pickFirst published in 1958 this book, according to Towles, launched the mystery genre in Japan. Having read it, I understand why. A crime that, on the surface, doesn‘t appear to be one. An airtight alibi. A grizzled veteran investigator who can‘t escape a sense of doubt, a young investigator who knows something isn‘t quite right. It has all the elements and Matsumoto‘s revealing of the truth is really well timed. I really enjoyed this one.
pickGiven its themes of endings, decline, decadence, and life-weariness, and its post-war setting, Dazai's novel cannot fail to be sad. Terminal illness, omens of death, addiction, emotional cruelty and suicide feature prominently, and Dazai died by suicide the year after its initial 1947 publication. But...
Despite her brother's dismissal of the old order as failed, and the new generation as dying on the vine, there is a scintilla of hope in ⬇️
Went to a bookstore for the first time in ages and didn‘t find any of the books I was actually looking for. 😬 I did, however, find three books on my “keep an eye out for these” list and a new one by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. Definitely ready for some holiday long weekend reading!
panThe novel is circular by design, which I liked at first, but the text was too repetitive & there was too much filler -- overuse of phrases like "in other words" or "with that thought." And I think every character thinks or says, "Huh?" at least once. Here are a couple quotes: "Eiko had no idea what a Whiskey and Coke was." ? "Plants were amazing things. Every year, without fail, they created literal, solid produce." ? Better in Japanese, maybe?
"People always make a serious face when they tell a lie. The seriousness of our leaders these days! Pooh!"
"From that day to the present, we have managed to continue our solitary lives in this cottage in the mountains. We prepare meals, knit on the porch, read in the Chinese room, drink tea - in other words, lead an uneventful existence almost completely isolated from the world."
My idea of paradise! ?
Next up, Dazai's novel of the decline of the Japanese aristocracy immediately following WWII. Published in 1947, the year prior to Dazai's death by suicide, it's tragic in tone.
The translator's introduction in this edition was written in the 1950s, and is itself an interesting, if brief, historical insight into a contemporary Westerner's perception of Japanese post-war culture.
Just an update!
This #10BeforeTheEnd thing isn‘t happening. 😆 Mood reading strikes again! But I did actually pick up some of them, which may not have happened otherwise (and I may sneak some of them in still — especially the book club picks in the upper left).
Thanks for a fun concept, @ChaoticMissAdventures ! I am hereby releasing myself from any semblance of obligation, imaginary or otherwise. 🙃
