Masks

This was a pretty interesting book. I read _The Waiting Years_ three years ago and had always intended to read more of Enchi's novels, for some reason or another it took me over three years to read the next one._Masks_ is a very interesting, but also very strange little book. The book revolves around two men, Tsuneo Ibuki and Toyoki Mikame, who are both highly educated and intelligent men, but all of their intelligence and education is thrown out the window when it comes to the widow, Yasuko Tagano.Tagano is a very pretty young woman who decided to remain with her mother and law instead of returning to her family after her husband's death in an avalanche. She shows interest in both me, but is unwilling to commit to either. The men believe that she is being controlled by her mother-in-law, Mieko. That remains to be seen. Very good book, and should be an interest to those who enjoy reading _The Tale of Genji_

I first studied this writer in college (with her book, The Waiting Years). I expected Masks to be similar, but it was extremely different. It is more modern and twisted. The story revolves around two women, one older and one younger (the younger is the widowed wife of the older woman's son). However, their relationship is not straight-forward; they have a psychic, almost sexual, connection. They use this connection to play with the hearts of the men around them. I found the descriptions in this book particularly striking; there is a party scene with the release of fireflies that I can still very clearly visualize. It was extremely enjoyable to delve into the dark depths of the two women. Just like in the story, the men are inconsequential. This is a great read for those who prefer things a bit uneasy and weird.

This book ought to be turned into a movie. Merchant Ivory could do it -- & so could Hollywood...anyway--this is a most readable story--deep in every respect. Who are these women: The mother in law--the daughter in law--the twin--the young wife--the maids? Who hatched the scheme? Who really wants to be with whom? How do you replace a dead son--husband--brother? Where do dreams and reality intersect? The characters and we are investigating the spirit world--communication beyond the grave and outside language. And the masks-the perfect metaphor-serene, quite, beautiful, culturally pure-who wears them and why--are they just a part of the ancient culture--like the women's outward appearance--something that adheres to formal requirements--or is something much more complex behind the masks--like the results of the women's activities? There is plenty to ask--and the book doesn't necessarily TELL YOU the answers--you are left to think about many, many questions. Some people have written that this book is about angry women. I think that is an interesting idea--but I don't see anger I just see women working within the confines of the culture they live in to get what they want. Is that anger or is that how power is actually wielded in the everyday world of men & women's relations. I think the later--but you need to read the book to answer that question for your self. This book is well worth the time to read. The story alone is compelling--the questions it raises will stay with you.

Fumiko Enchi has a remarkable body of work including short stories, novels and a translation of the _Tale of Genji_ from the Classical Japanese to modern (quite a task that legend speaks of her losing her vision partially to accomplish).This is one of the most amazing novels that I have read. It is about the rage of women and to what extraordinary lengths that vengeance and love can call in a woman and in a manner through all women. The text is imbued with references and imagery from classical literature (Enchi is a classical scholar as was her father) but not knowing the references does not detract from the raw power of the text.It is a short work and can be a dense read with some of the subtle references but the unmistakable cold anger that runs through it is markedly different from Enchi's other renowned work, _The Waiting Years_. The female characters are more dynamic and the male characters not as reprehensible as in her other works The novel may make some men uncomfortable in reading it since men are a focus of anger and vengeance.If you are familiar with Japanese literature and symbology the work provides an extra layer of meaning from the bare text. The blurring of real and dream is remiscent of older tale literature and the use of various images such as, Noh masks adds further resonance. There are no footnotes nor explanatory notes so be prepared for that.It is a pity that not much of Enchi's work has been translated but if you were to choose _Masks_ and the _Waiting Years_ you will not be disappointed.

It may be difficult for those who are not familiar with Japanese culture to understand. Love and the desire to to possess the loved one completely can become a frightening force, sometimes going beyond one's control. Ever experienced a love like that?