Customer Reviews

Botchan

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4 star:		(8)
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2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Lighthearted. Fast moving. Hilarious. These are not adjectives usually associated with classic Japanese literature or with Natsume Soseki, an author whose image graces the 1,000 yen note in Japan. Soseki's intense novel "Kokoro" (which translates as "heart" or "spirit") is famed for its insight into the Japanese soul. But he was a young man once too, who laughed and loved and mocked, and this early comic novel is no less penetrating for its sense of humor.

"Botchan" is the classic City Mouse tale. Botchan is a Tokyo boy, through and through. Lazy, unmotivated, and spoiled by the housekeeper who raised him, he suddenly finds himself needing to make his own way in the world when his father dies and his older brother inherits the fortune. Thinking school is easier than work, Botchan takes his brother's offer to pay his way through university. Life is good so far, but even Botchan must graduate, and he finds himself educated and assigned as a middle school teacher in a rural town in the island of Shikoku, Japan's most rural island. Arrogant and sure of his superiority over the hicks, Botchan quickly runs afoul of the locals and winds up in a merry war with both students and co-teachers.

Reminiscent of the best of Mark Twain's yarns, "Botchan" is layers upon layers of wit and hijinks. A short, snappy novel, the narrator's own self-assurance blinds him from the mechanisms against him that are so obvious to the reader. All the townspeople are pure characters, each with their own Botchan-given nickname such as "Porcupine," "The Hanger-on" or "Redshirt." Twined into the story is Botchan's protective elderly maid, Kiyo, who's blind support and admiration of Botchan only feeds his swelled ego, yet adds a touching element of humanity to the tale.

Added to all this is Soseki's brilliant insight into the Japanese school system. Over 100 years later, little has changed and I laughed out loud as Botchan experienced things that I experience every day as a teacher at a Japanese high school. To see a Japanese person, especially one as revered as Soseki, voicing the very thoughts in my head is an absolute pleasure. Anyone wanting an authentic insiders look into Japanese society and culture would do much better laying down their copy of "The Enigma of Japanese Power" and picking up a copy of "Botchan."

J. Cohn's translation is perfect, preserving both the humor and the insight, and manages to portray the class differences of the Tokyo and Shikoku dwellers without resorting to cheap tricks like using Southern US accents and such. He must have a great sense of humor himself, and I look forward to more translations from him.

Insightful and penetrating, a window behind the hidden doors of Japan, "Botchan" is also hands-down the most entertaining Japanese novel I have ever read. Highly, highly recommended.

In every country, people treasure certain images of themselves, whether they are accurate or not. In general, among numerous peoples like the Chinese, Japanese, French, Russians, or English, there are so many personality types as to make such images totally stereotypical. In real life, we have to take people as we find them, not stick them into boxes. But in literature, from time to time, an author creates a character that so pleases the readers---perhaps because they identify with him so much---that he (the character) is immediately assigned a place in the national pantheon. BOTCHAN, the title character of the novel of the same name, is one of them. Created by Natsume Soseki in the early years of the 20th century, Botchan still delights each subsequent generation with his honest, sincere naiveté. He is a young Japanese man who may not understand much of what's happening around him, but he stands by his simple principles, dispensing with all unnecessary formality, falseness, and fakery. In a society where politesse, social obligation and a certain measure of conformity are highly stressed, it must be a pleasure to read the tale of a young man who says what he thinks, refuses to behave politely, and consistently acts as he decides best. If he is not much of a rebel by American or European standards, he is a much beloved "straight shooter" by tighter Japanese measure. This book has been popular in Japan since its first publication and I would guess the reason is that Botchan's behavior mirrors what Japanese would 'like to be' more than the way they actually are. The rough diamond is a stock character in Japanese films and television shows from Mifune Toshiro's many "scungy-but-good hearted" samurai to the wildly-popular Tora-san.

Westerners may not find much of a plot in BOTCHAN, but it is amusing, well-written, and enjoyable. It is a window on an older Japan far from bullet trains and animated violence. It is the story of a new young teacher in an isolated provincial town. I strongly recommend it for anyone, young or old. Botchan is one of those characters who will live forever in world literature.

This book is an international literary classic that gives readers in other cultures the opportunity to percieve the Japanese culture. It is the story of one arrogant, rash young man who seeks to go into teaching and discovers the world of burocracy and politics. Tied up in the story line are the fundamental Japanese values of honor, loyalty, efficiency and obedience. A delight for any reader seeking greater knowledge of their culture.

Soseki is a literary figure of such importance in Japan, his face appears on the 1000 yen note. This book is almost universally considered to be among the most important works of Japanese literature of all time. But don't let that turn you away from this book. It's not biographical, but considering that Soseki lived and worked in conditions he wrote about, the story has a sense of reality and understanding that others often lack. Soseki's main character is the ultimate embodiment of the "ugly outsider." As a member of urban high society, his sophisticated sensitivities are constantly assaulted by the coarse nature of the rural lifestyle and people that surround him. An effectual foreigner, he is constantly reminded that he is a fish out of water, often in a humorous way. A highly recommended book if you are planning on living and working in Japan, or to anyone who is feeling like an outsider. You may find a kindred spirit, as well as inspiration to reevaluate your situation.

