The Tale of Genji

The Tale of Genji

Murasaki Shikibu

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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. Royall Tyler’s superior translation is detailed, poetic, and superbly true to the Japanese original while allowing the modern reader to appreciate it as a contemporary treasure. Supplemented with detailed notes, glossaries, character lists, and chronologies to help the reader navigate the multigenerational narrative, this comprehensive edition presents this ancient tale in the grand style that it deserves.


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  • cjferrera
    Mar 09, 2025
    Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

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  • spxceflwr
    Mar 11, 2025
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    truly troubling :)

    genji hate train always

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