Another of his classics is tade kuu mushi or some prefer nettles, published in 1928, in which. The main storyline chronicles the degradation of a traditional japanese marriage as it gives way to new ideas of what love should be. Anticipating a common theme of postworld war ii japanese novels, some prefer nettles examines the conflict between traditional and modern i. The novel is often regarded as the most autobiographical of tanizakis works and one of his finest novels. A pupil of nessus, or, as some accounts prefer, of democritus himself, he was a complete sceptic. Thirtytwo minutes a blog about music, movies, art, books. The first is the problem of working through, or ending. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki librarything. It was first published in 19289 as a newspaper serial. 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. 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.
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. Kanames struggle is not local to the time and place of japan c. One common tradition that may seem very visible to outsiders is the traditional japanese dress of the kimono. The novel some prefer nettles describes the differences in the regions between tokyo and osaka. Quicksand, originally published in japan as manji japanese. 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. This is the discussion thread for our july 2017 read, some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki. Tanizakis later work some prefer nettles, also addresses themes of identity. Some prefer nettles by tanizaki junichiro hows the road.
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. 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. Junichiro tanizakis some prefer nettles is an exquisitely nuanced exploration of the allure of ancient japanese traditionand the profound disquiet that accompanied its passing. Its my first novel by tanizaki, although i read and loved his nonfiction book, in search of shadows earlier this year. I had a hard time putting this down to go to class and ended up reading it in a couple hours. Some prefer nettles vintage classics kindle edition by. 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. Jun 28, 2017 this is the discussion thread for our july 2017 read, some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki. Some prefer nettles is a short, semiautobiographical novel with two main focuses. Kara some prefer nettles is about kaname and misako, a married couple that is no longer in love. Most japanese traditions involve every aspect of japanese life. Kaname is a smug, modern man living in a modern marriage. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki overdrive.
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. Some prefer nettles, by tanizaki junichiro, is a distinctly peculiar book, set in interwar japan, exploring the clash between japanese tradition and modernity. The conflict between traditional and modern japanese culture is at the heart of this compelling japanese novel. 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.
Some prefer nettles is a straightforward novel, meaning that the story is quite simple. It was written in serial format between 1928 and 1930 for the magazine kaizo. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki, paperback barnes. 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. Both are having affairs, both are interested in divorce, but both are putting off the end of the marriage. Some prefer nettles junichiro tanizaki 1001 books to read. Junichiro tanizaki was one of japans greatest twentienth century novelists.
There are infidelities and disputes and friendships and intricacies. Im sorry if i ruined the surprise for you but i know i didnt give away any of the plot. How wonderful to read that you read the book and liked it. 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. 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.
The ending of the book is openand fits the theme of passivity in a. Some prefer nettles is definitely not his best work, in my opinion, but it. This is the main, plotcarrying conflict in some prefer nettles kanames want of divorce vs kanames inability to act upon his decision. Another of his classics is tade kuu mushi or some prefer nettles. Buy some prefer nettles vintage classics book online at. 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. Some prefer nettles by tanizaki junichiro hows the road to. Some prefer nettles is rich in understatement and irony, most of which is appreciated having read the essay. 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.
Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki goodreads. Born in 1886 in tokyo, his first published work a oneact play appeared in. Mar 03, 2011 junichiro tanizaki some prefer nettles translated by edward g. 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. In the meantime he had some fun with a foreign whore and indulged in some quite weird thoughts about. Some prefer nettles is about kaname and misako, a married couple that is no longer in love. 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. Jan 18, 20 some prefer nettles is a short, semiautobiographical novel with two main focuses.
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. Symbolism is obvious in context and requires no explanationa dream that the children are being executed, the contamination of some pickled plums, a ghost. Complete summary of junichiro tanizakis some prefer nettles. The main storyline chronicles the degradation of a traditional japanese marriage as it gives way to. 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.
Soon i will be sharing the japanese reading list and in this blog entry i mentioned that on it would be his book some prefer nettles, which i have already bought. 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. 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. 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. 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. Published in 1928, the plot documents the stagnation in a marriage after several years of mutual disinterest between husband and wife. Tanizaki junichiro some prefer nettles michelle bailatjones. These traditions have also evolved over a period of thousands of years. It originally appeared as a newspaper serial, and it is generally considered one of the authors finest works. Some prefer nettles, autobiographical novel by tanizaki junichiro, published in japanese in 192829 as tade kuu mushi.
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 novel, some prefer nettles, by junichiro tanizaki, depicts the story of a troubled couple living in the taisho period of japan. 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. Im looking forward to reading this and discussing it with our group. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki translated by edward g. Some prefer nettles by junichuro tanizaki mirabile dictu. 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. Jan 07, 20 some prefer nettles is a short, semiautobiographical novel with two main focuses. His inner life has been totally enriched by things those around him do not fathom and frankly find a total bore. I did not at all see the ending of this book coming. Junichiro tanizaki some prefer nettles translated by edward g.