By Kazuo Ishiguro
An Artist Of the Floating World paints an interesting portrait of post-war Japan as seen through the eyes of the aging Masuji Ono. It reads much like an early Ozu movie - the pacing is slow and deliberate, and it wanders through Ono's life, interweaving with thoughts and memories. Similarly as well, there is little conflict. Ono has tension with his daughters and he internally questions his past, but there are no crisises to overcome, all the battles have already been fought.
In his youth, Ono is the proto-typical rebel artist, aiming to achieve a new level in his work. The "floating world" refers to night-life Japan, clouded by drink and other pleasures of the night. Ono, like his colleagues, paints images inspired by this life. However, when his attention is turned to the suffering of the poor, his paintings come to support the Nationalist movement in their support of a stronger Japan.
Ono's reflections on his life often come through interactions with his daughters who are embarrassed of his past, and his grandson who has taken to emulating cowboys instead of Samurai. The book never dwells on these little moments, perhaps that is what makes them stand out so clearly. Similarly, the backdrop of a city which lies partially in ruins is only casually referred to by Ono.
There are great discussions on this book on the meaning of art, and its relationship with the world. Its particularly interesting to read, in Ono's rather passive voice, about his attachment to nationalism; its something that you rarely get 'the artist' perspective on, as most 'rebel artists' are portrayed as fighting against a totalitarian government.
6 comments:
Thanks for the review. I've been extremely interested in reading his latest novel which is about a boarding school in a dystopic future Britian.
really? I'm surprised. This book and from what I can tell of "Remains of the Day" from the movie are both very 'grounded' stories. It would be interesting to see how he deals with sci-fi. Thanks for the tip!
I've read Remains of the Day. Very interesting review. The book sounds a bit too thoughtful for me. I imagine an understanding of the historical context Kazuguro is commenting on would make it even richer.
Do Ozu movies have no conflict? I read Stormrider last year and coould barely make it through because there was so little conflict. The character was stressed by some of the events happening in town, but he was never struggling, or getting chased, or anything really.
If that's so, it makes me appreciate the book a little more.
The conflict in this book, like in the Ozu movies is very passive- there is the thoughtful pondering conflict, and there is the passive-agressive conflict between two people who are two polite to express what they are feeling. I do have to say though, that this is a pretty compelling book for being so devoid of conflict. At any rate, the thoughts and daily actions of Ono make for an interesting framework to base a discussion of the artist's role in society around.
Now I feel like posting about a book I read last year, "The Wind Up Bird Chronicles", because it is an interesting contrast to this book. Also takes place in Japan, and also has a hero who avoids conflict- but in this case, conflict is all around him. Perhaps I will make a post about it at some point.
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is on my reading list (and it's in the biblio-nationale's sweet sweet catalogue), so I'd be curious what you have to say about it...
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