The Tale of Genji

"The Tale of Genji was completed in the early 11th century and is one of the oldest — perhaps the oldest — novel in the world. It was written by a Japanese empress’s lady in waiting known as Murasaki Shikibu, in Heian-kyō (Kyoto). Quite a lot is known about the author, who also wrote a diary and a volume of poetic memoirs, including her high level of education and relatively late marriage. The amazing thing is how readable The Tale of Genji is for us now, over a thousand years later. The book follows the life of Genji, a prince, and is a wonderful long read — a psychological novel that not only describes life at court in Heian Japan (794-1185) but also explores universal themes including love and power. The first part of the novel is Genji’s success story, interspersed with scandal and exile. He starts out quite smug, but becomes more likeable with adversity and age. The second section emphasises the fragility of human lives and relationships. The final part is about Genji’s male descendants and the women they court. This section largely deals with how it feels to be a woman, to be entirely dependent on men, and with that the mood gets increasingly dark. There is much sadness in the novel, but plenty of enjoyment of the beautiful things in life. The prose is interspersed with poems and constantly appeals to the senses: nature; the seasons; attention to gardens, trees and blossoms; scents; the perfuming of robes; the colour combinations of layers of clothing; all-night music; parties and food. There are far fewer references to jealousy than one might expect in a story in which the characters constantly seek to assure their position (or that of their children) at court. Instead, the characters’ appreciation of beauty seems really genuine. The novel is known for being about Genji’s many love affairs, but the overarching theme is the transience of life."