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Journal d'un vieux fou by Junichirô…
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Journal d'un vieux fou (original 1962; edition 2002)

by Junichirô Tanizaki

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5081647,728 (3.57)22
Diary of a Mad Old Man is the journal of Utsugi, a seventy-seven-year-old man of refined tastes who is recovering from a stroke. He discovers that, while his body is decaying, his libido still rages on -- unwittingly sparked by the gentle, kindly attentions of his daughter-in-law Satsuko, a chic, flashy dancer with a shady past. Pitiful and ridiculous as he is, Utsugi is without a trace of self-pity, and his diary shines with self-effacing good humor. At once hilarious and of a sadness, Diary of a Mad Old Man is a brilliant depiction of the relationship between eros and the will to live -- a novel of the tragicomedy of human existence. Translated from the Japanese by Howard Hibbett… (more)
Member:hubertguillaud
Title:Journal d'un vieux fou
Authors:Junichirô Tanizaki
Info:Gallimard (2002), Mass Market Paperback, 214 pages
Collections:Your library
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Diary of a Mad Old Man by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki (1962)

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» See also 22 mentions

English (12)  French (2)  Spanish (1)  Italian (1)  All languages (16)
Showing 1-5 of 12 (next | show all)
La sofferenza e l'eccitazione sensuale, raccontate come da una prospettiva giapponese è lecito attendersi. Ultima opera - del 1961 - di Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, parla in modo diretto dell'avvicinamento alla morte (colpisce, in particolare, la precisione nel riferire farmaci e cure cui il protagonista è sottoposto) e della luce che il desiderio sessuale dona a una vita che sta per spegnersi. Interessanti anche i riferimenti alla cultura dell'epoca e alla descrizione delle ipocrisie dei rapporti familiari. ( )
  d.v. | May 16, 2023 |
Strange little book. But it does leave me wondering what becomes of the old man... ( )
  wahoo8895 | Nov 20, 2022 |
there are some really funny parts. at times hilarious, at times a meditation on the condition of aging that everyone is subject to. ( )
  rufus666 | Aug 14, 2022 |
What a strange and amusing little book. An old man keeps a diary describing in detail both his various ailments and medications and his infatuation with his daughter in law. The matter of fact way in which he prepares for his burial contrasts with his obsessive and devious scheming to be buried under a carved image of of his daughter in law. Knowing relatives and medical practitioners of all sorts humour him along the way. ( )
  Steve38 | Mar 3, 2018 |
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's short and very interesting. Basically, it's the diary of a declining, aging man. In this story he is seventy-seven years old, and his health since having suffered a stroke precludes him from doing much. However, he does enjoy writing in his diary. He must keep his diary secret as he is obsessed with love for his daughter-in-law Satsuko. He is always trying to entice her to be near him and to care for him away from the prying eyes of others. How this plays out makes for a bittersweet read.

I love this author's writing and, after finishing this book, quickly went out and bought another book by this same author. ( )
  SqueakyChu | Jun 18, 2016 |
Showing 1-5 of 12 (next | show all)
Tanizaki was a pro, and he was never more so than in this lean, taut book ... excellently put into English.
added by GYKM | editSaturday Review
 

» Add other authors (6 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Jun'ichirō Tanizakiprimary authorall editionscalculated
Coutinho, L.Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Coutinho, M.Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Hibbett, HowardTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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This evening I went to the Kabuki.
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...I can't deprive myself of at least this much of an adventure. I don't care if it kills me.
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Diary of a Mad Old Man is the journal of Utsugi, a seventy-seven-year-old man of refined tastes who is recovering from a stroke. He discovers that, while his body is decaying, his libido still rages on -- unwittingly sparked by the gentle, kindly attentions of his daughter-in-law Satsuko, a chic, flashy dancer with a shady past. Pitiful and ridiculous as he is, Utsugi is without a trace of self-pity, and his diary shines with self-effacing good humor. At once hilarious and of a sadness, Diary of a Mad Old Man is a brilliant depiction of the relationship between eros and the will to live -- a novel of the tragicomedy of human existence. Translated from the Japanese by Howard Hibbett

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