Cinque donne amorose

This was a delicious, funny, and extremely easy to read collection of short stories (especially considering its age, since writings which are several hundreds of years old can be stuffy). It was interesting for me to discover a bit from the lore and values of the emerging Japanese middle class or bo Leggi tutto

I always say this, but the Japanese literature isn't for most people's taste and I don't think I'll ever comfortably recommend them to my friends, since they might read it and think "what is wrong with Lilly's taste?!". When I started this book, it was very confusing and I was constantly comparing it Leggi tutto

this book was honestly so strange.

I recommend reading Richard Lane’s essay on these five stories first, which is at the end of this edition. Saikaku’s protagonists are five women who are ultimately condemned for their amorous pursuits. Lane’s essay provides historical background and a bundle of context for each, and suggests the aut Leggi tutto

First two stories left little to no impression. But the three last ones are the ones who deserved the stars. And beside the simple and yet fun short little stories, there's lots of interesting facts about those-days Japan, culture, religion, traditions.

These 17th century cautionary tales of love and eroticism featured both heterosexual and gay lovers. Their exploits would have felt at home on the pages of “The Tale of Genji” except for a lack of princes and palaces. The introduction explains that the author came from Osaka, a city populated with m Leggi tutto

Drammatico ed esagerato, non può annoiare.

I enjoyed these fascinating 17th century stories of young women who dangerously violate Japanese feudal law in pursuit of love and sex.