The Tale of Genji - Murasaki Shikibu

nAn 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) n nThe 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 n A Penguin Classic n n 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. n n 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.n