Ebook The Tale of the Heike Helen Craig McCullough Books

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The Tale of the Heike is one of the masterworks of Japanese literature, ranking with The Tal of Genji in quality and prestige. This new translation is not only far more readable than earlier ones, it is also much more faithful to the content and style of the original. Intended for the general audience as well as the specialist, this edition is highly annotated.

Ebook The Tale of the Heike Helen Craig McCullough Books

"To explain my selections: it's translated, it's a classic military tale & it's from the 12th century"

Product details Paperback 504 pages Publisher Stanford University Press; 1st edition (March 1, 1990) Language English ISBN-10 0804718032

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The Tale of the Heike Helen Craig McCullough Books Reviews :

The Tale of the Heike Helen Craig McCullough Books Reviews

• This is a modern version of an ancient Japanese classic. Helen McCullough has rewritten the story in manageable modern English while retaining the Japanese character of the tale. This is not a book for the casual reader. Instead, it is aimed at those with extended knowledge of Japan's history and culture. The Tale of Heike deals with a critical historical even that echoes down the centuries. For those with that level of interest, it is valuable.
• This 'classic' isn't dry or boring if you look behind the facade and dig into Japanese history. It's a good history in many respects. The translation (which can destroy something in the transition from one language to another) is very good.
• Translations of Japanese and Chinese classics are often hampered by the archaic language used in the originals. This was not the case here and the translator has achieved a balanced fusion of great story-telling and accurate presentation of the text. This is no small achievement since the Heike tale is populated by many diverse characters some of whom are only mentioned once whereas others have great influence on the plot despite their brief appearances.
  I have found that the best way to read the book is to treat oneself to the episodic nature of the chapters. This reflects the original format of the story; that it was expressed in minstrel style story-telling by the "biwa-hoshi" in nightly recitals. As such each segment of the story can be treated like individual pearls in a string, each complete and entertaining by its own merit but strung together to form the whole epic saga of the Heike. Attempts to read the book in the style of a conventional Western novel with its continuous narrative will result in frustration since the story seem to take many didactic excursions and side plots. This may also have been the rootcause to the earlier frustration of another reviewer who encountered too many characters to comprehend at one single reading. A similar experience can be found if a first time reader tries to read the Bible continuously from Genesis to Revelation.
  The other great challenge in this translation is in its reference to the characters of the story. The long titles accorded to each individual felt cumbersome and unnecessary at first but as I continued reading I began to appreciate that the original narrators of the tale were relating to the traditional Japanese audience, not the modern reader. As such the titles and honorifics were not only essential but required for reasons of protocol. Many listeners in feudal Japan were related or held similar positions to those described in the story. This realization helps the reader to savour the vintage of this work.
  The book also helps to lift a veil over 12th Century interaction between Japan and China. The narrators often recited characters from ancient China as part of the shared heritage of Japanese perceptions of honor and duty. The exchange of ideas and cultural practices between the two empires comes across as very vital and alive at that period as expressed by the presence of a Chinese physician during Taira no Shigemori's death. My initial fascination about the extermination of the Taira (from reading the story of Earless Hoichi from Kwaidan by L. Hearns) have been greatly enriched by the full account of the Gempei Wars found here in the Tale of the Heike. The sense of karmic justice where the terrible fate that befell the Taira clan was a direct result of the evil deeds of Kiyomori was all but pervasive in this book. Great reading!
• This book is great, an awesome read for lovers of Japanese Classics and those studying Japanese history or culture. With my other Japanese Classic literature it tops off my collection.
• This great creation speaks for itself over so many years. Sensitive and touching translation which puts the reader into the culture and history of Japan.
• Google Helen and you will she that she was "the pro from Dover."
  
  We lost a great scholar when she passed away.
• To explain my selections it's translated, it's a classic military tale & it's from the 12th century
• This book is interesting if you want to know some history of the Japanese culture, It is a translation of another book and it is very close to those writings.