Some prefer nettles, autobiographical novel by tanizaki junichiro, published in japanese in 192829 as tade kuu mushi. One common tradition that may seem very visible to outsiders is the traditional japanese dress of the kimono. Junichuro tanizakis some prefer nettles is an elegiac masterpiece if you like colette, you will enjoy some prefer nettles set in tokyo and osaka in the 1920s, it follows the fortunes of a couple who cannot decide whether or not to divorce. The first is the problem of working through, or ending, an unhappy marriage. In his novel some prefer nettles, he parodies the notion of shinju and gives it a social and sensual double suicide with no clear ending. It is the 1920s in tokyo, and kaname and his wife misako are trapped in a parody of a progressive western marriage. In the meantime he had some fun with a foreign whore and indulged in some quite weird thoughts about the companion of his wifes father ohisa. If you appreciate or seek classic literarary fiction, japanese novels, a wellformed sentence and many of them over plot, ambiguous endings, complex family dynamics, imperfect marriages, and the sound of rain frogs on a summers eve, you likewise may appreciate it. The story takes place in japan with influence by the east and west culture, which was seen observed with the actions activities by the characters in the story leroy, 2007. A pupil of nessus, or, as some accounts prefer, of democritus himself, he was a complete sceptic. It was written in serial format between 1928 and 1930 for the magazine kaizo.
I did not at all see the ending of this book coming. Anticipating a common theme of postworld war ii japanese novels, some prefer nettles examines the conflict between traditional and modern i. This comprehensive lesson plan includes 30 daily lessons, 180 multiple choice questions, 20 essay questions, 20 fun activities, and more everything you need to teach some prefer nettles. Sep 21, 2015 junichiro tanizakis some prefer nettles is an exquisitely nuanced exploration of the allure of ancient japanese traditionand the profound disquiet that accompanied its passing. Tanizaki junichiro some prefer nettles michelle bailatjones. Thirtytwo minutes a blog about music, movies, art, books. I had a hard time putting this down to go to class and ended up reading it in a couple hours.
These traditions have also evolved over a period of thousands of years. The conflict between traditional and modern japanese culture is at the heart of this compelling japanese novel. Some prefer nettles junichiro tanizaki 1001 books to read. It was first published in 19289 as a newspaper serial. He accepted the democritean theory of atoms and void and the plurality of worlds, but held a theory of his own that the stars are formed from day to day by the moisture in the air under the heat of the sun.
Kara some prefer nettles is about kaname and misako, a married couple that is no longer in love. Junichuro tanizakis some prefer nettles is an elegiac masterpiece. The main storyline chronicles the degradation of a traditional japanese marriage as it gives way to. Some prefer nettles is a short, semiautobiographical novel with two main focuses. Tanizakis later work some prefer nettles, also addresses themes of identity. The husband, kaname, and the wife, misako, are both frustrated with their unhappy marriage, struggling over the decision of divorce while keeping it a secret from everyone but kanames cousin, takanatsu. Quicksand, originally published in japan as manji japanese. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki goodreads. A rare glimpse of japanese culture at a specific point in history, this novel explores the same subject matter as junichiro tanizakis 1929 novel, some prefer nettles, which, while more. Both are having affairs, both are interested in divorce, but both are putting off the end of the marriage.
All his most important works were written after 1923, among them some prefer nettles 1929, the secret history of the lord of musashi 1935, several modern versions of the tale of genji 1941, 1954 and 1965, the makioka sisters, the. Junichiro tanizakis some prefer nettles is an exquisitely nuanced exploration of the allure of ancient japanese traditionand the profound disquiet that accompanied its passing. Probably his most famous composition and one of his most ambitious, comprising some eighty minutes of unbroken music is the passacaglia on dsch for solo piano 196062. Some prefer nettles by tanizaki junichiro hows the road to. His inner life has been totally enriched by things those around him do not fathom and frankly find a total bore. He was awarded an imperial award for cultural merit in 1949 and. Buy some prefer nettles vintage classics book online at. Complete summary of junichiro tanizakis some prefer nettles.
Some prefer nettles by tanizaki junichiro hows the road. Jun 16, 2017 junichuro tanizakis some prefer nettles is an elegiac masterpiece if you like colette, you will enjoy some prefer nettles set in tokyo and osaka in the 1920s, it follows the fortunes of a couple who cannot decide whether or not to divorce. The novel some prefer nettles describes the differences in the regions between tokyo and osaka. Some prefer nettles is the story of the struggle to decide between tradition east and new ideas west, stability and excitement, a spouse and a lover.
