Much is unknown about the exact details of the tragedy that befell Nanking during the winter of 1937, but Iris Chang through exhaustive research and dMuch is unknown about the exact details of the tragedy that befell Nanking during the winter of 1937, but Iris Chang through exhaustive research and dogged determination does her level best to construct the how, why and what that occurred. While barbarity and mankind have never been far apart, the brutality and viciousness in which the invading Japanese army subjected men, women and children of the besieged city of Nanking would be hard to top. Fatality estimates of up to 300,000 and victims of rape between 20,000 and 80,000 in a matter of 6 weeks demonstrate the efficacy of the debauchery. In saying that, though the violence was systematic it was not codified. Japanese soldiers seemingly found new methods of torture and depravity. “Contests” among the invading armies were setup to see who could kill the most citizens and in the most “creative” way imaginative. Gang rapes were common, and objects of varying dimensions were used in orifices with total disregard to age, infirmity or gestation. As galling and perverse as the actions were, the aftermath provided another degradation as the victims were not provided with any financial assistance and their claims were largely ignored or discounted. Due to a variety of factors, namely that the Japanese did everything in their power to either sanitize their participation in this holocaust or even deny its existence, this story has had neither the cachet nor even acknowledgement that other similar tragedies have had. Continual pressure from the Japanese government including those in the royal family have made scholarly examinations next to impossible. While the motivations are not the same in China, the closed off nature, especially prior to the “opening” up of the country, made it a near impossibility to conduct research onsite. These mitigating circumstances along with the social stigmas of those who survived, have largely kept this holocaust hidden. It was in this contentious environment that Iris Chang did her research. Chang a relative neophyte, did what others did not, she interviewed those who witnessed the tragedies. Additionally, she read eyewitness testimonials from both victims and their perpetrators. With courage and tenacity, she catalogued these horrors bringing to light what so many would have gladly swept underneath the rug. While it is unfair and presumptuous to speculate why someone takes their life, before Iris Chang transcended, she gave the world this horrifyingly gripping work which informed millions of readers and forced the world to remember this slaughter. ...more
Masterfully told in a deliberate pace by Junichiro Tanizaki, “The Makioka Sisters”, is written with precision and charm. The reader is given a seat inMasterfully told in a deliberate pace by Junichiro Tanizaki, “The Makioka Sisters”, is written with precision and charm. The reader is given a seat in the intimate affairs of four sisters: Tsuruko, Sachinko, Yukiko and Taeko. Taken place in pre-World War II Osaka -at least before the bombing of Pearl Harbor and subsequent events, the run-up to the cataclysmic war is merely hinted at. Oblique references to the China Incident or the mention of a soldier on a train are noted, but they are in the background. The sisters and their various interactions is the often singular focus. This dichotomy, in which the world around is changing rapidly and ever evolving is juxtaposed with the sisters’ lives which often feels like its own ecosystem. An ecosystem, in which a word uttered or not spoken, a frown or smile, a simple gesture could mean the difference between success and failure. While, the war presses on the outside world, for the sisters it is the finding of a suitable husband for the third sister, Yukiko which has led to much consternation and teeth gnashing.
Faced with a dwindling reserve of money earned from their deceased father, whose mercantile talents and largesse went hand-in-hand, the Makioka sisters, must be careful to protect the most important thing left to them: their honorable name. This good name, much respected throughout the region has kept them elevated, even though much of their prestige is no longer applicable. They are no longer able to bequeath or bestow riches on community projects, but their name still carries weight. So much weight, that the husbands of the two eldest sisters, Tatsuo and Teinosuke used their wives’ Tsuruko and Sachinko surname. It is this great and aristocratic surname which acts as both balloon and anchor. This ties them to a glorious past and an uncertain future.
Exemplified by the conflict between the bygone, modernity and posterity is how the cities are treated. Osaka, the hub of the Makioka clan is the titular home. It is where the sisters feel most comfortable and where their name has the most gravity. It has elements of the past and present and while it is a city with a large population, there is still a small town intimacy. Similar to Osaka is Kobe, which is essentially its sister city. Kyoto, on the other hand is more magisterial and linked to the past. It acts as a spiritual center with its elegant temples and beautiful cherry blossoms. Tokyo is the great metropolis, filled with hopes for a greater future. Its style is one of fast pace and it feels temporal in nature in comparison. Filled with all of the modern day contrivances, the Makioka sisters, especially Sachinko feel discombobulated when they are here.
