THE HEIKE STORY

by Eiji Yoshikawa ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

A Japanese medieval epic which scholars compare to War and Peace, now made available for American readers in a brilliant translation. Eiji Yoshikawa is an eminent Japanese scholar; his historical fiction, deeply indigenous in its approach- is a best seller in Japan. This is a long and complex novel punctuated with a number of haunting love stories, and telling the story of the leader of the Heike, a warrior clan that rose to eminence in the 12th century. Young Kiyomori starts life as the bastard son of a branch of the family fallen on evil days. In the prolonged intrigues of the Court, the confusing feuds between courtiers, puppet emperors and various factions of powerful families, fortune smiles increasingly on the Heike, who- through Kiyomori's lifetime and leadership, become the pillar of power to the throne. At the novel's close, we find the hero, once a malcontent who astonished his native land with his daring in battle, now become a feared and decadent tyrant, surrounded by would-be betrayers. But he has two redeeming gifts for Japan:- his sudden acts of mercy; his progressive talent for establishing foreign relationships through trade. The text, pruned considerably and interpreted for Western minds by the translator, is filled with moving incidents and delightful imagery. It requires patience- even effort- on the part of the uninitiated reader, but those who compass this will find it rewarding. Important publishing event for the light it throws on the Japanese mind and heart and history.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1956

Categories: FICTION