The most famous work of Japanese literature and the world's first novel -- written a thousand years ago and one of the enduring classics of world literature.

Written centuries before the time of Shakespeare and even Chaucer, The Tale of Genji marks the birth of the novel--and after more than a millennium, this seminal work continues to enchant readers throughout the world.

Lady Murasaki Shikibu and her tale's hero, Prince Genji, have had an unmatched influence on Japanese culture. Prince Genji manifests what was to become an image of the ideal Heian era courtier; gentle and passionate. Genji is also a master poet, dancer, musician and painter. The Tale of Genji follows Prince Genji through his many loves and varied passions. This book has influenced not only generations of courtiers and samurai of the distant past, but artists and painters even in modern times#8212;episodes in the tale have been incorporated into the design of kimonos and handicrafts, and the four-line poems called waka which dance throughout this work have earned it a place as a classic text in the study of poetry.

This version by Kencho Suematsu was the first-ever translation in English. Condensed, it's a quarter length of the unabridged text, making it perfect for readers with limited time.

"Not speaking is the wiser part,
And words are sometimes vain,
But to completely close the heart
In silence, gives me pain."

#8212;Prince Genji, in The Tale of Genji

• We started tracking this book on August 19, 2011.
• This book was $9.99 when we started tracking it.
• The price of this book has changed 86 times in the past 4,914 days.
• The current price of this book is $4.99 last checked 5 hours ago.
• This book is at its lowest price in the past year.
• The lowest price to date was $3.69 last reached on January 29, 2016.
• This book has been $3.69 one time since we started tracking it.
• The highest price to date was $12.34 last reached on November 7, 2017.
• This book has been $12.34 2 times since we started tracking it.

• Science Fiction & Fantasy

• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 241 Pages
• File Size: 1,243 KB