Author: Soseki Natsume
Publisher: Tuttle
Publication Date: 2011 (1909)
Pages: 246
Format: Paperback
Genre: Modern Classics
Source: Gift
Daisuke, the protagonist, is a man in his twenties who is struggling with his personal purpose and identity as well as the changing social landscape of Meiji-era Japan. As Japan enters the Twentieth Century, ancient customs give way to western ideals, and Daisuke works to resolve his feelings of disconnection and abandonment during this time of change. Thanks to his father's wealth, Daisuke has the luxury of having time to develop his philosophies and ruminate on their meaning while remaining intellectually aloof from traditional Japanese culture and the demands of growing industrialization.
Then Daisuke's life takes an unexpected turn when he is reunited with his college friend and his sickly wife. At first, Daisuke's stoicism allows him to act according to his intellect, but his intellectual fortress begins to show its vulnerabilities as his emotions start to hold greater sway over his inner life. Daisuke must now weigh his choices in a culture that has always operated on the razor's edge of societal obligation and personal freedom.
And Then is another stunning work from Soseki Natsume. It's both an excellent psychological character study and a compelling look at the divide that occurred in Japan at the turn of the last century as old customs competed with modernisation/westernisation. This is a flowing, well executed translation and I was caught up in Daisuke's story right from the start. Recommended for fans of Japanese fiction and of early twentieth century literary fiction in general. I am keen to continue reading more of Soseki Nastume's works available in translation.
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