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Book Review of The Tale of Murasaki : A Novel

The Tale of Murasaki : A Novel
bran-flakes14 avatar reviewed Poetic Writing and Hypnotic Imagery with a Good Plot on + 72 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2


Written by the only Western woman to ever have become a geisha, "The Tale of Murasaki" is a highly readable work that will both educate you about 11th century Japan and have you invested in its main character throughout. The story is about the writer of the first novel in history, and is told as a "fictional/historical" diary from that author's perspective. Some reviews have stated the story is too far-removed emotionally, and while it is to a certain degree, the style of writing and the relatability of the main character, Murasaki Shikibu, is more-than-enough to keep a reader entertained and craving more.