Goal: Achieved

[neptunesubmerge]

One of my favorite books is Natsume Soseki's And Then... It is the story of a depressed and anxiety-ridden young man in Meiji Japan who drives himself to ruin. I read this book several years ago and upon finishing it was profoundly uncomfortable. But in a weird way, that was part of why I loved it so much. Even though it was negative, I had a

Comments

[roboticonograph]

I'm definitely adding that one to my list of recommended reads. I also work with a young man who is fascinated with all things Japanese, who I think would really appreciate this book.

[neptunesubmerge]

For your co-worker, I can't recommend Soseki enough. He was one of the major voices of the Meiji era. His books dealt a lot with the changing cultural attitudes associated with Western influence coming into Japan. Soseki was very against Westernization, but also accepted it as where the future of the country was going. He also wrote a 700-page novel on the life of a kitten, from the cat's point of view. One of his books, Sanshiro is basically my security blanket. It is about a young man from the country who goes to the big city for college, falls in love with a feminist and fails in the relationship because he is entirely unaware of how incompatiable their values are. It is simultaniously a portrait of the youth in Tokyo in the late 1800's and one of the most universal stories I've ever read. I've read it a million times and take it with me whenever I need something safe and familiar.

Next stop on my Dostoevsky train is The Gambler.

[moanahine]

The Brothers Karamazov is considered one of the most lifechanging books in all literature, that is if you can finish it. I for one was shaken too by the book and I am very curious as to how a Western reader receives and understands it.

[neptunesubmerge]

Well, to begin with all of my translations are by Constance Garnett. I didn't know this at the time I started buying these books, but her translations are widely criticized because she loses Dostoevsky's voice. Since learning that, I've tried to get other translations, but hers are pretty much the ones that are available

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[anonymous]

Thought I would comment and say neat theme, did you make it for yourself? It's really awesome!

Re: backlinks service

[neptunesubmerge]

The theme I use was made by Nekura Yamiyo. A friend of mine used it, then I started using it. I've had it for so long that I don't remember where she found it.