Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji, Version 2)
Murasaki Shikibu
Read by Lynne T
Genji Monogatari, or The Tale of Genji, is a Japanese classic novel from the eleventh century. Supposedly commissioned by members of the Imperial Family, it tells the story of the son of the Emperor's favorite concubine and his role as a privileged boy and man, but not quite recognized as royal. He is placed in a loveless marriage, but continues a number of 'friendships' with the women of the court. This translation brings us the first seventeen chapters, and there is some dispute over the authorship of later (not included) chapters. The book gives us a fascinating insight into court life of the period. - Summary by Lynne Thompson (8 hr 1 min)
Chapters
| Introduction by the Translator | 18:00 | Read by Lynne T |
| Kiri-Tsubo (The Chamber of Kiri) | 39:23 | Read by Lynne T |
| Hahaki-Gi (The Broom-Like Tree) Part 1 | 39:48 | Read by Lynne T |
| Hahaki-Gi (The Broom-Like Tree) Part 2 | 40:01 | Read by Lynne T |
| Wootz-Semi (Beautiful Cicada) | 14:51 | Read by Lynne T |
| Yugao (Evening Glory) | 1:01:33 | Read by Lynne T |
| Waka-Murasaki (Young Violet) | 55:14 | Read by Lynne T |
| Suyetsu-Hana (Saffron Flower) | 38:28 | Read by Lynne T |
| Momiji-Ga (Maple Fete) | 20:41 | Read by Lynne T |
| Hana-No-Yen (Flower Feast) | 8:53 | Read by Lynne T |
| Aoi (Hollyhock) | 22:10 | Read by Lynne T |
| Sakaki (Divine Tree) | 8:35 | Read by Lynne T |
| Hanachi-Sato (Villa of Falling Flowers) | 2:35 | Read by Lynne T |
| Suma (Exile at Suma) | 34:37 | Read by Lynne T |
| Akashi (Exile at Akashi) | 21:44 | Read by Lynne T |
| Myo-Tzkushi (The Beacon) | 14:05 | Read by Lynne T |
| Yomogi-Bu (Overgrown Mugwort) | 13:55 | Read by Lynne T |
| Sekiya (Barrier House) | 5:45 | Read by Lynne T |
| Ye-Awase (Competitive Show of Pictures) | 21:34 | Read by Lynne T |
Reviews
Robert Kaufman
The readers were all good. The story was just okay.