Maria

Another beautiful book is "The Tale of Murasaki", by Liza Dalby. I must admit I haven't read the classic "The tale of Genji" yet, but I enjoyed how Dalby brings to life the poetess Murasaki, who invented the "shining prince". The young Murasaki is fascinated by the Court life, the intrigues, politics, fashions and gossip she hears about only through her father. Being a lonely girl, she invents the prince Genji and his adventures. When her father and his family is sent to a desolate Northern province of Japan, Murasaki's Genji to her becomes like a friend who helps her through times of isolation and sorrow. Her friends back at home, to whom she sends the tales of Genji, share them with more and more people and they become a great success at Court. Murasaki's dream of a life at the Court becomes true... Murasaki lived in the 11th Century (Heian period) and (I think) "The Tale of Genji" is the first novel ever written. Liza Dalby has written another book, Geisha, I haven't yet read. Currently I am reading "Life of an Amorous man", by Saikaku Ihara (1641-93). His stories about the restless young Yonosuke and his adventures in the pleasure districts and in taverns are quite different from the stories about Court life and Samurai, but also very intriguing and fun to read. I am new to the Forum and I already got a lot of inspirations about more authors and books. It is so nice to hear from others who share the same like for this genre.

Gioconda Belli - I'd like to know if there is anybody here, who has read her books. I first read her poetry, then The country under my skin. In this book the Nicaraguan writer remembers her life, as a poet, revolutioner and woman during the difficult times before, during and after the fall of the Somoza regime. A splendid book, not only because she brings the political, historical and social aspects close to us, but she gets under the reader's skin with her personal experiences as a woman who fights for her integrity as much as for her country. I also liked the two novels I read: The inhabited woman, her first novel and The scroll of seduction, in part historical novel about the Spanish Queen Juana the mad. Next I will try to read Sofia de los presagios in Spanish (I haven't found a translation into English yet). Maria

One of my favorites: Laura Joh Rowland I am reading The Snow Empress now, the twelfth novel in her series featuring Sano Ichiro, Samurai detective and his wife Reiko. The stories, very beautifully written, are set in the Genroku Period. Political Intrigues, mystery, the social life of this period and more. The first book in the series is: Shinju www.laurajohrowland.com Then there is the classic Robert V. Gulik, with his series of Chinese detective stories. A historian, V. Gulik is true to the style and details of the classic Chinese detective stories, but makes it easy for us moderns to follow the story. Maria There are so many books in this genre I read, I'll try to remember the authors and titles for you. Two of them I loved especially: "Kagami", written by Elizabeth Kata. Kata tells us the story of three generations of a Japanese family, beginning in the mid of the 19th century and ending with the terrible earthquake in 1923. In this very delicate time Japan's opening to the western world changes the way of life of the people and following the story of the protagonists, we learn about how it effected their circumstances, relationships, thoughts and feelings. Cloud of Sparrows, by Takashi Matsuoka This is a fascinating story, too. It is set in the same period like Kata's story, but from different viewpoints. Maybe more like a Japanese version of "SHOGUN", by James Clavell. Sharing your love for this kind of books, I hope I was able to give you some inspiration . Maria