Review: The Lake

The Lake by Yasunari Kawabata
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow. Is it just my impression or is this very different from every other Kawabata book?

The story is about a stalker, who can't help himself in stalking. His life is pretty much ruined, but it doesn't seem to bother him, seeing as how he is obsessed finding a woman and following her, waiting in ditches and wasting all this time and spending money in order to do so.

I can't tell if the stalking stemmed from an event (no spoilers!) having to do with a prostitute, but regardless, this was different from what I expected.

By all means read this, just know that it is not your typical Yasunari Kawabata novel.




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Review: The Rainbow

The Rainbow by Yasunari Kawabata
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As always, Kawabata takes me to a time and place I never knew, but I seem to feel nostalgic for nevertheless. The change going on in society in palpable. Although, with this book it seemed like he was trying to do much more. The complicated relationship between 3 sisters with three different mothers, in addition to how they feel about themselves, death of a family member in war, death by suicide, miscarriage, etc.

This makes me wonder if there was more going on in his other books that I just didn't pick up on.


Regardless, a great read.



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Review: The Old Capital

The Old Capital by Yasunari Kawabata
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another excellent story by Kawabata, showing a changing Japan and its people. I must say the ending seemed a bit abrupt and unsatisfying, but I'm sure that's due to my expectations. 

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