Status Updates From Der Goldene Pavillon

"Because I was not a bee, I was not tempted by the chrysanthemum and, because I was not a chrysanthemum, no bee yearned after me."

A discussion with Josh and Rishi about the zen problem "Nansen kills the cat" led me to reread this book. I remember Mishima introducing me to this proverb through this book as a teenager, and it confused me a lot back then. I can't say I'm too firm on my understanding of it now, but at least I understand it a little more. The book is still well written but the novelty of the plot has waned with my age.