NCantonLibrary Chat discussion

We're specifically reading the Kencho Suematsu condensed translation. There are a handful of hard copies at the library and unlimited copies of the ebook and e-audio available from Hoopla.
https://www.hoopladigital.com/

So fun fact about The Tale of Genji: there are a lot of scholars that consider it to be the first novel.

The Tale of Genji: The World's First Novel? from the BBC. It has some historical context about the writing that you all might find interesting. :)

Selena wrote: "So fun fact about The Tale of Genji: there are a lot of scholars that consider it to be the first novel.

The Tale of Genji: The World's First Novel? from the BBC. It has some historical context ab..."

Thanks for the link!

For anyone interested...

I started the book today, and I often skip introductions and read them later if I have time, but in this case I read the Forward and both Introductions. They are short and interesting, without giving away the entire plot of the book.

Selena, that's fascinating about it being considered the first novel!

I also appreciated the translator's note at the beginning for background in the author and cultural setting.

I'm really enjoying the book so far. Last night I read the story of Young Violet (chapter five), and whoa, we will need to discuss that one.

Courtney wrote: "Selena, that's fascinating about it being considered the first novel!

I also appreciated the translator's note at the beginning for background in the author and cultural setting.

I'm really enj..."
Lynn already emailed me about Violet! And I'm about to start Chapter 5 today, so it should be interesting!

www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20...

The above review considers translations of the full work (not the one we read), but it also had many interesting points about how Tale of Genji was interpreted and treated during different eras in Japan. It also provides some short descriptions of what happened after our abridged version ended.

Courtney wrote: "www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20...

The above review considers translations of the full work (not the one we read), but it also had many interesting points about how..."
This is fantastic! Thanks!