Weave Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Title of book: The Gate Name of Author: Natsume Sōseki ISBN-10: 0720612500 ISBN-13: 978-0720612509 Number of pages: 224 pages The Gate describes the everyday world of the humble clerk Sosuke and his wife Oyone, living in quiet obscurity in a house at the bottom of a cliff. Seemingly cursed with the inability to have children, the couple find themselves having to take responsibility for Sosuke’s younger brother Koroku. Oyone s health begins to fail, and news that her estranged ex-husband will be visiting nearby finally promotes a sense of crisis in Sosuke and forces him temporarily to quit his life of quiet domesticity. Natsume Sōseki passed away in December 1916 and his books are still making an impact now. ‘The Gate’ tells the story of Sosuke and Oyone, a middle aged couple who unfortunately have been ex-communicated due to their relationship (Oyone was married previously). The story explores Sosuke and Oyone relationship, a relationship which initially began in passion but as the years have went by has became something more, something they both cherish very much in a quiet but loving manner. Everything changes when Sosuke’s younger Koroku moves in with Sosuke and Oyone, they are faced with another face from their past, Koroku does not respect Sosuke because of the life he left behind to be with Oyone. ‘The Gate’ is about love, family, religion and finding your place in the world, Sosuke feels he has lost his place in the world and tries to change it. ‘The Gate’ is truly a beautiful book, Natsume Sōseki’s description of Japanese life is written beautifully, and his descriptions of their surroundings are breathtaking. A lovely book that makes you thinks. Rating: 10/10 Natsume Sōseki (9 February 1867 - 9 December 1916) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbel Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 I really enjoyed your review Gyre, I've been recently thinking I would like to read some Japanese literature and Natsume Soseki is one of the authors I'm most interested in. I will have to add this book to my TBR pile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted August 10, 2008 Author Share Posted August 10, 2008 Thanks shelbel:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.