J-Pop Culture: My Anime Fix and Geisha Woes
I realize that my posts are often incoherent and scattered, but life is chronological and not logically ordered. Sometimes I pot relative to importance. Other times I post relative to order. I just mentioned this incase someone decides to point that out. First my anime fix and next my psuedo book review.
Back tracking from my Honey & Clover DVD2, I was able to successfully order DVD1 for double what I would have spent if I were able to buy it when it came out a few months ago. Crazy I know, but I think it's worth it. I just hope the DVD gets here soon. I bought it from a third party. Amazon Japan has been pretty good at delivering it asap. I'm quite happy with everything I've gotten so far. It's the anime nerd in me okay! It's rare I get obsessed about anything, so XP. Oh yes I recieved DVD3 2 weeks ago and the 2006 calendar. ^^; I partly blame Garten for my Hachikuro obsession. I also recieved all five volumes of Paradise Kiss, the anime that took Honey and Clover's spot this fall. I'm surprised at how much I actually like it.
Books. Okay, currently I'm reading Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. And I've temporarily dropped reading Deception Point by Dan Brown since I need to finish reading Memoirs first since I borrowed it.
I will refrain from giving a full review as I am only half-way through the book. I've heard so much hype about this book. Even the person I borrowed this from raves about it. It's actually her favorite book. She's had several of her friends borrow it. It's even reached friends of friends backpacking in Europe and Spain. So this book--the one that is in my current posession--has been all around the world. The book itself is definitely had it's share of adventures.
Regarding the content of the book, I find it somewhat disturbing that a white middle aged man wrote a fictional story through the eyes of a Japanese Geisha of the early 20th century. I'm sure he's done his share of research. Arthur Golden did a decent job, but it hasn't blown me away, not enough for me to fully believe the stories. I watch so much anime and read so much manga and watch japanese dramas that it seems a tad trying (I realize that these are hardly accurate portrayals of Japanese culture, especially that of the ages back then, however there are bits and pieces of truth lying between each. You can get somewhat of a feel of how they are while extracting the sensational from real life). Some of the things he writes or claims--especially the dialogues between the geisha and other japanese characters--seem unnatural. I just maybe mistaken on the authenticity since he may as well be trying to appeal and reach out to Western audicence that knows little about Japanese culture.
I just may be a little nit picky about this, but it bugs me. If I didn't know any better, however, the book has been entertaining enough. If the story keeps on going the way it is, I already know how it will end. Three words "Tuesdays With Morrie" I'll keep you guys posted.
Feeling: Cold
Listening to: Something Corporate - North (2003)
Back tracking from my Honey & Clover DVD2, I was able to successfully order DVD1 for double what I would have spent if I were able to buy it when it came out a few months ago. Crazy I know, but I think it's worth it. I just hope the DVD gets here soon. I bought it from a third party. Amazon Japan has been pretty good at delivering it asap. I'm quite happy with everything I've gotten so far. It's the anime nerd in me okay! It's rare I get obsessed about anything, so XP. Oh yes I recieved DVD3 2 weeks ago and the 2006 calendar. ^^; I partly blame Garten for my Hachikuro obsession. I also recieved all five volumes of Paradise Kiss, the anime that took Honey and Clover's spot this fall. I'm surprised at how much I actually like it.
Books. Okay, currently I'm reading Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. And I've temporarily dropped reading Deception Point by Dan Brown since I need to finish reading Memoirs first since I borrowed it.I will refrain from giving a full review as I am only half-way through the book. I've heard so much hype about this book. Even the person I borrowed this from raves about it. It's actually her favorite book. She's had several of her friends borrow it. It's even reached friends of friends backpacking in Europe and Spain. So this book--the one that is in my current posession--has been all around the world. The book itself is definitely had it's share of adventures.
Regarding the content of the book, I find it somewhat disturbing that a white middle aged man wrote a fictional story through the eyes of a Japanese Geisha of the early 20th century. I'm sure he's done his share of research. Arthur Golden did a decent job, but it hasn't blown me away, not enough for me to fully believe the stories. I watch so much anime and read so much manga and watch japanese dramas that it seems a tad trying (I realize that these are hardly accurate portrayals of Japanese culture, especially that of the ages back then, however there are bits and pieces of truth lying between each. You can get somewhat of a feel of how they are while extracting the sensational from real life). Some of the things he writes or claims--especially the dialogues between the geisha and other japanese characters--seem unnatural. I just maybe mistaken on the authenticity since he may as well be trying to appeal and reach out to Western audicence that knows little about Japanese culture.
I just may be a little nit picky about this, but it bugs me. If I didn't know any better, however, the book has been entertaining enough. If the story keeps on going the way it is, I already know how it will end. Three words "Tuesdays With Morrie" I'll keep you guys posted.
Feeling: Cold
Listening to: Something Corporate - North (2003)
posted by shine
at
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
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