While, the undercurrents of a changing cultural landscape and world are evident in this work, the primary focus is how it relates to the Makioka sisters. The relationship among the sisters is always on display and there is typically a push and pull between conformity and rebellion. Each sister is simple and complex at the same time. The eldest and the one most in the background, Tsuruko, by tradition is supposed to act as the leader of the group. Due to the early death of her mother, she has often acted as a sort of surrogate mother for her three sisters. Her and her husband, Tatsuo, as head of the household are tasked with providing a home for Yukiko and Taeko and providing suitors for them. Saddled with 6 kids and a modest income, their home is practically bursting at the seams. Though, the arrangement is uncomfortable and frankly untenable for all involved, due to societal pressure, none of the participants are able to air out their true feelings on the matter.
Sachinko, the second eldest sister and her husband, Teinosuke are often left to shoulder the burden and delight of having Yukiko and Taeko around. By living apart from the main part they have essentially formed an alliance against Tsuruko, though it is a most favorable living arrangement. With only a child, Etsuko, a precocious youth who is especially drawn to Yukiko, Sachinko has more time to navigate the choppy familial waters than Tsuruko. While, superficially Sachinko seems to be the best off of the sisters, with a stable and loving relationship, she is often prone to illness and has a weak constitution. She is also the most sensitive of the sisters and the least amenable to change, having difficulty when put in new situations like when she went on her honeymoon. She often acts as the mediator in family matters and tries to toe the line between her willful sisters, especially Taeko.
Reserved by her nature, Yukiko is the third oldest sister. Finding her a suitable partner in marriage is the question that plagues much of this book. While, this singular focus drives many of the sisterly interactions, oftentimes Yukiko whether due to her passivity or just morose nature, seems indifferent to the proposals and rejections. Her miais, which are a meeting between representatives of the groom and bride, have become almost comedic, due to the fraught proposals and counter proposals. Yukiko is in the precarious position of being sought after by men who her family considers beneath them, but not having the youth to attract more favorable matches. Her outside beauty is not in doubt, but during the meetings she often comes across as aloof and standoffish. Nearing the age of 30 and of a frail appearance, her classic beauty, described as Kyotian, has shown concerning signs. The extreme vanity of the timeframe in regards to beauty standards also forces Yukiko to undergo an injection for a cosmetic issue. The contradiction for Yukiko is despite her fragile appearance, she is in fact the sturdiest of the sisters in both temperament and composition.
The youngest sister, Taeko also known as Koi-San is the rebel of the family. Having had a youthful transgression which caused much family shame and was referred to as the newspaper incident, she constantly has to redeem herself to her family. While, her sisters remember the salad days of their family, Taeko was much too young to have appreciated that lifestyle. As such, while her sisters are often idle, she is constantly in motion. From the traditional such as learning ancient dances to the modern of making her own money as an entrepreneur in the doll business, she represents a clash of times. She is depicted as industrious, capable of making her own decisions whether good or bad. While, Yukiko is traditional in her mate picking process, which seems interminable, Taeko is impulsive which in modern times is challenging, but when you live in a world in which custom dictates you have to wait for your older, picky sister to get married ahead of you, it can be downright dangerous. Adhering to her stubborn nature and her modern view on romance, Taeko though practical in business matters, is not in matters of the heart. In modern times, this stance is admirable, but throughout history it could lead to being ostracized or being a pariah.
Deliberate, plodding and as feminine as a pink tiara, this work is not for everyone. But if you have the patience to savor the beauty and elegance of the often mundane, than you might find yourself a favorite. This work, sometimes cited as Japanese finest of the post-war era, is like its characters more than meet its eye. By viewing, the sisters in such an intimate manner, you feel a kinship, a dear I say sisterhood with them. The precarious balancing act between the past, present and future of the family keeps you riveted. While, in many cases the sisters feel like dolls, constantly changing clothes and hairstyles, worried about seemingly superficial things like taking vitamin shots or where to find the best sushi, the end result is something much more. You feel invested in them, happy when a vacation to see the cherry blossoms is a success or when a recital goes flawlessly, sad when a rejection occurs or when a misunderstanding has led to much consternation. To feel this level of commitment and investment takes skill and Junichiro Tanizaki is a true craftsman. I am glad to have let him take me to the charming world of the Makioka sisters and to have submitted to its beauty and wonderment. ...more
Amidst the bodice rippers, Danielle Steele books and religious texts, sat the audiobook of “The Good Earth”, in my grandmother’s belongings. I vaguelyAmidst the bodice rippers, Danielle Steele books and religious texts, sat the audiobook of “The Good Earth”, in my grandmother’s belongings. I vaguely recall her mentioning it was one of her favorite books, but I just assumed it was to run cover for my mockery of her Sylvia Browne collection. Well Granny, I do not foresee a subscription to Harlequin Enterprises in the future, but I am in agreeance in regards to, “The Good Earth”.
An epic tale that touches on a slew of concepts and motifs, though deeply rooted in its setting of mainland China, this story with its powerful imagery is one of timeless beauty and anguish. Written with a keen eye for character development, we observe the life of Wang Lung through his trials and tribulations. A simple and humble peasant, illiterate, who comes from a hearty stock that relies on the land above all else. Wang Lung will make many decisions, both good and bad, but his most providential is his coupling with O-Lan.
As a run-of-the-mill slave for the wealthiest and prestigious family in the area, O-Lan was seen as little more than an object. Not blessed with outer beauty or a clever disposition, she was seen as disposable. Her value and wealth would prove to be nonpareil for Wang Lung. Adept in the field and patient in the house, her ability to navigate the tumultuous dynamics of rural China was stupendous. Above all else, she was a fabulous mother who would have done anything for her family. In spite of her many contributions, she was often used and abused, treated as a broodmare more than a person.
The most telling example of her selfless nature was when it was stated: “She had stopped in her labor to prepare them food!” In fact, right after her first couple of pregnancies, delivering her newborn sons without medical supervision or for that matter any supervision, she cleaned up the room and proceeded to work side by side in the fields with Wang Lung. While, she was possessed of an indomitable spirit, her wisdom was also not lacking. Quiet and contemplative, she was not someone who charmed or cajoled. She was a lady of action and during a time when the family was in its most destitute state, she provided a lifeline due to her cleverness.
For her contributions and equanimity, O-Lan deserved the best, but was often treated with scorn. Being a dutiful wife, who sired 3 male heirs-who was of utmost importance in those days, worked tirelessly and resolutely ran the home was not enough for Wang. As they aged, he mocked her for her plain appearance and her quiet nature. He was becoming restless and soon started going to parlors, which provided excitement and entertainment. He soon became infatuated with one of the girls and had to have her. Though, O-Lan put up with this arrangement (what could she have done), she was essentially jettisoned for the dainty Lotus.
Ultimately, the main crux of this story is not about the love of a man and a woman, but between a man and his land. The land, a fickle bitch goddess that would giveth one year and taketh the next, was the thing in which Wang Lung’s life revolved around. He realized early on that wealth resided in ownership and distribution of land and as such, for him to attain a modicum of success it was imperative that he had dominion over as much as he could acquire. While, silver and jewels were fleeting, the possession of land was permanence.
Though land provided an important landmark in regards for his wealth, for Wang Lung it represented even more. While, so much of this work is straightforward in its descriptions, the most sumptuous and poetic renderings are reserved for the surrounding nature. The land is described in terms of Heaven and Hell, so beautiful and full of endless bounties one moment and then the next shriveled from drought or flooded by raging waters dislocating its inhabitants and turning them into refugees. Through careful brokering and extreme diligence, Wang Lung is able to add tracts of land. By obtaining enough territory, he is able to safeguard him and his family enough to withstand the unpredictable whims of the climate gods. He has a crew of farmers which work his lands and pay him tribute in exchange for the land. In a short amount of time, he has cultivated wealth that seemed impossible and has become a “man of importance.”
As the great rap philosopher Biggie Smalls noted: “Mo Money, Mo Problems”. Not having to worry about day to day survival, Wang Lung should have been content. He was the head of a thriving family whose sons were learning skills he could only dream of and one of his daughters was betrothed to a wealthy merchant family. Unfortunately, instead of tranquility and bliss, he was met with blackmail and obstinacy. While, he was busy working in the fields and stashing away enough provisions down the line, Wang Lung’s uncle was working another angle. His uncle and aunt were used to getting their way and once they saw their nephew moving up on the ladder, they made their gambit. Blackmailing Wang Lung, his uncle coerced him to enable their luxurious lifestyle. Despite their humble beginnings, the sons of Wang Lung had neither the appreciation or respect for the land as their father did. Sullen and vainglorious, instead of providing solace for their father, they added to his turmoil. Without a plow to take his restless nature out on, Wang Lung occupies his time in unseemly ways. Soon, he has a concubine, Lotus, who he decides must live with him in his compound. As imagined, that went over as well as a fart in an elevator. In regards to his family the only one who provides him relief is his eldest daughter, who is labeled “the fool” or “the poor fool” due to her simple nature.
