The Tale of Genji
Book description
In the early eleventh century Murasaki Shikibu, a lady in the Heian court of Japan, wrote what many consider to be the world’s first novel, more than three centuries before Chaucer. The Heian era (794—1185) is recognized as one of the very greatest periods in Japanese literature, and The Tale…
Why read it?
3 authors picked The Tale of Genji as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Murasaki Shikibu was a lady of the Heian Court of Japan in the eleventh century and has been credited with creating the first novel ever written.
The Tale of Genji has stood the test of centuries. It reveals a world of political machinations, danger, passionate intrigue, and forbidden love in an exotic setting of a time long forgotten. Genji is the son of an emperor and, once you read him, you will understand why his tale is still so popular today.
From S.E.'s list on sci-fi/fantasy historically written by women.
Jump ahead four hundred years, spin the globe a quarter turn, and we come to what most literary taxonomists will call the first ‘novel,’ The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu, who was herself a lady of court during the Heian period. While not as jaw-dropping as the Procopius, Murasaki’s tale likewise functions as a window into a world so distant and exotic—from both a moral and aesthetic perspective—that its abiding and underlying familiarity consoles. And isn’t that the point? The supernatural influence is more subtle, but definitely there; witness the several instances of Mononoke—…
From Brooks' list on history, myth, and fantasy, as imagination sees fit.
That The Tale of Genji is the world’s first novel is reason enough to read it, but it’s also a priceless insight into the lives of the aristocracy during Japan’s Heian period (794-1185). Genji chronicles the life and loves of Genji, the “Shining Prince,” an emperor’s son who isn’t high enough ranking to ever inherit the throne and spends his days plotting romantic conquests that bring sorrow as often as joy. A masterpiece of world literature.
From Pamela's list on pre-modern Japan.
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