Botchan

by Natsume Sōseki, Kin-Nosuke Natsume, Kin'nosuke Natsume

Book Overview

One of Japan's most treasured novels--new to Penguin Classics

A hilarious tale about a young man's rebellion against "the system" in a country school, Natsume Soseki's Botchan has enjoyed a timeless popularity in Japan. The setting is Japan's deep south, where the author himself spent some time teaching English in a boys' school. Into this conservative world, with its social proprieties and established pecking order, breezes Botchan,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 014139188X
• ISBN13: 9780141391885
• Release Date: March 2013
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

my first classic literature

i've never fully finished a classic before because the language is just not something i'm acclimated too but in my opinion, this book is a good start. It's a bit less intimidating and more digestible for novice.

One of the best Japanese novels ever! And its funny!

Lighthearted. Fast moving. Hilarious. These are not adjectives usually associated with classic Japanese literature or with Natsume Soseki, an author whose image graces the 1,000 yen note in Japan. Soseki's intense novel "Kokoro" (which translates as "heart" or "spirit") is famed for its insight into the Japanese soul. But he was a young man once too, who laughed and loved and mocked, and this early comic novel is no less penetrating for its sense of humor. "Botchan" is the classic City Mouse tale. Botchan is a Tokyo boy, through and through. Lazy, unmotivated, and spoiled by the housekeeper who raised him, he suddenly finds himself needing to make his own way in the world when his father dies and his older brother inherits the fortune. Thinking school is easier than work, Botchan takes his brother's offer to pay his way through university. Life is good so far, but even Botchan must graduate, and he finds himself educated and assigned as a middle school teacher in a rural town in the island of Shikoku, Japan's most rural island. Arrogant and sure of his superiority over the hicks, Botchan quickly runs afoul of the locals and winds up in a merry war with both students and co-teachers. Reminiscent of the best of Mark Twain's yarns, "Botchan" is layers upon layers of wit and hijinks. A short, snappy novel, the narrator's own self-assurance blinds him from the mechanisms against him that are so obvious to the reader. All the townspeople are pure characters, each with their own Botchan-given nickname such as "Porcupine," "The Hanger-on" or "Redshirt." Twined into the story is Botchan's protective elderly maid, Kiyo, who's blind support and admiration of Botchan only feeds his swelled ego, yet adds a touching element of humanity to the tale. Added to all this is Soseki's brilliant insight into the Japanese school system. Over 100 years later, little has changed and I laughed out loud as Botchan experienced things that I experience every day as a teacher at a Japanese high school. To see a Japanese person, especially one as revered as Soseki, voicing the very thoughts in my head is an absolute pleasure. Anyone wanting an authentic insiders look into Japanese society and culture would do much better laying down their copy of "The Enigma of Japanese Power" and picking up a copy of "Botchan." J. Cohn's translation is perfect, preserving both the humor and the insight, and manages to portray the class differences of the Tokyo and Shikoku dwellers without resorting to cheap tricks like using Southern US accents and such. He must have a great sense of humor himself, and I look forward to more translations from him. Insightful and penetrating, a window behind the hidden doors of Japan, "Botchan" is also hands-down the most entertaining Japanese novel I have ever read. Highly, highly recommended.

Truly a Classic

Soseki is a literary figure of such importance in Japan, his face appears on the 1000 yen note. This book is almost universally considered to be among the most important works of Japanese literature of all time. But don't let that turn you away from this book. It's not biographical, but considering that Soseki lived and worked in conditions he wrote about, the story has a sense of reality and understanding that others often lack. Soseki's main character is the ultimate embodiment of the "ugly outsider." As a member of urban high society, his sophisticated sensitivities are constantly assaulted by the coarse nature of the rural lifestyle and people that surround him. An effectual foreigner, he is constantly reminded that he is a fish out of water, often in a humorous way. A highly recommended book if you are planning on living and working in Japan, or to anyone who is feeling like an outsider. You may find a kindred spirit, as well as inspiration to reevaluate your situation.

Make Sure You Get the Alan Turney Translation !!!!!

I'm the writer of the 2nd review. I came back here just to remind readers who are interested in reading the English translation of Natsume Soseki's masterpiece BOTCHAN: MAKE SURE THE ONE YOU GET IS THE ALAN TURNEY TRANSLATION PUBLISHED BY KODANSHA INTERNATILNAL!!!!!Why bother writing another review? Well, I think the 4th review written by Mr. Patrick Robbins may mislead readers buying a terrible translation. Judging from what Mr. Robbins wrote, "but this translation dates from the Twenties or so", the terrible translation he wrote about should be the one by Umeji Sasaki dates back to 1922 published by Tuttle. I know that one and it is horribly terrible. In fact, there are also other English translations but none can compare with the Alan Turney translation. Make sure you get the right one!

Don't Miss This Japanese Novel If You Can Read English

I read this novel in Japanese first, then I tried Alan Turney's English version. I think Alan did a very good job. He translated Natsume Soseki's masterpiece faithfully and humourously. If you cannot read Japanese, try Alan Turney's English version. You can enjoy this novel (in English) as well as Japanese people do (in Japanese)!

Humor gives insight into Japanese thought.

This book is an international literary classic that gives readers in other cultures the opportunity to percieve the Japanese culture. It is the story of one arrogant, rash young man who seeks to go into teaching and discovers the world of burocracy and politics. Tied up in the story line are the fundamental Japanese values of honor, loyalty, efficiency and obedience. A delight for any reader seeking greater knowledge of their culture.