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The Tale of Genji Audiobook
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Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji in the 11th century to entertain the other women in the court. It follows the romantic exploits of the title character, an emperor’s son, as he navigates life within aristocratic society and eventually outside of it. Praised for its psychological insight into the characters’ motivations, the book greatly influenced Japanese culture and is widely considered the world’s first novel. In 1882, Suematsu Kencho translated a condensed version of the text into English, allowing this classic tale to reach a wider audience.
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About Murasaki Shikibu
Lady Murasaki Shikibu (c. 973 or 978–c. 1014 or 1031 CE) was a member of the famed Fujiwara clan—one of the most influential families of the Heian period in Japan. Her literary ability quickly won her a place in the entourage of the Empress Akiko. After the death of her husband, Murasaki Shikibu immersed herself in Buddhism, and the religion’s influences permeate her writing.