Mori Ōgai (Book order)

Mori Ōgai Book order

February 17, 1862 – July 8, 1922

Mori Ōgai stands as a foundational figure in modern Japanese literature, known for a distinctive style that blended his personal experiences with a profound exploration of the samurai code. His early autobiographical works, like "The Dancing Girl," introduced a new era of intimate, confessional writing to Japanese fiction. Later, Ōgai shifted to historical narratives, using a detached yet powerful prose to examine themes of honor and self-sacrifice, mirroring the samurai ideals he deeply admired. His literary legacy lies in his piercing psychological insights delivered with a controlled, integrity-driven voice.

Gan

165 pages
6 hours of reading

3.5(16)Add rating

Gan (geese) evokes Meiji-era Tokyo: its alleyways, rivers, mansions, poverty, and occasionally tense class interactions. Okada, a student at the most prestigious university in Japan becomes entangled in the romance of a disenfranchised woman and an ethically suspect merchant. At a time of rapid social change, Mori examines the social and economic pressures that continue to bind it's characters, who yearn for freedom. Circumstance, rigid social structure, and the familial and financial obligations drive the characters forward to Gan's powerful ending. Notable for it's deep exploration of character motivation, as well as its wonderfully elaborate female characters, Gan is an exceptional example of early 20th century Japanese Literature. It looks on a changing world, explores its faults and glimmers of hope, and lingers for a moment, bittersweet, at the thought of it's passing.