The Tale of Genji. Book 2

The Tale of Genji, created at the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries by Murasaki Shikibu, a court lady of Empress Shyoshi, is considered one of the most outstanding works of Japanese literature. And not only Japanese - in fact, this is the first psychological novel in the world. Telling the story of the life of the main character - Shining Genji, the son of Emperor Kiritsubo, and his descendants, the author shares her observations and thoughts with readers. Detailed descriptions of everyday life, love and other human relationships permeated by the "sad charm of things" (mono-no aware) create the impression of meeting living people, intimate acquaintance with their feelings, thoughts, joys and sorrows, which are followed by the Heian era, its culture, life of the aristocracy, beliefs and customs.

This edition presents the second part of the novel (chapters 21-38), which deals with the retribution for the sins of youth committed during the search for the ideal woman, which is described in the first part (chapters 1-20)