Specs
More Information
Where to find
Reviews
(4.40/5)Again a very influential novel about a dude grooming a young girl to eventually become his wife. Totally outrageous when read from todays perspective (and probably outrageous back when it was written, too, but for presumably different reasons), it's a couples descent into total disarray. A relentless obsession with western culture that makes the biggest weaboo seem tame in comparison, countless musings on the nature of women that are proven wrong immediately after every time, horniness dripping from every page but shying away from even a single sex-scene. Quite a wild ride. I thought it was absolutely hilarious at times, beautiful at others.
If you read it knowing that it was written in 1924, i think this is one of the most engaging and fun books i've reviewed.
My first Tanizaki and won't be my last. Utterly ridiculous and lots of fun for it. I actually started the book club after being intrigued by _Minos' review and feel it's a very apt one.
Grammar wise this book is a pretty easy read, if I were judging it on grammar alone it'd be in the low 30s. For vocab however it's simply old. Lots of kanji for words now written in kana, terms no longer in use, and old fashioned ways of saying things. If you're already familiar with older Japanese writing, or have a high tolerance for look ups this won't feel too tough. If you lack either of those, it will likely be exhausting to read.