Synopses & Reviews
During the Heian period of ancient Japan (794-1185 AD), when Chinese was still the official language of power and politics, even privileged women of the imperial court were not allowed to learn Chinese and wrote instead in Japanese, using — an abbreviated and vernacular system of written characters. Writing in this subordinate script, they produced some of the greatest works of world literature, including Murasaki Shikibu's — often considered the first novel — and Sei Shonagon's sui generis, confessional Pillow Book.
About the Author
Rivka Galchen is the author of the novel Atmospheric Disturbances. In 2010, The New Yorker selected her as one of its notable "20 Under 40" young writers. She lives in New York City.