the tale of genji.

[Kamisama]

my brother gave me volume 2. can i read it without volume 1? the exactly is this book about anyways?

 

[Martialartsnovice]

I dunno know, I have heard of it, but I dont now if its availible at a booksttore near me, i might have to amazon.com or ebay.

 

[senseiman]

The Tale of Genji is a romantic epic written about the son of an emporer during the Heian era. There are 54 chapters in all and though some of them stand out as sort of short stories in their own right, I would reccomend reading it from the beginning rather than from the middle. Its kind of hard luck though because if you have volume two of the English translation by Siedensticker, they don't sell each volume seperately so you'll have to buy them both as a set.

 

[phelonious]

it took me three months to finish the genji, from cover to cover. it's a lot of work, but worth it. for your first time it might be good to take notes keeping track of the characters. i believe there are something like 500 in the whole thing. good luck!