The Sensei and the Student

Kokoro

Soseki Matsume

Translator Edwin McClellan

Review by Zorena

Four Stars

Summary

This thought-provoking trilogy of stories explores the very essence of loneliness and stands as a stirring introduction to modern Japanese literature. It unfolds as three stories that are all related. The story of the student (narrator), the student and the Sensei and lastly the Sensei himself.

My Review

It's funny but I find myself returning to Japanese literature if I've been either feeling unsettled in my reading or life. It makes a great palate cleanser for me. This is also a return to this book. The first time I read it I was far from being in the right place to appreciate it and only read about half. On the re-read I'm finding I appreciate it much more. The change in narrative perspective really helped to balance the story. Going from an almost cold and distant recital of the Narrator's life then starting to show the Narrator's struggle with his own ethics and finally to the more heartfelt history of the Sensei's life.

The simplicity of his writing conveys the ideas of loss, betrayal and loneliness far better than the most flowery prose. Not that this novel is written without beauty. There is much that is gentle and serene to be found here. Also we see that things unsaid may do more damage than good.

Death and suicide seem to figure prominently in a lot of Japanese literature and this story is no exception. Honour is so closely paralleled with them that it's a part of the culture. I still find it odd that Murakami's book Norwegian Wood dealing with it had less of an impact on me than Soseki's. I think it's because Murakami's characters lacked the depth and reasoning that Soseki's did. Soseki's Narrator and Sensei live in a world of honour whereas Murakami's characters seem to live in a world of selfish indulgence. Don't get me wrong. I love Murakami but sometimes I prefer this form of writing.

This is a great first read for someone wanting to explore classic Japanese Literature.

An Artist in the Floating World

An Artist of the Floating World

Kazuo Ishiguro

Four Stars

Summary

In An Artist of the Floating World, Kazuo Ishiguro offers readers of the English language an authentic look at postwar Japan, "a floating world" of changing cultural behaviors, shifting societal patterns and troubling questions. Ishiguro, who was born in Nagasaki in 1954 but moved to England in 1960, writes the story of Masuji Ono, a bohemian artist and purveyor of the night life who became a propagandist for Japanese imperialism during the war. But the war is over. Japan lost, Ono's wife and son have been killed, and many young people blame the imperialists for leading the country to disaster. What's left for Ono?

My Review

I've finally added Kazuo Ishiguro as a favourite author. I feel I should have when I read Never Let Me Go but I have yet to finish the book review for that one. So why am I writing this one first? I think it's because the other effected in a way I couldn't quite describe but this book feels more comfortable. The more I read of Ishiguro, the more I fall in love with his form of the written word.

I'm really not so sure this book is about post war Japan as it is about frailty and the weakness of pride. Told in a conversational way with occasional flashbacks to earlier times and conversations Masuji Ono sometimes let slip the pride he felt in being a propaganda artist. It's not until he is rebuffed by a former student and reminded of his duties to assure his daughter a good marriage match that it begins to dawn on him that his memories may be faulty. He soon realizes he may also have been wrong.

This is written so subtly that you, along with Masuji Ono, arrive at this at about the same time. You are allowed to make mistakes and learn from them if you confront them. This book has lessons but none of them are taught with force. I think I like learning that way.