Overall, this greatly exceeded my expectations. I was hesitant to read this as I feared it would be whitewashed, silly or trite. To my surprise, it was none of those things. Even though the writer was not of the culture she wrote about, it felt like an apt portrayal. As fiction it is not meant to be a historical depiction, but the characters felt accurate and lived-in. Despite the setting and even when it is written in the 1930s, it does not come across as an embarrassing relic from the past. The amount of detail and description of the pregnancy scene seemed modern and certainly left an impression. While, I found the first half more memorable than the second half, it is well deserving of 4 stars. ...more
"If you ask me that woman’s as mad as a hatter! Lots of elderly spinsters go that way- I don’t mean go queer in their heads! Unfortunately it’s taken "If you ask me that woman’s as mad as a hatter! Lots of elderly spinsters go that way- I don’t mean go queer in their heads! Unfortunately it’s taken her this way. Religious mania- she’s God’s instrument, something of that kind!"
Sometimes, okay oftentimes when I read novels I give the characters voices. This is even more so when I read British writers. To compound this, I listened to two previous Agatha Christie on audiobook. So you can only imagine the number of voices that were coming and going on in my head. It was like a lively version of the UK Parliament but without as many confusing Scottish accents. This assemblage of articulation withstanding I enjoyed this work. It had what I come to expect from Christie: a gramophone siting, a handful of flagrantly offensive words or phrases, a denouement I did not figure out and most importantly a coming together of all the puzzle pieces. The title of the novel comes from the name of a children’s nursery rhyme that much like the song, “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe” had some awful racial overtones that thankfully have been changed. The concept, an island that is to host ten people from different walks of life is one that has been a staple for “reality” television for 2 decades. This island, which has been the talk of much intrigue and gossip due to its unknown landlord/s, is not of the tropical variety. Though there will be plenty of alcohol to ply the occupants, the amount of casual nudity and hookups are what you would expect from a novel written in 1939. Nevertheless, there is something most afoul occurring on this secluded island. For some reason, Christie decided to go into detail about the modes of transportation to get to the island. I am sure there is someone out there who finds it fascinating to know the differences in seat cushioning between first and second class on a train but I am not one of them. After the hubbub of traveling to the port of call, the real fun begins. Trying to figure out just what in blue blazes is the common thread among the participants? This cross-section of class and age appears to be a hodgepodge of randomness, without rhyme or reason. Answers are soon forthcoming. The ten are soon gathered in the main dining room where a gramophone is placed. After a hardy breakfast, those two poor butler/maid/custodians that had to wait on everyone, a proclamation is ejaculated from the device. This statement has condemned each of the ten as being murderers. Not surprisingly, each of them denies this as being ridiculous. They heartily take part in British revelry of the time, so plenty of booze and probably off-color jokes and are shaken from their merriment by the first death. For reasons of both convenience (I forgot most of the details about the order and cause of each death) and also because of the sheer fun of watching the remaining members driven to madness, I will try to be vague. Needless to say, Christie does an amazing job of ramping up both the violence of the acts and the impending suspense. For me the overarching question was not who or what was causing the murders but how did that person know who to accuse in the first place? Why was this entity so obsessed with exacting vengeance on them and what glee did this provide? Alas, I am not a crime solver and due to my lack of reading the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew in my youth, this was never developed. In this case my ignorance was bliss and not until the tacked on letter at the end, was the denouement clear. Overall, I would rate this as a solid 4 star read. It was quite satisfying and the buildup and subsequent breakdowns of the remaining characters was deeply gratifying. To her credit, Christie almost single-handedly popularized the island trope with this work. And also to her credit, not many if any have succeeded in improving upon it. For me, the hallmark of this work was towards the end when the paranoia and suspicion among the remaining 4 inhabitants reached its crescendo. Not knowing whom to trust, slowly losing any bearings, they devolve into barbarians. It was this psychasthenia that boosted this work to my most favored of the three Christie works I have read....more
Loading...
