How I read Genji

[oyceter]

reading_genji is evil.

I'm not actually reading along with the book, because I had to read it once for a paper. My stupid university has this wonderful system for the fall semester in which classes end, students go on winter break, students come back from winter break and have a week and a half of Reading Period, in which they basically cram like mad for finals and write papers really fast. Reading Period ends on Dean's Day, which is when all papers for the semester absolutely must be turned in.

I borrowed the Seidensticker from the university library and basically read about one chapter prior to winter break, being a complete procrastinator. I dragged the book back to Taiwan with me too. This is no small fact! The thing was in hardcover and roughly the size (and weight) of two bricks! Also, I had to lug around other books to read for the paper (several books of and on Noh plays).

Surprise, surprise, I ended up reading only one more chapter at home. So I basically ended up reading all of The Tale of Genji on my 18-hour flight back to school, blearily keeping my eyes open and dutifully turning pages as fast as I could.

I felt like I was in a bit of trouble for my paper, since my one conclusion on finishing the book was, "OMG you skank!!"

In conclusion, attempting to speed-read a 1000+ page book is not a good idea.

Anyhow, I'm mostly just lurking around in the comments, dispensing completely random and unnecessary tidbits of whatever factoids I still remember from college and reccing books that I've only read a chapter of. But! I am having great fun with the snark.

Also, I think Genji needs to have his own LJ. I volunteer to do the occasional LJ-translation of whatever chapter is being posted on, but since I'm not actually re-reading the thing, it will be entirely based on what everyone else reports. Which means... skanktitude and mockery! Er, also, is reading_genji the proper place to post something like that?

And... are there any random bits and pieces of information that people want to know? I have a general mishmash of Japanese history, linguistics and assorted other things in my head, and I can never tell what people may find interesting. Of course, given that the last random tidbit I had was about yang-sucking succubi and the ev0l yin power of the vagina, I make absolutely no guarantees as to scholarly knowledge, attitude, or demeanor.

Comments

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

I would love to read Genji's LJ.