Actively learning Japanese for 5 years already (started even earlier but back then it was rather non-consistent entertainment for me then the actual language learning). Currently, I am at N3 level. Decided that I need to somehow surpass the plateau, as my learning curve started to degrade, and as a challenge decided to buy myself Shimazaki Toson’s “Broken Commandment” (“HaKai”) and to read it in original.
That was quite a task, I would say. I found myself in ocean of kanjis – some were known and some were yet to discover, especially those related to household item’s naming and expression of feelings. Lot of a grammar structures from N2 + levels, as well as some outdated grammar and words/combination of kanjis – nobody told me that it shall be easy, eh.
The book took me whole 3,5 months to read through. With the help of dictionary and Internet, of course – which I used really frequently, as well as with the help of official translation to my native language being ready in case something is completely non-understandable. Sometimes there were pages, where things yet unknown to me were literally in every sentence.
The book is great. The plot, even taking into account the specifics of the Japanese community’s structure in XIX century, is understandable, and it deals with the problem of discrimination on the basis of one’s lineage. Characters feelings are clear and natural, which lacks in modern blockbuster’ literature, as per my opinion – for myself it was like the sip of a cool refreshing water.
For me the style of writing (as far as I can judge from my own translation) is like Chekhov’s one. The idea of a “Little Man” (not literally, but rather in the sense of a social status) and the fair/equal attitude to everybody is also present. However, it does not mean that this is some kind of imitation – the style of author is indeed unique and the ideas are expressed through prism of Japan society.
Got a lot of positive emotions during this self-imposed challenge. But even if one is not ready to do the same – I would like to suggest this book to everybody, being the great book itself, whether in original Japanese or in one’s native language.
P.S. Judging from point of view of my native language – the Japanese version was more colorful in describing the nature and circumstances of some scenes enhancing them by nice metaphors and comparisons, which were not present in translation for some reason.
