The novel describes the heroine Etsuko who sticks to her chastity and never marries again after the death of her husband. Soon Etsuko secretly fell in love with the young and strong gardener Saburo, and planned to live a happy life with him. After their love was discovered by her father-in-law, the heroine was very distressed. In the end, she could not maintain this love, so she beat her beloved Saburo to death with a shovel. The novel is an extremely important pure literary novel.
Reader comments
It talks about the sorrow of human nature very well. After I read it, I told the synopsis of the plot to my mother and sister, and everyone thought the heroine was crazy. Judging from the appearance, she is indeed crazy. If you don't know the suffering, torture and even ravage she has suffered, you will think that a person is crazy for no reason.
Hunger for love, these appearances, the heroine's resistance that seems to be a lunatic act show her hunger for love, but maybe she was not so crazy about love from the beginning, and she actually didn't even have that much desire for love.
Etsuko herself is sensitive and has low self-esteem, which slowly turns into paranoia and madness, pushing her into the abyss as an "accomplice". She has been ignored, indifferent, and hardened so much that she mistakenly regards other people's kindness or intimacy as her own rescue. This is very common among people who have been neglected and socially isolated for a long time. Anxious attachment, seeking approval, taking care of her husband who is suffering from a serious illness, and self-degrading "careless" interactions with her father-in-law have consumed too much of her conscience, dignity and emotions, so she felt such a breeze blowing on her face when she met Saburo in the sunshine on the field. That's why she was so collapsed and frightened after discovering that Saburo was so different from the imaginary image in her mind.
The atmosphere at the beginning of the book is deeply rooted in people's hearts. Post-war Japan is empty, cold, and has broken rituals and music. Everyone is anxious and unable to care about others. Etsuko was constrained by her family and class, unable to enter society to seek self-realization, and eventually broke out in emotional distortion. Overall, this is both a personal tragedy and a tragedy created by the times.
Mishima's literature is a set of texts that challenge the ultimate challenge of life. His writing always dances between the two poles of human nature - beauty and ugliness, love and hate, life and death, love and hatred, as well as ideals and collapse, sublimity and humility, sincerity and deception, nurturing and killing...
This book allowed me to see the complexity of human nature and the many sides of love. I especially like the character Etsuko, her conflicts and struggles make me empathize with her. The plot of the story is gripping, especially the emotional development of Etsuko and Saburo, which made me worried about the fate of the protagonist. Mishima Yukio's writing is delicate and profound, making me immersed in the story and unable to extricate myself. Recommended to friends who like to think deeply about love.
Very good description of scenery
Etsuko's thoughts are so wonderful and decisive, and she can truly deceive herself.
I still don't understand some parts
It makes sense in a plot that is far beyond reality
It's admirable to be able to write such extreme things.
The characterization is very good, as are the details.
If the suppressed emotions are not released, they will explode in the future, tearing open the skin and flesh of the person.
It talks about the sorrow of human nature very well. After I read it, I told the synopsis of the plot to my mother and sister, and everyone thought the heroine was crazy. Judging from the appearance, she is indeed crazy. If you don't know the suffering, torture and even ravage she has suffered, you will think that a person is crazy for no reason. Hunger for love, these appearances, the heroine's resistance that seems to be a lunatic act show her hunger for love, but maybe she was not so crazy about love from the beginning, and she actually didn't even have that much desire for love. Etsuko herself is sensitive and has low self-esteem, which slowly turns into paranoia and madness, pushing her into the abyss as an "accomplice". She has been ignored, indifferent, and hardened so much that she mistakenly regards other people's kindness or intimacy as her own rescue. This is very common among people who have been neglected and socially isolated for a long time. Anxious attachment, seeking approval, taking care of her husband who is suffering from a serious illness, and self-degrading "careless" interactions with her father-in-law have consumed too much of her conscience, dignity and emotions, so she felt such a breeze blowing on her face when she met Saburo in the sunshine on the field. That's why she was so collapsed and frightened after discovering that Saburo was so different from the imaginary image in her mind. The atmosphere at the beginning of the book is deeply rooted in people's hearts. Post-war Japan is empty, cold, and has broken rituals and music. Everyone is anxious and unable to care about others. Etsuko was constrained by her family and class, unable to enter society to seek self-realization, and eventually broke out in emotional distortion. Overall, this is both a personal tragedy and a tragedy created by the times.
Mishima's literature is a set of texts that challenge the ultimate challenge of life. His writing always dances between the two poles of human nature - beauty and ugliness, love and hate, life and death, love and hatred, as well as ideals and collapse, sublimity and humility, sincerity and deception, nurturing and killing...
This book allowed me to see the complexity of human nature and the many sides of love. I especially like the character Etsuko, her conflicts and struggles make me empathize with her. The plot of the story is gripping, especially the emotional development of Etsuko and Saburo, which made me worried about the fate of the protagonist. Mishima Yukio's writing is delicate and profound, making me immersed in the story and unable to extricate myself. Recommended to friends who like to think deeply about love.
Very good description of scenery Etsuko's thoughts are so wonderful and decisive, and she can truly deceive herself. I still don't understand some parts It makes sense in a plot that is far beyond reality It's admirable to be able to write such extreme things. The characterization is very good, as are the details.
If the suppressed emotions are not released, they will explode in the future, tearing open the skin and flesh of the person.