Kwaidan Book Club: Tale of Genji

“An enormous achievement.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Widely recognized as the world’s first novel, as well as one of its best. An epic narrative, it is also minutely attentive to particulars of character, setting, emotion—even costume.” —Publishers Weekly 

Our next meeting in August, we'll be reading and discussing “The Tale of Genji” by Murasaki Shikibu. This meeting was not held in May due to weather and lack of attendance.

Didn't read the book yet? That's okay! You can still join in on the conversation as we discuss the Japanese culture and history we find in the novel. We even like to compare the novel to its movie counterpart (Tales of Genji has a movie and an anime titled Genji Monogatari).

*Please help support Tubby & Coo's Mid-City Book Shop by ordering your copy through them. Make sure to mention that it is for the Kwaidan Book Club (Japan Society of New Orleans's Book Club) for a special discount!

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Written in the eleventh century, this exquisite portrait of courtly life in medieval Japan is widely celebrated as the world’s first novel. Genji, the Shining Prince, is the son of an emperor. He is a passionate character whose tempestuous nature, family circumstances, love affairs, alliances, and shifting political fortunes form the core of this magnificent epic.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Murasaki Shikibu, born in 978, was a member of Japan's Fujiwara clan, which ruled behind the scenes during the Heian Period by providing the brides and courtesans of all the emperors. Lady Murasaki's rare literary talent, particularly her skill as a poet, secured her a place in the court of Empress Akiko. After the death of her husband, she cloistered herself to study Buddhism, raise her daughter, and write the world's first novel, Genji monogatari, the tale of the shining Prince Genji.

*Book and author information found on Amazon.