Japanese Literature Read-along

Running concurrently with the Japanese Literature Book Group, this is a casual reading group for those selected titles that are perhaps longer, for which we could all use some mutual cheer-leading, or that would benefit from a closer reading. The schedule will vary depending on the length of the books. The updates and discussion will typically take place on the 15th (and occasionally the 30th) of those months in which a read-along is scheduled. You're welcome to post about each section on your own blog according to the schedule or any time that is convenient, but it's not required. However, if you do I'll include any links on the updates so we can compare thoughts.

Current selection:
I Am a Cat by Soseki Natsume
Volume One - November 15th, 2009
Volume Two - December 15th, 2009
Volume Three - February 15th, 2010 (extended)

*I'm reading from the Three Volumes in One Edition from Tuttle Publishing (ISBN: 080483265X). These are the corresponding page numbers: Volume One (p. 3 - 156), Volume Two (p. 159 - 355), Volume Three (p.359 - 638).

Coming up:
The Wind-up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Book One - March 15th, 2010
Book Two - April 15th, 2010
Book Three - May 15th, 2010

*These are the corresponding page numbers for either the Vintage US [ISBN: 978-0679775430] or UK [ISBN: 978-0099448792] trade paperback editions, these are the corresponding page numbers: Book One (p. 3 - 172), Book Two (p. 173 - 338), Book Three (p. 339 - 607).

No read-along scheduled in June.

The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki
Book One - July 15th, 2010
Book Two - August 15th, 2010
Book Three - September 15th, 2010

*These are the corresponding page numbers for both the Vintage US [ISBN: 978-0679761648] or UK [ISBN: 978-0749397104] trade paperback editions: Book 1 (p. 3 - 150), Book 2 (p. 151 - 326), Book 3 (p. 327 - 530).

The Silent Cry by Kenzaburō Ōe
part 1 - October 15th, 2010
part 2 - November 15th, 2010

*These are the corresponding page numbers in the Serpent's Tail [ISBN: 978-1852426026] trade paperback edition: part 1 (p. 1 - 140, to the end of the chapter entitled 'Procession from the Past'), part 2 (p. 141 - 274, from the chapter entitled 'Truth Unspeakable' to the end).


No read-along scheduled in December.

Running alongside the above schedule:
The Pillowbook of Sei Shōnagon
The diary-style and lack of a continuous narrative makes this an ideal candidate for an extra leisurely-paced read-along.   Starting in February 2010, and lasting until the autumn, each week we'll read and discuss 10 sections/entries.  Every Friday (unless notified otherwise), I will post about the week's reading.

*Please note that for this read-along I'll be reading and referring to the Penguin Classics edition [ISBN: 978-0140448061] translated by Meredith McKinney. I do also have the Ivan Morris translation published by Columbia University Press [ISBN-10: 0231073372] which was my first introduction to The Pillow Book a few years ago, but it seems to be a slightly more abridged version as it contains only 185 entries, compared to 297 in the Penguin edition. As well, the order in which they are presented differs so it may cause confusion. However, I will be dipping into it to compare along the way, and if anyone plans to read the Ivan Morris version, let me know and I can try to include the relevant page numbers.

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