The Tale of Genji
Written around 1010, this is the world's first novel by any reasonable definition — and it was written by a woman at the Japanese imperial court.
“No art or learning is to be pursued halfheartedly... and any art worth learning will certainly reward more or less generously the effort made to study...”
Why It Matters
Written around 1010, this is the world's first novel by any reasonable definition — and it was written by a woman at the Japanese imperial court. Murasaki Shikibu mapped the inner lives of her characters with a psychological subtlety that European fiction would not match for centuries. It is proof that the novel as a form was not a Western invention.
The 
Take
Personal reviewSo far ahead of its time I’m shocked. Just relationship drama for the whole book. Some great lines, love how they converse via poems. Crazy good realism for a book from 1000. Genji is the man
Notable Quotes
“The memories of long love gather like drifting snow, poignant as the mandarin ducks who float side by side in sleep.”