Jain (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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50books_poc2009-04-06 06:52 am
jain) wrote in 50books_poc2009-04-06 06:52 am
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Mishima Yukio -- Thirst for Love
6. Mishima Yukio, Thirst for Love
I loved the first three-fourths or so of this book and disliked the rest. The book centers on Etsuko, a young widow who moves in with her husband's family at the invitation of her selfish and miserly father-in-law. Her quiet desperation in this world of petty familial infighting is both painful and fascinating to watch. There are a number of flashbacks that further develop the narrative and characterization, including one to Etsuko's husband's hospitalization and death that's truly brilliant. I also really liked how Mishima presented the endless rounds of miscommunication among the various family members and servants in the story.
However, the book also suffers from an excess of melodrama--particularly towards the end--and the characterization didn't always ring true.
I loved the first three-fourths or so of this book and disliked the rest. The book centers on Etsuko, a young widow who moves in with her husband's family at the invitation of her selfish and miserly father-in-law. Her quiet desperation in this world of petty familial infighting is both painful and fascinating to watch. There are a number of flashbacks that further develop the narrative and characterization, including one to Etsuko's husband's hospitalization and death that's truly brilliant. I also really liked how Mishima presented the endless rounds of miscommunication among the various family members and servants in the story.
However, the book also suffers from an excess of melodrama--particularly towards the end--and the characterization didn't always ring true.