**An abridged edition of the world's first novel, in a translation that
is "likely to be the definitive edition . . . for many years to come"
(The Wall Street Journal)
**
The inspiration behind The Metropolitan Museum of Art's "The Tale of
Genji A Japanese Classic Illuminated" -- Now through June 16 at The Met
Fifth Avenue
**A Penguin Classic
**
Written in the eleventh century, this exquisite portrait of courtly life
in medieval Japan is widely celebrated as the world's first novel--and
is certainly one of its finest. Genji, the Shining Prince, is the son of
an emperor. He is a passionate character whose tempestuous nature,
family circumstances, love affairs, alliances, and shifting political
fortunes form the core of this magnificent epic.
Royall Tyler's superior translation is detailed, poetic, and superbly
true to the Japanese original while allowing the modern reader to
appreciate it as a contemporary treasure. In this deftly abridged
edition, Tyler focuses on the early chapters, which vividly evoke Genji
as a young man and leave him at his first moment of triumph. This
edition also includes detailed notes, glossaries, character lists, and
chronologies.