Most Helpful Customer Reviews
88 of 90 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Tale of Three Genjis, September 17, 2002
A longtime admirer of Murasaki Shikibu's exceptional work, I fell in love with Genji first through Arthur Waley's translation, which made this admittedly exotic novel accessible to non-Japanese readers. Curious to know more about the Heian period and culture, I acquired Ivan Morris's tremendously helpful and readable "The World of the Shining Prince." Then I discovered Edward Seidensticker's superb rendering of "The Tale of Genji," and have read and re-read that version with deepening understanding and enjoyment. Seidensticker, while presumably adhering closer to the language of the original (which even modern Japanese find difficult to read), gave us a translation which is perfumed by the sensuous beauty of what must have been a truly refined and special time and place (albeit a very limited one). Now comes Royall Tyler's superb effort, which comes with myriad and very helpful details: each chapter starts with an explanation of the chapter title, how the section relates to previous chapters and the cast of characters. There are also generous appendices including a chronology of events in the novel and a glossary. Line drawings throughout the two volumes (also present in Seidensticker) provide helpful visual clues as to dress and architecture. Tyler's effort seems even closer to the original language, and thereby lies the problem. This version unnecessarily burdens the reader with ever-changing nomenclature. Since in the original characters are known by their rank-names, and Tyler (mostly) adheres to this usage, the reader is challenged to keep up with the changes. Put the book down for a day or two and you will feel quite lost for several minutes when you restart. As an aide, the translator does provide footnotes to clue you in, but this just makes things more awkward and tedious. For example, at the start of Chapter 43, "Red Plum Blossom" in Tyler's version: "There was in those days a gentleman known as the Inspector Grand Counselor, the late Chancellor's second son, hence the younger brother of the Intendant of the Watch (1)" This same sentence in Seidensticker reads: "Kobai, the oldest surviving son of the late To no Chujo, was now Lord Inspector." How much more to the point! To conclude, while Tyler's translation is awesome in its scholarship and abundant detail (including sources of the poetry), it is also much less readable. To my mind, the scholarship gets in the way of the story telling. I found myself longing for my Seidensticker at many turns as I went dutifully through the Tyler. Aside from providing a more continuous flow to the story, I also found that Seidensticker's translation of the many poems in the tale more comprehensible and lyrical. If you are new to this literary masterpiece, you will find the Waley translation the most accessible. If you get hooked on the work, you will probably want the other two. If you must have only one version, however, go with Seidensticker.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
126 of 133 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Is this the greatest novel of all time?, November 20, 2001
If you are reading this it is probably because you have enjoyed Liza Dalby's "Tale of Murasaki" and are wondering if you can handle something of this size. Or perhaps you are already familiar with the scintillating Waley or Seidensticker translations (also worth acquiring and reading) and curious as to why Tyler has even bothered to produce another one. In fact, even in Japan there have been several recent attempts to render the obscure language of the Heian Court into modern Japanese. Junichiro Tanizaki, for example, managed the feat twice. With such a precedent Tyler therefore, perhaps, needs no justification. Anyway, what you need to know is that the new translation surpasses Seidensticker's in being faithful to the poetic economy of Murasaki's prose (though "economy" here still leaves room for some marvellously glutinous, clause-laden sentences) and even succeeds in maintaining the shifting identities of the characters (which change when they receive promotion within the court) without leaving the reader lost. There are also some wonderful and irreverent moments, such as when Tyler has the libidinous Genji complain "I'm not out for hanky panky; all I want to do is sit for a while on her creaky veranda." But the main thing is that this translation is utterly absorbing, wonderfully readable, and as difficult to put down as many a bestselling novel I have come across. It will guarantee around two months of enjoyment to those who like a good psychological story and therefore represents excellent value, even in hardback. For me personally it is simply the best novel I have read and I recommend this translation without any reservations.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a classic novel graced by an extraordinary translation, July 27, 2002
In the late 1960s, I had the good fortune to be at the University of Michigan while Edward Seidensticker was both teaching there and working on his translation of the "Tale of Genji." Like the other graduate students in Japanese Studies, I spent countless hours listening to Seidentsticker sing the praises of this literary classic and discuss the complexities of trying to translate it. I came away from that experience with a lifelong interest in Heian-period (794-1185) literature and a conviction that no Westerner would ever be ambitious and talented enough to better Seidensticker's work. That conviction, however, has now been upset by Royall Tyler, the Australian professor whose own translation debuted last year. There are many reasons to acquire and read this newest translation of the "Genji," even if, and possibly particularly if, you already have the Seidensticker version. One is that the classical Japanese language of poetry and prose was so highly allusive. It had numerous layers of meaning, a phenomenon that has allowed and indeed led translators to render it with different emphases in mood and meaning. These layered meanings pose a particular challenge for the translator who seeks to find economical ways of rendering the Japanese into English while preserving the spirit of what the Heian-period reader would have taken from the original. This challenge Tyler has dealt with exceptional success. Another significant reason for acquiring and carefully poring over Tyler's new rendering of "The Genji" is the array of aids that he provides for reading a novel of such length and complexity. Each chapter opens with a brief description of how it relates to earlier portions of the text as well as a list of the characters involved. The text is enhanced but not overburdened by footnotes which provide information on additional layers of meaning in certain phrases, references to earlier Japanese and Chinese literary works, and clarifications regarding the plot. The appendices also merit special praise: they provide a chronology for the events described, a glossary of general terms, schematic drawings of Heian-period buildings, a glossary of terms related to fabric colors and clothing styles, and definitions of court offices and titles. Finally, numerous black-and-white line drawings--in many cases not accessible elsewhere in English-language sources--are placed within the text, helping to explain the material culture of Heian court society. All told, Tyler's newest adventure in translating is a tour de force. It is a joy to read and is a resource that will enrich the studies of those thousands upon thousands of Westerners eager to learn about classical Japanese culture.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