Some prefer nettles is rich in understatement and irony, most of which is appreciated having read the essay. All his most important works were written after 1923, among them some prefer nettles 1929, the secret history of the lord of musashi 1935, several modern versions of the tale of genji 1941, 1954 and 1965, the makioka sisters, the key 1956 and diary of a mad old man 1961. Its my first novel by tanizaki, although i read and loved his nonfiction book, in search of shadows earlier this year. Published in 1928, the plot documents the stagnation in a marriage after several years of mutual disinterest between husband and wife. Some prefer nettles by junichuro tanizaki mirabile dictu. Some prefer nettles is definitely not his best work, in my opinion, but it is fascinating and engrossing. Willer only seems to run their baseline buses on the osakahiroshima route on some of the more popular routes they run different classes of buses, including some that only have 3 seats per row, but it was still quite comfortable. Mar 03, 2011 junichiro tanizaki some prefer nettles translated by edward g. The slightly insane never ending book list page 29 show list info a horrifically insane eclectic reading list for people who love long lists, read lots of books, or are just insane. Seidensticker 1995, vintage international, 202 pages tanizaki 18861965, one of the most famous of all japanese novelists, is probably best known for his big novel the makioka sisters 194348. Kanames struggle is not local to the time and place of japan c. Some prefer nettles, by tanizaki junichiro, is a distinctly peculiar book, set in interwar japan, exploring the clash between japanese tradition and modernity. Jun 28, 2017 this is the discussion thread for our july 2017 read, some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki. Some prefer nettles is the story of a marriage thats over, but not over.
Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki librarything. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki, paperback barnes. The novel is often regarded as the most autobiographical of tanizakis works and one of his finest novels. Junichiro tanizaki was one of japans greatest twentienth century novelists. Most japanese traditions involve every aspect of japanese life. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki overdrive. In the meantime he had some fun with a foreign whore and indulged in some quite weird thoughts about. The ending of the book is openand fits the theme of passivity in a. Set in japan in the 1930s, the book takes an intimate look at how a couple kaname and. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki translated by edward g.
This is the discussion thread for our july 2017 read, some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki. The novel, some prefer nettles, by junichiro tanizaki, depicts the story of a troubled couple living in the taisho period of japan. Another of his classics is tade kuu mushi or some prefer nettles. The first is the problem of working through, or ending. It originally appeared as a newspaper serial, and it is generally considered one of the authors finest works. Seidensticker is a mere 151 pages long but the depth it takes readers is sheer mastery. All of their seats have hoods that pull down and cover your head,giving privacy and making it easier to sleep. The novel is often regarded as the most autobiographical of tanizakis works and one of his finest novels the japanese title of the novel is literally water peppereating bugs, and is the first half of the.
Jan 18, 20 some prefer nettles is a short, semiautobiographical novel with two main focuses. Symbolism is obvious in context and requires no explanationa dream that the children are being executed, the contamination of some pickled plums, a ghost. Some prefer nettles vintage classics kindle edition by. In the meantime he had some fun with a foreign whore and indulged in some quite weird thoughts about the companion of. Im looking forward to reading this and discussing it with our group.
Jan 07, 20 some prefer nettles is a short, semiautobiographical novel with two main focuses. Kaname is a smug, modern man living in a modern marriage. Tanizakis characteristic irony, eroticism, and psychological undertones make some prefer nettles an exceptional and compelling read. Some prefer nettles is about kaname and misako, a married couple that is no longer in love. Apr 28, 2016 this is the main, plotcarrying conflict in some prefer nettles kanames want of divorce vs kanames inability to act upon his decision. The novels other characters, including kanames wife, his lover, his fatherinlaw, and even the cities in which they live, all symbolize the modern and ancient ways of life in japan. The main storyline chronicles the degradation of a traditional japanese marriage as it gives way to new ideas of what love should be. Some prefer nettles is a straightforward novel, meaning that the story is quite simple. How wonderful to read that you read the book and liked it. Set in japan in the 1930s, the book takes an intimate look at how a couple kaname and misako, are living through a disintegrating marriage. Born in 1886 in tokyo, his first published work a oneact play appeared in. Im sorry if i ruined the surprise for you but i know i didnt give away any of the plot. The closing words of the novel tanizakis endings are always stunning transform a wooden doll into a woman. Some of the longest discussions of aesthetics occur in some prefer nettles, in which art drama, music, ceramics is so often a part of the plot and the characters interests.
Junichiro tanizaki some prefer nettles translated by edward g. This is the main, plotcarrying conflict in some prefer nettles kanames want of divorce vs kanames inability to act upon his decision. Some prefer nettles junichiro tanizaki 1001 books to. In some prefer nettles we see a classic reading life type in the father in law, a man who has sort of cultivated himself into a isolated corner. Kaname and his wife misako have been married for about ten years but they are both tired of their marriage, misako has even fallen in love with another man with kanames help and blessing.
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