Kokoro by Natsume Soseki: Book Cover
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Kokoro by Natsume Soseki, Edwin McClellan (Translator)

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(Paperback)

  • Pub. Date: August 2006
  • 208pp
  • Sales Rank: 71,582

    Reader Rating: (27 ratings)

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    Product Details

    • Pub. Date: August 2006
    • Publisher: Dover Publications
    • Format: Paperback, 208pp
    • Sales Rank: 71,582

    Synopsis

    A nineteenth-century Japanese novel concerned with man's loneliness in the modern world.

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    Biography

    Natsume Soseki (1867-1916) is widely considered the foremost novelist of the Meiji era.
    Meredith McKinney is the translator of the Penguin Classics editions of The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon and Natsume Soseki's Kusamakura. She teaches in Japan Centre at the Australian National University.

    Customer Reviews

    Kokuro, a classicby Quinton.W

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    November 10, 2008: What is the true nature of human beings? Kokuro, by Natsume Soseki, explores the answer to this question. ?Give a gentlemen money, and he will soon turn into a rouge.? ;( Soseki, 64) this is the opinion of a man known as Sensei, who lives in the Meiji era doing nothing with his life. The narrator of this book is a young man determined to learn about sensei?s past. I recommend this book because it is an engaging story with realistic characters.
    One of Kokuro?s strengths is that it has realistic characters. A character in the book, after being betrayed by someone close to them, develops trust issues. `I had come to distrust people?.? (Soseki, 150) Characters in the book react realistically to things in the story. This is a believable narrative. Some reactions may surprise you, but they are not without merit.
    Another of Kokuro?s strengths is that its story draws the reader in. The pursuit of Sensei?s past stabs at the narrator and the reader until Sensei?s secrets are finally revealed. Sensei even hints at one point that his past is so dramatic that `It will be with me I suppose, until I die?. (Soseki, 66)
    Some may argue that Kokuro doesn?t give enough closure once you reach the final page. The ending of this book may leave many asking questions. Natsume Soseki leaves the narrative open for every reader to interpret their own way. No two people who read this book will have the exact same view of the ending. This is good as it can lead to open ended discussion of the book befitting a true classic.
    Kokuro is an engaging tale of mystery, death, and human nature. This book has withstood the test of time and will continue to do so for many years to come. I recommend this fine piece of literature to anyone who comes across it. This story of a broken man in the midst of the Meiji era is true literary gold.

    Kokoro Book Reviewby Mike_P_Halpin

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    November 10, 2008: ?In my day parents were supported by their children. Today the children are supported by their parents? (Soseki 98). These wise words were said by a man named Sensei, he is a teacher of sorts in this book by Natsume Soseki called Kokoro. It takes place during a time in Japan?s history called the Meiji Era. This story tells the relationship between the narrator and his friend Sensei. I would recommend this book to people who like to read stories about old world Japan and about relationships between generations of people.

    A reason why people would like this book is because it is during a simple time in Japanese history, the Meiji Restoration. Also this is a very slow paced book there are no gun fights or car chases, because this book is place four hundred of years ago An example is at the beginning of the book the narrator talks a little bit about sensei ?I always called him Sensei, I shall therefore refer to him simply as sensei? (1).

    Another reason why someone would like this book is it shows the relationship between two people who are completely different when it comes to their ages. But they some how have a relationship that is strong enough that they can talk about anything. An example of how they can talk about anything is ?I remember sensei saying, ?Which one of us will die first.? And I thought, how can someone answer such a question? And if sensei knew the answer what would he do?? (79-80).

    Some people may say that Kokoro is very boring, that its dialog is not interesting, that it is old and doesn?t make a lot of sense, also that the relationship between the narrator and sensei is not intriguing, but dull and creepy. But in the end the book was written not so long ago but still has old dialogue that makes it sound a little different but some people might not relate to it is so old which might affect their thoughts on the book. Although I really didn?t like the book, I still think it would be great for people who like books about old world Japan and relationships between the generations.


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