Subject
British -- Japan -- Fiction Books
Best books
Clive Holland
My Japanese Wife: A Japanese Idyl
"My Japanese Wife: A Japanese Idyl" by Clive Holland is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around a Western man, Cyril, who has fallen in love with a Japanese woman named Mousmé, during his stay in Japan. The narrative captures their courtship, cultural contrasts, and the protagonist's reflections on love and marriage in a foreign land. The opening of this novel introduces us to Cyril's romantic feelings for Mousmé, described as a delicate and enchanting butterfly from Japan. As Cyril interacts with his Japanese friends, he grapples with societal expectations and prejudices regarding marrying a Japanese woman. Through vivid descriptions of their encounters, notably at a tea-house in Nagasaki where they first meet, the reader gains insight into the enchanting landscape of Japan, the intimate cultural nuances, and the whimsical nature of Cyril's affection for Mousmé, setting the stage for the ensuing exploration of their relationship and the intricacies of cross-cultural love.
H. De Vere (Henry De Vere) Stacpoole
The Crimson Azaleas: A Novel
"The Crimson Azaleas: A Novel" by H. De Vere Stacpoole is a fictional work set in the early 20th century. The narrative begins with two Scotchmen, Dick Leslie and Tod M’Gourley, journeying along the picturesque Nikko Road in Japan, where they encounter beautiful landscapes and engaging conversations. As they travel, they are drawn into a series of enchanting and sometimes bizarre events, including the appearance of a mysterious blind man and a lost little Japanese girl named Campanula. The opening of the novel introduces the unlikely friendship between Leslie and M’Gourley as they navigate both the physical challenges of their journey and the complexities of their pasts. Through witty dialogue, reflections on life, and their interactions with the vivid Japanese scenery and culture, Stacpoole weaves an exploration of loneliness, companionship, and the quest for belonging. With the arrival of Campanula, the story hints at deeper themes of connection and the unfolding consequences of their journey in this beautifully rendered world.
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