4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love and Loyalty and Loss, June 17, 2008
This review is from: Kokoro (Dover Books on Literature & Drama) (Paperback)
All of these are themes found in Japanese art, and all have a home in "Kokoro." Kokoro translates to heart or soul or spirit, and this book does justice to its title. Inside this slim volume is a testament of spirit, of youth and age, of man and woman, of ancient and modern juxtapositions of kokoro. What is love? What is friendship? What is responsibility?
The writing style is slow and delicate, with a precise economy of ideas and words. The translation is excellent, lending credible authenticity to the language. The Ideas, of course, need little interpretation as they are human in nature, and can be understood by all. Small cultural notes, such as the important suicide of General Nogi, are wisely footnoted and explained to deepen understanding of the narrative.
The simple story of Sensei, his wife, the young man and his family lay a basic framework upon which to weave the emotions that are the true focus.
Overall, while a book with an extremely Japanese flavor, it does transcend the barriers and gets at the inner life, the kokoro.
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2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Reading, May 12, 2007
This review is from: Kokoro (Dover Books on Literature & Drama) (Paperback)
The writer gives not so much precise and graphic details but sensitive, poignant and "to the point" narration that leaves the readers satisfied nonetheless. He narration gives realistic and intimate account of mediocre people in despair.
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