Helpful Score: 1
Inspired by a true story of a Japanese Buddhist monk who burned down his own temple, this is a story that suffers in the telling. The main character, whose narcissistic perspective strangles the narrative, has had an unbeautiful life: bullied by his peers, held in disdain by his society for his imperfections, and witness to his mother's infidelity as his father lies dying. He becomes obsessed with the beauty of the temple.
Whether through the style of the writing or of the translation, this is a story that largely fails to engage, at least to a reader with an appreciation primarily for Continental and British literature. Others more familiar with Mishima's body of work, or Japanese and Asian literature taken as a whole may find it more appealing.
Whether through the style of the writing or of the translation, this is a story that largely fails to engage, at least to a reader with an appreciation primarily for Continental and British literature. Others more familiar with Mishima's body of work, or Japanese and Asian literature taken as a whole may find it more appealing.
