Title: Naomi
Author: Junichiro Tanizaki
Publication Year: 1924
Publisher: Vintage - 2001
Edition: Trade
Source: my shelves
Date Completed: January - 2013
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: yes
Naomi, translated from the Japanese was an entertaining read. I
wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this one, but by the
time I was finished I had a big smile on my face.
The
story takes place in 1920's Tokyo, where Naomi, a 15 year-old from a
poor background works as a waitress at the Diamond Cafe. She is an
attractive girl with "Eurasian" features. When Joji, a 28-year old
Engineer, first sets eyes on her, he thinks she is beautiful, and before
long he becomes obsessed with her. He thinks she has the perfect blend
of eastern and Western features and a beautiful if not somewhat
unusual name. Joji in contrast is nothing to look at, he's short,
has "bad teeth" and is socially inept.
Initially Joji sees himself as a father figure for Naomi, but
deep down thinks he can transform her into the perfect Western woman.
She comes to live with him and initially does some household chores for him. He tries to teach her English and even pays for her to take music lessons. She isn't very good at either, but he still has hopes of molding
her into the perfect woman, and then making her his perfect, beautiful wife.
They do marry, but it isn't long before Joji's plan
backfire. Naomi soon begins to take total control over him. She becomes
manipulative, spends more money than he makes, and quite plainly does
what she wants to do and sees who she wants to see including other men. She makes a fool out of
Joji.
Joji the protagonist of this story is really a
pathetic man who has lost all respect. Even when he tells Naomi to
move out, he finds he misses her and, she knows what cords to pull to keep him interested in her, and finds reason after reason to return to the house when he is there. Having lost all self-respect,
Joji feels like he has to
put up with Naomi calling the shots.
I really liked this story and it packs a punch for
a short book -- about 250 pages or so, and it made me chuckle at times as well. I found Naomi to be almost a cautionary
tale about what can happen when you try to make someone into the type of
person you want them to be. I think we all know that it rarely works
and the person, in most cases, just resents the other person for having tried.
It's a great read - Try it!
It does sound good, Diane. The era would be a draw for me as well as the setting. Thanks for telling us about it!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I find the Japanese culture fascinating because it is so very different than ours.
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of this book Diane, thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteTanizaki's The Makioka Sisters was one of my favorites last year. I'm adding this to my wish list. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteA great review, I might try this one!
ReplyDeleteI love books set in Japan so I'm definitely intrigued by this one (especially because you gave it such high marks)!
ReplyDeleteThis actually sounds really good. You have to wonder if the manipulation goes hand in hand with being Westernized. Interesting to think about.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this one before, but it does sound like a really interesting and thought-provoking tale that has consequence and meaning. I am glad that you liked it and that that you gave ti such a great and thorough review. I enjoyed reading it!!
ReplyDeleteIt's on my list! Great review.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good smile maker!
ReplyDeleteNaomi by Tanizaki sounds very good. I like the fact that it's shorter, like a novella rather than a longer work. This would be a great book for Bellezza's annual Japanese Literature challenge.
ReplyDeleteCurious, sounds kinda edgy for a book set in the 1920's. Seems like it would make a good weekend book for rearranging your psyche. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteha! I'm sure that there would be a few chuckles to be had! I like the sound of this one. Great review!
ReplyDeleteTanizaki's book is really all about manipulation. I read "Quicksand" and it was so diabolic and manipulative that I didn't like it! :) I hope Naomi is better.
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