Exotics and Retrospectives


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.1 stars; 12 reviews)

Lafcadio Hearn, born 1850 in Greece, went to Japan when he was 40 years old and became a Japanese citizen only 6 years later. His writings about Japan from the beginning of the Meiji era, when the country was just opening to the West, remain among the most important explanations of Japanese culture.

This book contains in the first part, "Exotics", his observations of and personal insights into Japan. For example, Fuji no Yama tells about him climbing the highest mountain in Japan; and A Question in the Zen Texts, Literature of the Dead, and Of Moon Desire try to explain Buddhist teachings. In the second part, "Retrospectives", Hearn leaves both Japan and his vantage point as impartial observer behind and delves into personal experiences and musings that occurred to him in the numerous countries he visited. The main topic of these very personal pieces is beauty in all its forms. (Summary by Availle) (5 hr 32 min)

Chapters

Foreword 1:39 Read by William Gavula
EXOTICS: I Fuji-No-Yama 48:14 Read by William Gavula
II Insect Musicians 46:59 Read by MaryAnn
III A Question in the Zen Texts 10:53 Read by William Gavula
IV The Literature of the Dead, Part 1 42:51 Read by Availle
IV The Literature of the Dead, Part 2 28:33 Read by Availle
V Frogs 19:33 Read by Larry Wilson
VI Of Moon-Desire 12:48 Read by Lynne T
RETROSPECTIVES: VII First Impressions 14:08 Read by Isana
VIII Beauty is Memory 11:47 Read by Larry Wilson
IX Sadness in Beauty 10:25 Read by JenMitchell
X Parfum de Jeunesse 5:21 Read by Kristin G.
XI Azure Psychology 14:12 Read by Larry Wilson
XII A Serenade 8:53 Read by Kristin G.
XIII A Red Sunset 13:42 Read by heeheekitty
XIV Frisson 12:55 Read by heeheekitty
XV Vespertina Cognitio 20:52 Read by Availle
XVI The Eternal Haunter 8:56 Read by Kristin G.

Reviews

Curious collection


(3 stars)

A collection of very introspective pieces by Lafcadio but not as insightful as his other works highlighting Japanese culture and history. However the first chapter on climbing Mt Fuji is a thrilling piece of writing.