Tale of Genji

"This Norton Critical Editions features the unabridged Dennis Washburn translation of Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji. Composed in 11th-century Japan, The Tale of Genji is considered by many to be the world's first novel. The narrative follows the life of Hikaru Genji as he navigates the intricacte world of aristocratic society. The "Contexts" in this Norton Critical Edition provide a wide range of insightful reactions to reading The Tale of Genji between the 11th and 20th centuries. These selections provide insight into the language and composition of The Tale of Genji, as well as critics' attempts at classifying the work over time. "Criticism" provides nine essays on The Tale of Genji which explore the narrative themes and impact of the novel. A Glossary, and chronologies for The Tale of and Murasaki Shikibu, and a Selected Bibliography are also included"--