Book Review: Five Women Who Loved Love by Ihara Saikaku

Book Review – Five Women Who Loved Love by Ihara Saikaku

Author: Ihara Saikaku


Translator: William Theodore De Bary


Publisher: Kodansha Amer Inc (February 1993)


ISBN: 978-4770016904


Pages: 248

A collection of short stories on women who love love

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 A collection of five short stories by Ihara Saikaku who live in the period 1642 to 1693. Each story tells of a couple who love each other but who cannot be together and their ensuing struggles to keep their love.

The reader gets transported back to the time period in which the stories are written and gains great insights into the lifestyle and social norms of the period, plus get to meet the characters of each story and how they met, lived and challenges they faced to find love.

The stories include: The story of Seijuro in Himeji, The Barrelmaker Brimful of Love, What the seasons brought the Almanac maker, The Greengrocers daughter with a bundle of love and Gengobei, the mountain of love.

A very light, humorous and historical book that sheds light on the social conditions for love in the period.

       

Book Review – Five Women Who Loved Love by Ihara Saikaku

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Book Review Kangaroo Notebook by Kobo Abe

Book Review – Kangaroo Notebook

Author: Kobo Abe

Translator: Maryellen Toman Mori 

Publisher: Alfred. A. Knopf, New Yoork, USA, 1996

ISBN: 0-679-42412-1 Pages: 183

A wild ride from start to finish

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This is the last novel by Kobo Abe before his death in 1993. It takes the reader on a fantastic journey from everyday life to a deep dream like state where we get to learn more about the main character who is an employee for an office supply firm who has recently suggested a new product, a Kangaroo Notebook which management like and want to reward him if he can put the idea into reality.

As he contemplates the idea he discovers he has a medical problem to deal with and the novel takes us along for the ride as he tries to discover the cause and gain a solution. We meet a host of interesting characters, places and recollections. He finally ends up in hospital with an unrelated condition where he gets some help from some unlikely strangers. 

A fun, crazy and creative dive into to the subconscious!

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Book Review – Kangaroo Notebook

Book Review The Kingdom by Fuminori Nakamura

Book Review 

The Kingdom by Fuminori Nakamura

This book is the sequel to his earlier book "The Thief" which was written from the male perspective whereas this book is written from the female perspective which is a great twist. The storylines are similar in that they are both set in Tokyo but characters and plot are very diferent.

One of the best things about Fuminori's writing is that he does not use cliches and builds unique blocks to build up and change story movements. There is no way to guess what is coming.

Symbolic references to the moon, fate and superstition standout as do the themes of darkness and abandonment.

We learn about the life, times and friends of Yurika a freelancer in the Tokyo underworld.

Authentic, fast paced and keeps you entertained until the end.

It would be great to see some of Fuminori's books made into movies in the future!

First book in the series

The second book in the series

Other books by Fuminori Nakamura

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