Reading the 20th Century discussion

I see we don't have a thread for Yukio Mishima despite him coming up in various threads so here's a space to share our thoughts.

Mishima's politics and suicide through hara kiri sometimes seem to supersede his writing rather than being seen as closely intertwined.

I've only read his short story Patriotism and am now starting an ARC of his Voices of the Fallen Heroes: And Other Stories.

His writing is an intriguing mix of delicacy and brutality reflecting his disturbingly morbid imagination where death and beauty co-exist and overlap.

I'd definitely like to read more Mishima in the new year, including his novels.

Any thoughts, recommendations?

I haven't read anything by him, but a quick glance on Amazon shows some interesting titles. I don't know enough to even suggest anything but will definitely explore what there is.

One of the things I love about this group is that it keeps introducing me to writers that were excluded from my Eurocentric education. I've seen Mishima's name floating about, but not ever read anything by him, nor even about him. I think I should remedy that in the coming year.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

I read the four magnificent volumes of the Sea of Fertility nearly 40 years ago. I don't remember many specifics but I was deeply engaged in each of the novels. Highly recommended.

I don't want to reread them, but I would be up for nearly any of his other works.

Didnt we read Spring Snow in this group a few years back? or was that in the Bright Young Things group?

I can't recall, Barbara. Ah, it was the sudden death of Bright Young Things which spawned this group!

No, we haven't read Spring Snow, or any Mishima, in this group.

I'll have a look and suggest something later.

I've read the quartet too, as well as numerous novels and short pieces. I'd probably say I was a fan of his work in general. His politics are quite odd they don't map onto American/European conceptions of right-wing nationalism but nor do they fit with Japanese ones. He was basically inconsistent/idiosyncratic as far as his politics go, some of his beliefs might even be considered quite progressive. A good starting point might be either Confessions of a Mask which I'm currently rereading or The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea

Thanks for those suggestions, Alwynne. Any takers for a buddy of either of these? I'd be happy to do either.

I'd happily do either so any other takers?

I have a slight preference for The Sailor but will be happy to read either or both.

Let's do The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea then. Just looking at the schedule, how about March?

Great, happy to go with that!

Me too

Sailor added to our forthcoming reads

Fabulous, I'll set up a thread. We can always add Confessions later if we feel like it.