean it's out of touch with reality. It's also a portrait of a family under unfortunate circumstances. Crisp, refreshing and woeful.
The titular piece "Longing" captures an equally dream-like and muddy atmosphere, very lyrical and rich in imagery. Having said that it's probably my least favourite as the other two left a much greater impact on me.
"The Story of an Unhappy Mother" felt a bit like an outlier in the sense that it felt like it centered more around a plot, however, it's still very much a study of a flawed family and their characters. I found the mother in this story very interesting. The story unravels bit by bit and holds a lot of soft intrigue.
The second story "Sorrows of a Heretic" is undeniably my favourite and concerns a university student with questionable morals and decision-making. The character reads a little bit like a caricature, yet that doesn't mean it's out of touch with reality. It's also a portrait of a family under unfortunate circumstances. Crisp, refreshing and woeful.
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