The Diary of Lady MurasakiThe Diary recorded by Lady Murasaki (c. 973-c. 1020), author of The Tale of Genji, is an intimate picture of her life as tutor and companion to the young Empress Shoshi. Told in a series of vignettes, it offers revealing glimpses of the Japanese imperial palace - the auspicious birth of a prince, rivalries between the Emperor's consorts, with sharp criticism of Murasaki's fellow ladies-in-waiting and drunken courtiers, and telling remarks about the timid Empress and her powerful father, Michinaga. The Diary is also a work of great subtlety and intense personal reflection, as Murasaki makes penetrating insights into human psychology - her pragmatic observations always balanced by an exquisite and pensive melancholy. |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - nmhale - LibraryThingMurasaki is the author of one of Japan's acclaimed literary accomplishments, [The Tale of Genji]. While I've read excerpts of this novel in college, and own a lovely hardcover boxed edition, I haven't ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - antiquary - LibraryThingInteresting as being the diary of the author of the Tale of Genji, though the diary itself is not as colorful as that of her contemporary Sei Shonagon. The most interesting moment may be the one in which she rejects the powerful Fujiwara chancellor Read full review
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Bibliographic information
| Title | The Diary of Lady Murasaki Penguin classics |
| Author | Murasaki Shikibu |
| Translated by | Richard Bowring |
| Contributor | Richard Bowring |
| Publisher | Penguin UK, 1996 |
| ISBN | 0141907657, 9780141907659 |
| Length | 144 pages |
| Subjects | › › Biography & Autobiography / Historical History / Asia / Japan History / Europe / Medieval Literary Collections / Diaries & Journals Literary Collections / Letters |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |