When you have written a review for the work you've read, add it to the review site below by:
- entering your name(title of book) in the first bar
- then adding the URL to your review in the second
Example:
Bellezza (Kafka On The Shore)
http://dolcebellezza.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/kafka-on-the-shore-2/
Blessings on your journey,
Here's to all the Japanophiles out there: I hope you have a wonderful time immersing yourselves in the sea of Japanese literature ;)
ReplyDeleteMy link is just a little taste of what I've been reading since the end of the last challenge...
I am very glad to see the challenge start again and to read the great posts it will generate.
ReplyDeleteYeaaa...I've been waiting for this challenge (^_^)v
ReplyDelete30% of my read is J-lit so this challenge excited me more than other challenge.
Yeehaa! June 1st has FINALLY arrived! Starting Silence (Shusaku Endo) today!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if anyone can recommend some Japanese horror fiction. Something like what Koji Suzuki writes or Koushun Takami (Battle Royale). Thanks!
ReplyDeleteColleen, I assume you've read Out by Natsuo Kirino. I'm not sure it would count as horror, but it is definitely "noir". Personally, I'm loving it now, and I'm about halfway through. Review coming soon.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have read Out and I too loved it. I read Kirino's second book as well, and thought it was awful. I go back and forth on whether or not to read the third...Scared to be so disappointed again.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, I'm definitely more in the mood for horror than noir. I just found out today how poor my local library's subject heading and key word systems are. All that was listed for Suzuki's Ring trilogy were: Viruses, AIDS, Cancer. Not helpful!!
Here's a page I found online suggesting some Japanese horror authors.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it occurs to me that The Woman in The Dunes is a rather scary novel about a man who's kept in a woman's trap. Have you read that book? I'll keep my eyes/ears out for more!
I just started reading Out, but it may take me a while to review it.
ReplyDeleteI love this challenge. I may not read the most Japanese literature (I think that distinction goes to Mel from The Reading Life) but I certainly have enjoyed what I've read in this genre. Bellezza, had it not been for the JLC3 I probably would never have read ANY Japanese literature--thank you!
Thanks for the link, Belleza!! I will check it out now.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I have read The Woman in the Dunes. It is horrifying, but I'm thinking more physical/psychological horror rather than existential horror. Mind, I hate Ryu Murakami.
Thanks again!
Colleen, I hope it's helpful.
ReplyDeleteSuko, Mel U deserves some kind of Grand Prize for reading more Japanese literature than I'd even dreamed had been written. As for the rest of us, I'm so glad that we're diving into this genre even if it is a bit slower. Thank you for your sweet words.
Another retrospective post to be getting on with: this is what happens when pets learn to type...
ReplyDeleteDear B, I'm on a blogging break but still reading, so definitely still in on the challenge. I'm starting Silence tonight and excited to be reading more Japanese lit in the coming months. (Is Ishiguro considered Japanese lit??) :) xo
ReplyDeleteClaire, I'm so glad that you're coming out of 'hibernation' ( and believe me, I get that!!!) for the JLC4. You would have been sorely missed if you didn't appear from time to time. I'm also going to read Silence for Tanabata's discussion, and yes, let's consider the British/Japanese Kishiguro more than acceptable for this challenge.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope to read Oe's book for your Non-structured Book read, as well. Will you be hosting that?
I am participating but do not see where I sign in. I haven't read a Japanese book yet so I can't enter my name above with title/revue of book.
ReplyDeleteCan you add me, please :)
Thank-you Meredith
I'm adding you right now, Madeleine! So glad you're participating again this year!!
ReplyDeleteI just finished "The Elegance of the hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery (french professor who teaches philosophy in Kyoto). It doesn't qualify as Japanese Literature but I think every fan of Japan culture&literature will love this book that I hope to review soon.
ReplyDeleteHi all. I'm new, not having done any of the previous challenges, but I do love Japanese literature (and crime fiction as well). So I'm looking forward to this.
ReplyDeleteI've just posted my first review! :)
ReplyDeleteHow many books am i supposed to read?
ReplyDeleteOh, and I accidentally signed on to the challenge in the review section. Sorry x3
ReplyDeleteHi, Nora, just one book is required. Of course, feel free to read as many as you like! I'm off to add you to the list of participants, glad you're joining!
ReplyDeleteA reflective post preceding my first real review for this challenge :)
ReplyDeletewell, I like the challenge and I promise to read more about japanese literature so I'll be here. Enter me please.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to be participating in this challenge for the first time: here is the link to my sign-up post. My first read will be a Banana Yoshimoto novel. Many thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteOfficially number one for this year :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome Parrish Lantern, Haku and Buried in Print!
ReplyDeleteTony, I loved your review so much I added Sanshiro by Sosheki (there's a tongue twister!) to the suggested book list.
Link Number 50 - Just giving a little something back to the challenge ;)
ReplyDeleteI've just entered "The Master Key," by Masako Togawa. It was written in 1962, but it's still a very good read.
ReplyDeleteahh Mr Linky! Why are you down when I want to use you!
ReplyDelete#61. Just entered Some Prefer Nettles by Tanizaki Junichirō. It's my first post here and my first book by this writer. I'm now reading his longer novel on the famous Makioka sisters.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cool idea! I'm really enjoying reading through all the awesome reviews!
ReplyDeleteI've got a bunch of my own at:
http://japaneseliterature.wordpress.com/
And I would be happy to plug and link to anyone else's reviews, if they would like. Cheers!
Not strictly Japanese literature, I know, but I'm sure plenty of the people here are interested in this one :)
ReplyDeleteIn a way, a Japanese battle of the sexes...
ReplyDeleteBlessing to you Bellezza. My first review and what a way to start the J-Lit with Hotel Iris! many more to come.
ReplyDelete'Quicksand' - simply outstanding :)
ReplyDeleteSputnik Sweetheart, a heartrending, sad romantic story. A different side of Murakami.
ReplyDeleteKitchen - thanks to all who have reviewed it in the past - I loved it.
ReplyDeleteBelleza, you are making an addict of me! Asleep was even better than Kitchen. I'm now on to "A Personal Matter," and can't wait to share that review soon. Thanks so much for putting this challenge together!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bellezza for allowing me to have a taste of such enjoyment.... I've just finished Kenzaburo Oe's Rouse Up O Young Men of the New Age! and what a poignant book. Just written a review on it and sent it to Mr. Link. I'm a late participant of your JLC, but glad I've finally got on!
ReplyDeleteWoo! I have FINALLY entered my first book. I know I'm late I'm just glad this challenge lasts for 6 months. I read The Housekeeper and the Professor a few weeks ago but only just got around to writing the review after some rather troublesome blogger's block.
ReplyDeleteThe trouble with reading excellent books is that anything I write about them seems to be so unworthy in comparison.
Three Natsume Soseki books so far this year (and more to come!)).
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding me to the list! I already got my list of Japanese-lit to read and can't wait to start!
ReplyDeleteFriends, I feel so badly that I haven't been commenting on your wonderful blog posts~I promise to amend the situation when I have the year properly begun in my classroom. Right now, twenty-six 8 year olds are consuming all my time and energy, but I'll be by soon! Thanks for the enthusiasm you bring tot he challenge!
ReplyDeleteHas anyone read The Silent Cry by Kenzaburo Oe? It's the one I have by him - whim buy as it was the first and only Oe I saw in the bookshop so I snatched it up without looking at it beyond the front cover. (Silly, I know.)
ReplyDeleteThanks Parish, it looks quite interesting and the writing within good but also quite heavy. Looking forward to it. I'm enjoying this challenge I've been stocking up on Japanese literature and have enjoyed everything so far.
ReplyDeleteJust finished reading Manazuru by Hiromi Kawakami, translated by Michael Emmerich,whose previous translations include Banana Yoshimoto and Taichi Yamada,if you like those authors Manazuru is well recommended.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful blog! I found you through Marie/The Boston Bibliophile.
ReplyDeleteThanks for running this challenge and giving me so many new names to look out for. I've just added a review of Hard-Boiled Wonderland, which looks to have been pretty popular this year.
ReplyDeleteShort(s) and sweet ;)
ReplyDelete#114. The Makioka Sisters by Tanizaki.
ReplyDeleteI'm 118- read The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami. Loving this challenge, hope to find some new authors and do some more reading!
ReplyDeleteFinally! I reviewed Real World. I read it several months ago, but had such a hard time reviewing it. I think the nihilism really got to me.
ReplyDeleteI think I have just posted about the most popular book in this year's Challenge. So sorry.
ReplyDeleteAm hoping the next one will be less so.
Here's another post of JL, written in English this time, by the great master Kazuo Ishiguro: Never Let Me Go. I've included the movie review as well. Thanks for the chance to share good books and great movies!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the interview of Murakami's translator. Very revealing!
ReplyDeleteYet another catch-up post (three Japanese novels in the past week!) :)
ReplyDeleteA last minute entry, on Kakuzo Okakura's The Book of Tea, just linked. I'm going to write more aboutthe book tomorrow, too.
ReplyDeleteKawabata's Snow Country is my last entry to JLC 4 for 2010. Thanks for the opportunity for me to read great books and write meaningful posts. Have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year, Bellezza!
ReplyDeleteBellezza: My contribution is more of an historical account than literature, though it is also a partial memoir of a crucial time in Japanese and American history that I thought readers might be interested in.
ReplyDeleteBook Bird Dog
I justed posted a review of Kitchen by Yoshimoto. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy japanese literature, this blog is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteNumber 10 for this year's challenge - I may fit in one or two more before the end of January :)
ReplyDeleteIn the chaos of the last 8 months or so, I lost track of posting my Japanese reads here. I just added three!
ReplyDeleteThanks again for hosting this, Bellezza!
My first Oe - superb, as expected :)
ReplyDeleteI just posted a review of Yoshimoto's Goodbye Tsugumi.
ReplyDeleteI have posted my review of Silence by Shusaku Endo.
ReplyDelete#176. I reviewed Kafka on the Shore by Murakami.
ReplyDeleteMy Junichiro Tanizaki "Quicksand" review is up!
ReplyDeleteThe last one for JLC4 :(
ReplyDeleteMy wrap-up post for JLit 4 Bellezza. I look forward for the next one this year.
ReplyDeletearigato gozaimasu for hosting this Bellezza. Love it! :)