The New York Tines says. " A major literary figure... widely read in his own country & asclaimed by critics..". A master of erotic psychology, reminiscent of Colette," writes the Irish Times. Los Angeles Times states, "Fascinaing, though at times slightly repellent." The Globe & Mail reports,"For the sheer entertainment value of a good story well told, none can match Tanizaki." "Ask any westener to name the greatest Japanese novelist of the last fifity years and it is probably that he will reply Mishima, but put the same qustion to a Japanese nd it is no less probable that he will reply Tanizaki.." says Francis King of The Spectator. "This is actually a novella (the title story) and two shorter pieces... all three stories are variations on a theme." according to translator Paul McCarthy. Not for everyone... I found it an odd bok.

Share/Like this Review?