Lead Review (The Tale of Murasaki)

• Book: The Tale Of Murasaki
• Location: Kyoto
• Author: Liza Dalby

Review Author: Tina Hartas

Lady Murasaki, noblewoman and lady-in waiting, wrote the classic The Tale of Genji, thought to be the world’s first novel. Little is known about her life, so it is wonderful to be transported to 11^th Century Kyoto in the Heian period and to get a feel for life in that century, throughtthe capable hands of this author.

Lady Murasaki is painted as a quiet and reserved character who was not a popular person in court but whose stoicism and presence helped her negotiate the political and cultural aspects of era.

The story is rich in detail, the reader can almost smell the rich cloth and wood, all beautifully described, bringing the court and customs to life.

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