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Book Reviews of Naomi

Naomi
Naomi
Author: Junichiro Tanizaki
ISBN-13: 9780865474574
ISBN-10: 0865474575
Publication Date: 11/1990
Pages: 237
Edition: Reprint
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1

4 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: North Point Pr
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

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raksha38 avatar reviewed Naomi on + 203 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I'm still not sure how I feel about this book. It's about a man recounting his marriage to a woman named Naomi, who he found in a cafe and took in to "raise" when she was 15 (yeah, he's a bit of a creeper). He's obsessed with her, spoils her, and is too stupid and gullible to ever deny her anything. She becomes spoiled and is always cheating on him and spending his money as fast as he can make it (faster, sometimes). Like, she doesn't even try to hide that's the reason she keeps him around, but he spins these elaborate fantasies in his head of her being his treasure and getting pissed at her and calling her disgusting names (in his head) when she fails to live up to his fantasy, as if she owes him that or something. But in the end, he's always too stupid and too much of a pushover to do anything about it.

It was written in the early 20s, so the raging sexism isn't a surprise. I just can't figure out if we're supposed to sympathize with Joji or hate him. Because I kind of hate him, but the book would be somewhat more enjoyable if I thought we were supposed to? I don't know.