The Blue-Eyed Tarokaja: A Donald Keene Anthology

I will tell you right off the bat that I like this book very much, that I love Donald Keene very much, and that he's my sensei. Therefore, go ahead and mark the "this review was not helpful" box if you must. I'm not saying I've lost all forms of objectivity... I'm just saying that this book was clearly intended, at its core audience level, for someone like me, and, quite simply, it has hit the mark. Call me biased if you want, but if you're a reader of my particular bend, it shouldn't matter. It's not a perfect book. It could have included more. However, what it does, it does damn well, and it's very deserving of five-stars. Throughout the different sections, Donald's essays on various topics are presented, often introduced through humorous and/or meaningful anecdotes of his own. The entries are all very interesting and lively to read, insightful memoirs from someone who understands Japanese literature, language and culture well and conveys that understanding better than probably anyone else. Writings included in this book are rare, and they are not found in his other volumes. Most of them were published in magazines and newspapers, many Japanese. Some of this is appearing in English for the first time, and all of it, unless you have access to tremendous research capabilities, will be difficult, if not impossible, to find elsewhere. It is all of high-quality and more than worthy of a spot on the bookshelf of any taroukaja. Donald Keene will be a legend after he dies. If you want to get to know him, read this book. It's as close as you can get to him, and nothing is hidden. So there's my bias for you. I laid it bare on the table. It's warranted, though, and since no one else has taken the time to review this book, you're stuck with my very favorable opinion. :)