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An Artist of the Floating World
An Artist of the Floating World
Author: Kazuo Ishiguro
In the face of the misery he saw in his homeland, the bohemian artist Masuji Ono envisioned a strong and powerful Japan of the future and put his work in the service of the imperialist movement that led Japan into World War II. Now, as the mature Ono struggles through the devastation of that war, memories of his youth and of the "floating world...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780844671239
ISBN-10: 0844671231
Publication Date: 6/2001
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1

4 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Peter Smith Publisher Inc
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette
Members Wishing: 1
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Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed An Artist of the Floating World on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
"Good writers abound - good novelists are very rare. Kazuo Ishiguro is... not only a good writer bu also a wonderful novelist." -New York Times Book review.

Winner of the 1986 Whitbread prize and shortlisted for the 1986 Booker prize, this book is about the artist Masuji Ono and is told mainly as he reminiscences about the past. It focuses on how his view of Japan as a dominating imperialist force during WWII now causes grief and difficulty for himself and his family in postwar Japan. The novel is written simply and lyrically, full of understated tension established in each dialogue, and gorgeously descriptive prose. It was even more understated compared to Ishiguro's other works, such as "Remains of the Day," or "Never Let Me Go," which I tended to enjoy a bit more. However, this is still well worth a read as Ishiguro's first novel.
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reviewed An Artist of the Floating World on + 70 more book reviews
Great story with subtle reminders of the past, during war times and decisions the characters have to live with. Also, family points of view that come out along the way. Beautifully written, the words flow as if written in poetry, each paragragh paints a picture.


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