One of the things I missed the most during my blogging hiatus was Bellezza’s Japanese Literature Challenge. Whenever I participated in the past, I discovered books that made my end of year list. Obviously, I could read Japanese literature, of which I’m very fond, all year long, but we all know how it goes, when you’re a mood reader or “magpie reader”, as I call myself, you pick what speaks to you at a certain time and forget everything else. Unfortunately, as the last two years have shown me, it’s not a successful approach to reading. At least not for me. I need to have a few loose plans.
Ogai Mori’s novel is a recent acquisition and since I was keen on reading older Japanese literature, I felt it was a fitting choice for the challenge.
Ogai Mori (1862 – 1922) was an Army Surgeon, novelist, and translator. From 1884 to 1888 he studied medicine in Leipzig, Münich, and Berlin. In Germany he discovered the literature of many European countries and later translated classics like Shakespeare, Schiller, Goethe, Kleist, Rilke, Daudet, Tolstoy and many more into Japanese.
The Wild Geese, (or Wild Goose) is considered his masterpiece. It was serialized between 1911 and 1913 in the Japanese newspaper Subaru and finally published as a book in 1915.
The story is told by an unnamed narrator who is friends with the main protagonist, Okada, a medical student at the university in Tokyo. They both live in a boarding house for medical students. The story is set in 1880, during the Meiji era, a time, when Tokyo was no longer called Edo but wasn’t yet the Tokyo we know now.
Otama is a young woman who is very beautiful but also very poor. She and her father who raised her as a single parent are very close. There isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for him. When her marriage to an influential man is annulled, she accepts the position as concubine of a rich usurer. This deal allows her father to live comfortably in a very beautiful house, surrounded by nature. Otama herself lives in a side street in Tokyo with a young maid. She has no contact to people as they all avoid and ostracize her. One day she sees Okada from her window and they both feel a strong attraction. Will Otama be able to break free? If you’d like to find out, you’ll have to read the novel.
The Wild Goose is as subtle as it is beautiful. I liked it very much. It’s rich in detailed descriptions of the culture and customs of the time. Flora and fauna play important, often symbolic roles in this story. Throughout the novel we find descriptions of nature that reinforce the mood and the themes of the novel. One of the most powerful examples of nature descriptions was the episode of the wild geese which takes place towards the end of the novel. I was wondering from the beginning why Ogai Mori chose this title as it didn’t seem to make sense. When it was finally revealed, it was quite shattering.
While Mori Ogai is excellent at describing nature, he is also a very fine psychologist and a keen observer of relationships. The friendship between the narrator and Okada, and the relationship between Otama and her father a beautifully rendered.
This book is set during a time when the Japanese society was undergoing profound changes. It doesn’t look like things were changing for women though. To read about Otama is quite upsetting. She has the misfortune of being poor but beautiful which attracts powerful men who don’t have any intention of getting married to her and don’t care that this pushes her to the fringes of society. She might be the mistress in her own home, but as soon as she leaves the house, she’s an outcast.
What impressed me the most, is how immersive this story was. Reading it felt like making a trip to a distant place and time. The imagery, themes, and story are so haunting, I don’t think I’ll forget them any day soon.
I didn’t read the English, but the German translation of this book, which seemed well done. It was published by Manesse in their Bibliothek der Weltliteratur series. If you know the series, you know how beautiful and luxurious these small books are.
This post is a contribution to Bellezza’s Japanese Literature Challenge 6
Beauty is a Sleeping Cat 
Although I read this many years ago, I have not forgotten it. You do such an excellent job of giving us much needed information in your review, whereas I’m rather a “cut to the chase” kind of girl. But the ending? What an impact! Much like Kawabata’s writing, to me, these Japanese masters leave an unforgettable trace which one keeps returning to in one’s mind.
I am so glad you are back to blogging, Caroline, and particularly pleased that this challenge means something to you. I, too, find that I need some “loose” sort of plan, and that the books I’ve read for this find themselves on my “best of” list at year’s end.
Thank you, Meredith. Such a nice way to start blogging this year. I usually cut to the chase too but thought it might be important here as many, like me, might not be that familiar with certain things. Almost all the Japanese books I’ve picked had a haunting quality and elements I will never forget. I need to read more Kawabata. Thanks for still doing this challenge.
It sounds lovely, Caroline, and not a book or author I’ve come across. Thanks for the heads up and I’ll add it to the wishlist! 😀
It is lovely. I hope you’ll like it. I was glad to see that it had so many annotations as that was so helpful.
I know you like film. Have you seen the Japanese film: Shoplifters?
No, I haven’t. Thanks for the recommendation.
Gave me a totally different view of Japanese society
Sounds very interesting.
I have missed you
Oh Andrew . . . I missed you too. I hope you’re well.
You do make this sound rather enticing, I haven’t read a lot of Japanese Literature so I’m still feeling my way to find what suits me.
I know what you mean. And there’s a lot to choose from. I usually gravitate to newer books but the classics have never disappointed either. It’s on the short side, if you’d like to try this. My favorite Japanese book is the short story collection The Square Persimmon by Takeshi Atoda. You might like that too.
This sounds a stunning read. Lovely review Caroline.
Thank you, Mme Bibi. I liked it so much.
Love this one, really should read more of his work…
I’m glad to hear that. I have to look what else is available.
This sounds so absorbing, and I really like what you say about the author’s ability to portray a wide range of elements in a meaningful way, from the broader society and human relationships to the flora and fauna. A new writer to me, but I’ll keep him mind for the future. Lovely review as ever, Caroline – it’s good to have you back.
Thank you, Jacqui. I think you’d like this. It’s very nuanced and fascinating in many ways.
You make this sound beautiful, Caroline. I love those books that are so immersive that you feel as if you’ve made a trip to that place and time. And thanks for giving me a way of describing myself: “magpie reader”. Perfect!
Nice to see you Andrew. It’s something special when an author manages that, isn’t it? I’m glad to know “magpie reader” resonated with you.
That book sounds good! I can’t participate in the Japanese Lit challenge this month but it would be great for Novellas in November, too! Added it to my TBR.
Yes, that would be an excellent choice. I hope you will like it.
Hi Caroline
A great review. Thank you very much. We’ll have a look at this novel.
Keep well
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind comment. I hope you’ll like it. 😊
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Beautiful review, Caroline! Discovered this book through your review 😊 Thank you! Loved this book. Loved the way it evokes the Japan of that time. The ending was heartbreaking and haunting. Otama is such a beautiful character. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you so much, Vishy. I’m glad you liked the review and the book. It’s so unique. I’ve read more modern Japanese literature so this was beautiful and fascinating.
Thanks so much for introducing me to this book, Caroline! As soon as I read your review, I had to go and get this book 😊 Couldn’t find the translation you read and so got this one. I’m glad I read the book. It was beautiful and haunting.
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