EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion

FWIW
SO far I am underwhelmed. Genji is a lot less than admirable
If you have read them, this is a cross between Barry Lyndon and the adventures of Don Juan.
Written by a woman, might mean something, but the plot has not varied much in the first hundred plus pages.

Phrodrick wrote: Written by a woman, might mean something, but the plot has not varied much in the first hundred plus pages.

Oh the irony, after just suffering about 7 volumes of that. Lol.
I hope it picks up!

I wonder if I need to do some research on this book (another reason why I would like a buddy read)
So far it reminds me , in no particular order
The many loves of Dobbie Gilles
Barry Lyndon
Don Juan
And something that might have been written as 12th century Japanese court porn
Genjie is a big time player, in a world with a plenitude of "reluctant " virgins.

Guess what:
Men are expect to play around, but have to be careful least they get a reputation
And women are supposed to, and I quote shut up and do what they are told,
AND to avoid getting a reputation.

Again shades of Marcel,
Either mylady Murasaki Shikibu was writing satire or deliberately salacious stories for the delectation of the highborn ladies of the court . This adds to the problematic elements - we are expected to read of several forms of sex assault and an outright kidnapping and shrug them off, as the ladies of the 12 century court would have under the heading of- rich and well connected boys (men) will be boys

I am barely 10% in and there may be comeuppances or other developments to come.

I’ve never read the three books you’ve mentioned but it does sound like court life and the upper crust society hasn’t changed much.

Its interesting to think of the Japanese court in that context as in present day they’re normally known for being very reserved. Although money and power tend to warp sensibilities and values.

I read some reviews and it seems well liked, but a slog. Although Proust is generally well received too. That’s just a lot of slogging. I’m reading a book of short stories now. Lol.

It’s also kind of funny/curious what the supposed first book ever written is about. I don’t know what I would have expected, but certainly not what you’ve said and I saw in reviews.

I’m surprised no one is reading it- I feel like it’s a title I’ve seen come up from time to time.

I did a quick look about It looks like several places have done reads or may have one scheduled. Just not groups I am in or know much about.

I may have tricked myself, my real goal is one for the Chinese masterpieces
Dream of the Red Chamber
or
Romance of the Three Kingdoms

So you are using Genji as a segway into one or both of “Dream…” or “Romance…”?

Genji is a classic unto itself. Do you think it will give you a better preparation or insight leading into one of the others?

Why do you say you’ve tricked yourself?

Genji is a classic in that it is considered as a break through in it construction. Other wise it is , so far lite , more or less naughty tales to amuse. A Japanese 1001 Nights.

It may help me into a better orientation for ancient far Eastern Classics, but this is Japanese, my target reads are Chinese. Maybe it will help or maybe it will just be 1300 pages.

Oh geez… (Japanese/Chinese) that’s me paying attention. 🤦🏻‍♀️
Sorry. Lol

Did you have an idea of Genji before you stared? I still think it’s rather ironic going from Proust into that.

I started this in Jan 2022 and hoping to read all the volumes this year. I'm already slightly behind schedule but I think there's a bit of leeway in a year long project.
Excited to see everyone's thoughts even if I'm a bit late to the party :)

I just finished Swann ‘s Way and started Within the Budding Grove, the second part, I liked the first volume.

I plan to read three volumes this year.

Brenda wrote: "Oh geez… (Japanese/Chinese) that’s me paying attention. 🤦🏻‍♀️
Sorry. Lol

Did you have an idea of Genji before you stared? I still think it’s rather ironic going from Proust into that."

Proust to Genji, your observation is right on. I had some vague idea of it being written by a woman of the court, having been lost and recently found and not much else.
My goal was to prepare myself for the great Chinese classic and camel choker the Dream of the Red Chamber

Not sure how but your comment back in May got past me. So, maybe Not paying attention<?>

Oh my, had I known that this group existed! I procrastinate for years now reading this and it looks at me so gult evoking from my shelf :D Would anyone be up for starting to buddy read this again?

I kinda like the somewhat desultory meanderings of the way this discussion is progressing.
Having finished the Marcel 7 , and some of hsi short stories besides, and the Genji, I am now attempting the Zola 20 .
Still Red Chambers is just out of my schedule.

Maybe that puts me up for membership in the reading the door stoppers elite?

Hmm I wonder if that is a GR group already?