Botchan is the third book I've read of Soseki's, and it was fun to read about the adventures and mishaps (mostly mishaps) that Botchan encounters in this tale. Botchan is a fun, quick read that shows off Soseki's sense of humor and wit.

This having been said, it seems prudent to remember that Soseki himself said that Botchan should not be considered a Japanese "ideal." His naivete and straight-forwardness are no match for the calculated actions that get him and others ousted from the school. With the final, humorous pummeling of Red-shirt and Clown, Soseki seems to be warning the reader that however heroic Botchan might be, his victories are hollow ones. After all, Red-shirt might be left with a black eye, but he has gotten rid of his enemies and he is presumably left also with "Madonna" and a higher salary (the salaries of Botchan, Porcupine, and Green Squash have to go somewhere, as hinted by Red-shirt midway through the book). So in the end, the bad guy gets the woman and the money and the good guy gets the slow boat home. Not exactly the ideal situation for a hero.

The good news is that Botchan doesn't seem to realize that he's won the battle but lost the war. Unlike other Soseki characters that have to undergo hardship in order to gain wisdom (Sensei in Kokoro comes to mind), it is hard to see Botchan really getting anything out of his experience in Shikoku. Of course though, ignorance is bliss.

If Botchan is your first experience with Soseki, give "Kokoro" a try ... it is a much more serious book, but many of the same themes appear. If you've read some of Soseki's later work but not Botchan, definitely take the time to read it. Having experienced the themes of suffering and guilt that are so prevalent in his later works, you'll probably be able to enjoy Botchan's light humor even more.

Either way, Botchan is a fun read, and a different, informal facet of Soseki that the reader does not normally get to see.

I'm the writer of the 2nd review. I came back here just to remind readers who are interested in reading the English translation of Natsume Soseki's masterpiece BOTCHAN: MAKE SURE THE ONE YOU GET IS THE ALAN TURNEY TRANSLATION PUBLISHED BY KODANSHA INTERNATILNAL!!!!!

Why bother writing another review? Well, I think the 4th review written by Mr. Patrick Robbins may mislead readers buying a terrible translation. Judging from what Mr. Robbins wrote, "but this translation dates from the Twenties or so", the terrible translation he wrote about should be the one by Umeji Sasaki dates back to 1922 published by Tuttle. I know that one and it is horribly terrible. In fact, there are also other English translations but none can compare with the Alan Turney translation. Make sure you get the right one!

This was the first Natsume Soseki novel I read and I though that it was quite an entertaining read. The Hero of the story is a Tokyoite named Botchan. Not one to really care about the feelings of others, Botchan displays his feelings openly and is ready for a fight all the time. After graduating the scholl of physics Botchan heads to one of Japan's southern islands to teach mathematics. He dislikes the place immediately and compares it with his home Tokyo through out the book. He nicknames all of his fellow teachers and superiors: names such as Redshirt, the Clown, and The Badger. Well to put a long story short Botchan runs into many difficulties with his fellow teachers and students, and ends up in many comic situations. There is a bit of Racism on page 138, but one must take it in context of the book, and understand that this book was written in the year 1906. The only reason that this book did not receive 5 stars because there really is no plot, just good fun.

I read this novel in Japanese first, then I tried Alan Turney's English version. I think Alan did a very good job. He translated Natsume Soseki's masterpiece faithfully and humourously. If you cannot read Japanese, try Alan Turney's English version. You can enjoy this novel (in English) as well as Japanese people do (in Japanese)!

This is a very simple and quick read. Nothing world shattering inside, but as it`s assigned the status of most popular book in Japan, it`s a must for anyone with the slightest interest in things Japanese. Although short, the characters are well-developed. The protagonist is neither hero, nor anti-hero, rather human, and very likeable because of this. Herein probably lies the key to its popularity. The only shame is the ending, which I liken to a 1980`s Honda City. That was car that had a really abrupt rear hatch and looked as if the company had run out of money after designing a perfectly acceptable front and middle part. Same goes for this book. It just ends, and the final threads are tied in one-line sentences. Not the greatest analogy in the world, but it gives you the general idea. Botchan, the hatchback of the literary world. Made for the whole family, easy to drive, not too meaty, but just drops off at the back.

"Botchan" is named for the main character of the book, a school teacher who accepts a job in a country side town teaching a bunch of teenagers. Botchan's encounters with the people around him produce some interesting escapades and results, all very amusing and humorous.

A lot of the humour is carried in the names that Botchan assigns the different people around him. Those with little knowledge of Japanese meanings for names will still be ok, as the Introduction provides an adequate explanation for us. The vice principal is called "Badger" by Botchan, and the name fits the character like a glove. Other names are equally suitable, as is even Botchan's. Botchan's very direct and openly honest approach is certainly out of step with those around him

The translation has been executed exceptionally well, and hangs together as if the book had been written by a native-speaker of English. There are only a couple of points at which I noticed something unusual about the language. Overall, the English is contemporary and very well written.

"Botchan" is simply just good fun to read, though it also serves as an indictment on the attitudes and world in which Soseki lived. Some of those criticisms that Botchan levels at people would still apply equally well today.

This book is definitely a little different, but it has a lot to offer. I enjoyed it all the way through, and had a good giggle in places.