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The Tale of Genji (Penguin Classics)
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The Tale of Genji (Penguin Classics) Hardback - 2001

by Shikibu, Murasaki; Tyler, Royall

Summary

"Superbly written and genuinely engaging . . . one of those works that can be read and reread throughout one's life." —Liza Dalby, Los Angeles Times Book Review Written in the eleventh century, this exquisite portrait of courtly life in medieval Japan is widely celebrated as the world's first novel—and is certainly one of its finest. Genji, the Shining Prince, son of an emperor, 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 superb translation is detailed, poetic, and true to the Japanese original while allowing the English reader to appreciate its timeless beauty. In this deftly abridged edition, Tyler focuses on the early chapters, which vividly evoke Genji as a young man and leave him at his first moment of triumph.

From the publisher

In the tradition of Robert Fagles's translation of the Iliad and the Odyssey, Viking presents a stunning translation of Lady Murasaki's exquisite portrait of courtly life in medieval Japan. Written in the eleventh century, The Tale of Genji is widely celebrated as the world's first novel, but as Donald Keene has observed, it is also "one of its greatest". Genji the Shining Prince, the son of an emperor, is a passionate character whose tempestuous nature, family circumstances, love affairs, alliances, and shifting political fortunes form the core of this magnificent epic. Throughout, The Tale of Genji offers a lively and well-rounded glimpse of golden age Japan with a cast of characters as richly conceived and nuanced as those of Proust.

Royall Tyler's superb translation, detailed and poetic, is scrupulously true to the Japanese original but appeals immediately to the modern reader as well. Tyler includes detailed notes, glossaries, character lists, and chronologies to help the reader navigate the multigenerational narrative and its references. Magnificently packaged in a two-volume set with a slipcase, this is a literary event comparable to Seamus Heaney's bestselling translation of Beowulf. It will spark interest in this masterpiece of world literature and serve as the standard edition for many years to come.

First line

IN the reign of a certain Emperor, whose name is unknown to us, there was, among the Niogo and Koyi of the Imperial Court, one who, though she was not of high birth, enjoyed the full tide of Royal favor.

Details

  • Title The Tale of Genji (Penguin Classics)
  • Author Shikibu, Murasaki; Tyler, Royall
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 1200
  • Language EN
  • Publisher Viking Adult, New York, New York, U.S.A.
  • Date October 11, 2001
  • ISBN 9780670030200

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.
Royall Tyler was born in London, England, and grew up in Massachusetts, England, Washington D.C., and Paris. He has a B.A. in Far Eastern Languages from Harvard, and an M.A. in Japanese History and Ph. D. in Japanese literature from Columbia University. He has taught Japanese language and culture at, among other places, Ohio State University, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Oslo, in Norway. Beginning in 1990, he taught at the Australian National University, in Canberra, from which he retired at the end of 2000. He will spend the American academic year 2001-02 as a Visiting Professor at Harvard.

Royall Tyler and his wife Susan live in a rammed earth house on 100 acres in the bush about seventy miles from Canberra, where they breed alpacas as a hobby.

Royall Tyler's previous works include Japanese Noh Dramas, a selection and translation of Noh plays published by Penguin; Japanese Tales and French Folktales, anthologies published by Pantheon; and The Miracles of the Kasuga Deity, a study of a medieval Japanese cult published by Columbia University Press.

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The Tale of Genji
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Tale of Genji

by Shikibu, Murasaki & Royall Tyler (Trans)

  • Used
  • near fine
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Near Fine
Edition
First Edition; First Printing
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780670030200
ISBN 10
0670030201
Quantity Available
1
Seller
DogStar Books
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$301.18
NZ$9.47 shipping to USA

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Description:
New York: Viking Press. Near Fine. 2001. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover 2 vols in slipcase. 0670030201 . Maps & b&w figures; Large 8vo 9" - 10" tall; 1200 pages; 2001 Viking Press. Two volume set in original color pictorial paper covered slipcase. 1st printing of this new translation by Royall Tyler. Both volumes tightly bound in fuscia colored cloth lettered and decorated in black. Feels and appears unread. No marks. Trace shelf evidence to slipcase. About as new. NF ... Oversize book likely to require additional charges for expedited or international shipping. .
Item Price
NZ$301.18
NZ$9.47 shipping to USA
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