Liza Dalby, The Tale of Murasaki
The Tale of Murasaki is a novel inspired by the life and works of eleventh-century writer and court lady Murasaki Shikibu. Liza Dalby has recreated her life through her best-known work, The Tale of Genji, and through fragments of her diary.
In eleventh century Japan, Fuji is the daughter of a court poet, learned in Chinese poetry, which was then considered academic knowledge. From a very young age, Fuji, who dreams of being a court lady even if this gradually becomes unlikely (due to her father’s unstable position at court), becomes more and more interested in Chinese studies. She follows in her father’s footsteps while composing waka (precursor of the haiku) and inventing a fictional character named Genji, a man so accomplished and handsome that no lady can resist him. Fuji (later known as Murasaki, one of her characters) entertains her friends with Genji’s love pursuits while she herself convinces her father to delay her unavoidable marriage to one of his friends; Governor Nobutaka.
Murasaki, who is quite spoilt by a father flattered to have such a clever child, consents to delay the wedding and let her daughter accompany him and his family to Echizen, where he has been appointed as a governor. While first depressed by the lack of refinement she was used to in Miyako (Kyoto), Murasaki forgets her solitude with the son of a Chinese ambassador. However, Murasaki must soon return to Miyako and fulfill the promise her father has made. Fortunately, her husband (who has already several other wives) is a good man and allows Murasaki a great freedom so she can write about Genji. She will have her only child with him; her daughter Katako. After Nobukata’s death (whom Murasaki will end up mourning for a long time), Murasaki is finally offered what she always dreamed about: a place as a court lady. The Empress Shoshi herself is a big fan of Genji’s tales… Unfortunately, life in court will turn out to be a disappointment for Murasaki, who has trouble accepting the atmosphere of intrigue and pettiness amongst all the women gravitating around the empress. Murasaki will end her life as a nun, retired from the world and freed from her long-time obsession: Genji…
The Tale of Murasaki is a total change of scenery: what could be more remote from us than eleventh-century Japan? The customs, the superstitions concerning spirits, the court ceremonials, the polygamy, the attention accorded to nature and its changes: every thing described gives the reader a big dose of exotism. Dalby writes very well and manages to make the eleventh-century Japan alive for us. The novel is thoroughly documented and I liked the fact that Dalby incorporated most of the waka written by Murasaki during her life, they give a good idea of her moods. It is amazing how people could convey complex ideas, puns and double meanings into such small poems… However, I wasn’t so enthusiastic about Murasaki herself. I thought she was a quite dull character, neither fascinating nor intriguing; someone quite complex but lacking radiance or charisma. I found her time in court particularly boring and uneventful, the description of the ceremonials dragged on endlessly… Too bad, I think Dalby could have brought a more striking heroine to life, and the novel might have stood out…
Rating: 3/5
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