The Siren’s Lament

The Siren's Lament was an enjoyable collection of three short stories by Tanizaki Jun'ichirō. All three tales had something interesting to offer, but I think my favourite was "Killing O-Tsuya. It was the longest of the three and I felt that gave me time to really get involved with the characters and their situations. This is the second trio of short stories I've read by this author and I am certainly keen now to go on to read some of his longer works. Recommended if you like early 20th century Japanese fiction. I am giving this book 4.5 stars.

The Siren’s Lament is a collection that contains two short stories and one novella in the middle by the classic Japanese author Jun'ichirō Tanizaki. This was a great introduction to the fiction of Tanizaki (I’ve always wanted to read his novels, especially The Makioka Sisters), it is also a brand new translation by Bryan Karetnyk. The last short story is the title one, which is very fitting as all three stories in a way deal with the theme of women as temptresses, desire vs. morals, or reason. The most impactful and memorable text is the novella Killing O-Tsuya which tells a story of an elopement gone wrong. Some of the elements made me think of Macbeth (especially Lady Macbeth). I didn’t fully love the very ending of this story but still, it was a really captivating, somewhat theatrical, read. I breezed through these stories and would recommend them to anyone interested in less known classics. It definitely made me want to read more of Tanizaki’s works.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pushkin Press for the e-arc. The book comes out in September 2023 :)

I always longed to read Tanizaki's works and when I came across this book, I immediately interested. And after learning that this book contained his early works, I feel like I'm in good path. I'm not familiar with his writings yet, but I found myself enjoying all the stories in this book.

This book contains three short stories, written by Tanizaki in early years of his carreer. I liked all of them, but I think my most favorite will be The Qilin. Although I'm not familiar with Confucius or Chinese philosophy and history, I enjoyed the story quite much and it left me with some sort of feelings after reading that. I liked the sensation I was feeling after I finished reading the story. I also liked the second story. Killing O-Tsuya. I liked how the story turned from what I thought as forbidden love story drama with high possibilities of a happily-ever-after kind of ending into something brutal and tragic. I liked how things slowly leaning to the corrupted way step by step as I was advancing toward the ending. I enjoyed reading the third story, The Siren's Lament, but I found the ending to be quite unclear for me. But I found the story to be some sort of cooling down after all the euphoria of the second story.

I enjoyed reading Tanizaki's writings and I can't wait to read some more of his work. I think I would enjoy them as well.

Thank you for NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the e-ARC in exchange for honest review.

Great insight into Japanese and Chinese mythology. I’ll be on the lookout for more of Jun'ichirō Tanizaki’s writings.

Since I’m unfamiliar with the stories in these collections, I’m not qualified to comment on the accuracy of Bryan Karetnyk’s translation. The writing is smooth, and seems to lack artistic liberty however, which I highly respect and enjoyed.

Out of the three stories, I enjoyed “Killing O-Tsuya” most—it’s length allowed for deep exploration into the characters and their growth. “The Qilin” and “The Siren’s Lament” were excellent as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the eARC. All thoughts were my own.

This is a collection of three of Tanizaki's stories. The thematic link seems to be the enchanting (and corrupting?) powers women have over men. In the first story, we see Confucius try and fail to show a ruler that his blind devotion to his cruel wife is bringing ruin to his kingdom. In the second story, which is perhaps among the best I read by the author, a young apprentice falls in love with the daughter of his master, and goes on a journey that corrupts his soul and being to the core. In the third and final story, a mermaid enchants a disillusioned Chinese ruler, who leaves everything only to help her achieve her dream.

As ever, the author's writing is superb. It in itself is enchanting and indeed somewhat erotic in its style. Having read a lot of his work, these stories do not fall short. The characters are vivid and colourful, the writing is crisp and engaging, and the stories are interesting.

I also liked the editor's choice of putting these three stories together - they are indeed linked and it makes sense to read them together.

I did find myself struggling with think, though, the most. The moralising felt a bit heavy handed, a bit like in Tolstoy's Family Happiness, and perhaps didn't age well. Oh well.

My thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for an e-ARC of this title, to be released September 26, 2023.
Made up of 2 short stories and a novella, it appears none of these earlier Tanizaki pieces had been translated before. Translator Bryan Karetnyk provides the reader with a nice, short introduction - but this is one volume of fiction that could have been improved by including Footnotes to the text.
The first and last short stories have Chinese/Japanese historical and mythological settings.
But the real stand out here is the novella, "The Killing of O-Tsuya". Written in the early 20th C, it can stand with anything James M. Cain or the early Dashiell Hammett has written! Made into a movie twice in Japan (1934 and 1951 - both seem to be impossible to view anywhere), I could easily see this remade once more by Tarrantino or the Coen Brothers (Pushkin Press - you should send them copies of this book!). The ending is a bit abrupt - I wish he had developed the coming end of Otsuya a bit more.
Reading some of the comments on Goodreads, I think that having some experience, and understanding, of Japanese literature, if not with Tanizaki in particular, helps in appreciating this volume.
My thanks to Pushkin and Bryan Karetnyk for translating and publishing this short, outstanding, collection.
4.5 out of 5.

This was an interesting collection of three short stories. There is a common theme of wanting what you cannot have, or maybe desiring the unobtainable is a better phrase to use. Two of them are fantastical, the other not so much.

In these short stories Tanizaki’s writing shines through and that is exactly the highlight of these stories. The writing almost made the subject and the quality of the narrative not matter. Though the three stories were interesting enough, it was definitely the writing itself, the way the author expresses himself, that made me enjoy them as much as I did.

The longest story was the darkest and the most grounded in real life. The other two kind of read like fables or morality tales. I thought each of them very interesting to read.

What these stories did was simply wet my appetite to read more from this author.

A fantastic collection of short stories from a Japanese master of the form. When I first read Tanizaki, I felt a deep disappointment when the lack of translation of his work left me hungering for more. With the publication of this volume, I can only hope a new generation of readers can have their minds opened to a master of the craft.

A collection from one of the most important figures in 2oth century Japanese literature, exploring what are some of Tanizaki's more important themes of Japanese connections to older myths shared with China, and the dark nature of desire. And available in English for the first time.

A great collection to have on your shelf and dip into, and probably a must-have for any Japanophile. 4 stars.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

Translated from Japanese, the dark and glittering tales in this book will entrall readers. Will definitely be ordering for my library.

"The Siren's Lament" by Jun'Inchiro Tanizaki, a newly translated collection featuring two short stories and a novella, offers an intriguing glimpse into the intertwining of Japanese and Chinese mythologies, dark desires, and the fine line between the sublime and the depraved. The standout story for me was the novella, "The Siren's Lament," where a young prince, weary of constant debauchery, encounters a mesmerizing mermaid. This tale, along with "The Qilin" and "Killing O-Tsuya," showcases Tanizaki's exploration of cultural identity, family dynamics, and eroticism.

Each story in the collection has its unique allure, but it's "The Siren's Lament" that resonates the most. Its blend of mythological elements with human emotions creates a narrative that is both enchanting and thought-provoking. The translation by Bryan Karetnyk is seamless, maintaining the essence of Tanizaki's style, which is known for its rich, descriptive language and deep psychological insights.

Despite the novella being the highlight, the other stories are not to be overlooked. "The Qilin" offers a poignant look at the conflict between virtue and pleasure, while "Killing O-Tsuya" delves into a world of murder and corruption following a seemingly innocent elopement. Each story, through its unique lens, contributes to the thematic exploration of desire versus morality, making the collection a cohesive and compelling read.

Tanizaki's ability to create vivid, complex characters and his masterful storytelling are evident throughout the book. The tales, while rooted in mythology, have a timeless quality, making them relevant to contemporary readers. The exploration of themes such as temptation, the corrupting influence of desire, and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters are particularly engaging.

Overall, "The Siren's Lament" wass a 4-star read for me. It's a collection that not only offers an insightful look into Japanese literature but also invites readers to ponder the deeper aspects of human nature. For anyone interested in classic Japanese fiction (me!!) or looking for a literary journey that combines the mythical with the moral, this collection is a must-read.