Cherryh between and It was first published by DAW Books in This collection includes the contents of two previous Cherryh collections, Sunfall and Visible Light , all of the stories from Glass and Amber , stories originally published in other collections and magazines, and one story written specifically for this collection "MasKs". Cherryh's Hugo Award winning story , " Cassandra " is also included.
Cherryh was voted the second best collection in the Locus Awards. Cherryh is best known for her science fiction and fantasy novels. Short story writing is an art she never considered until she had several novels published. The compactness and limited characterisation of the short story form did not lend itself well to Cherryh's precise and complex novel construction methodologies. In spite of this, she has proved herself quite capable of working in this medium and this collection as a whole has been well received by critics.
While novels are still her preferred medium, she does enjoy the chance to write short stories, doing so mostly when requested or between other works when a given idea does not lend itself to a novel. The collection contains almost all the short stories she had published through , with the exception of those published in the various shared world anthologies to which she has contributed.
This collection is divided into three sections: Sunfall stories from Cherryh's Sunfall collection plus a new story, "MasKs" , Visible Light stories from Cherryh's Visible Light collection and Other Stories stories from other collections and magazines. Perhaps it's my arrogant self-promoting conceitedness talking, but the only lasting emotion I felt after chucking this book in the garbage can was sheer pity for the poor soul that actually gets their jollies off this kind of story. Anyway, I'm exhausting myself just talking about this.
I threw on a second star only because from time to time the monologuing is broken up with some very well-done descriptive passages. Unfortunately this wasn't a braille travel magazine for the blind, so it didn't help much, but credit must be given where credit is due. Under no circumstance punish yourself with this book. Por fin me inicio con Enchi. Que gustazo ha sido leer cada palabra de esta novela.
La historia nos habla de Mieko y Yasuko, suegra y nuera.
Tag: Masks: A Novella
Ambas unidas tras la muerte de Akio, hijo de una, marido de la otra. Feb 20, Paige rated it it was ok Shelves: An interesting take on the metaphors of The Tale of Genji, but ultimately since I had to overanalyze this for a class, it fell short of being enjoyable. May 30, J. A novel that is disturbing, weird, and disturbingly inexplicable. It sounds straightforward on the surface, but there is a running vein of that inexplicable I just mentioned: Enchi successfully fuses Japanese dark lore with modern obsessions with art, fidelity, and the spiritually banal seances.
It all hurtles together in an inspired, black ending that one can't read in any one certain way, hence Enchi's genius! The relationships in this story do not have a chance in succeeding. You could say for each character they are deeply in love with someone who is not exactly there. There is an amazing essay on The Tale of Genji within that helps explain the "spirit possession" angle, an opening scene where the main characters attempt to communicate with the dead, which will undoubtedly be off-putting to some.
It is written into it not as a typical modern or postmodern indulgence though. It is about one of Murasa The relationships in this story do not have a chance in succeeding. The two scholars in love with Yasuko read it, as do we for clues to understand her and her mother-in-law, the enchanting yet subpar poet Mieko.
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It should be understood that Japanese culture to this day treats our funeral rites as if the dead are still among us. In this respect alone, how interpretation effects the present, we can see how culture is transmitted from one generation to the next. It is their fate to be understood only by men of a rare sensitivity like Genji, popular with women exactly for the reason that surrendering entails danger.
Like Murasaki who is outstanding on psychological details, Enchi builds up her story based on what cannot be articulated. The detail, for example, where she describes how a woman extremely refined in her art becomes that way as a mark of her inferiority complex. Or when it is described how a character lacks power for being "unable to achieve the solace of a religious indifference. Towards the end, one of the characters addresses women being superior to men psychologically, that is to say traditionally, out of necessity: That it was said at all by an ordinary citizen signals something monumental has happened post-world war.
Or earlier in the book, when she has a character say, that even assuming we could communicate with the dead it would be nothing to get excited about. The novel, then, is premised on three quests: On matters of style, Enchi's prose moves a bit more fluidly than Kawabata's at least in translation yet they both seem to be writing in the same spirit that dignifies the literature; they will describe the surroundings only if they see something poetic in it.
It may not simulate it in the prose but you get the feeling the poetry is definitely there. Aug 23, Jeanette rated it really liked it. This review is next to impossible. But I will give my take in reaction. I do know that it was creepy. It's about spirit possession in the sense that is used within the Tales of Genji. Fully comprehensive of a Japanese definitive for the inward controlled and focused power of women.
In this sense the daughter-in-law was the medium and her mother-in-law the controll This review is next to impossible. In this sense the daughter-in-law was the medium and her mother-in-law the controller. Many are merely used instead of loved for themselves or their own possible affection in return. Primarily men, but also a sub-normal IQ woman is used as if holding no significance herself. Not just the physical masks of the play that are so finely detailed as art and as symbols.
This holds the feel of the stories of Japanese fox spirits disrupting throughout the entire. Threatening and viscous, and sexual. All of these actions have dubious motives too, men and women. And women who are not capable have too strong a "spirit" not to achieve by sublimating themselves within a man are deemed more than a worthy adversary.
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And yet they are equated TOO- as "with power" witches. Evil closely connected within their purposes using this power. Unable to focus their emotive and intelligent nature inward normal - they focus it outward. Harmful "spirit possession" of others. May 15, Chelsea rated it it was amazing Shelves: Jul 06, Jenna rated it really liked it Shelves: Even if there are no children, I think both people are forever changed. The "what" of the story could be summed up in a few sentences, but the "why" yawns, darkly and at length, like some stray black cat hung with th "When a man and a woman have a physical relationship, it never ends there, does it?
The "what" of the story could be summed up in a few sentences, but the "why" yawns, darkly and at length, like some stray black cat hung with the weight of centuries of insidious superstition. The cast of characters is small: The text follows these characters through a succession of weird settings a seance, an exhibition of theatrical masks at a noh master's house, etc. But the focus is on the psychological rather than the sensual, the sublimated rather than the expressed. As one of the main characters says, "[T]he very idea of a mental striptease is barbaric.
Why do you think the human race spent thousands of years inventing clothes? There is a scene in which one character passes judgment on the poetry written by another: I suppose some people find it moving, but I couldn't work up a single tear. I could tell it was fake even before I knew about that incident Jan 12, Sarah rated it really liked it Shelves: As is usually true at the beginning of the year, I have quite a few books I received for Christmas that I would have probably never known about otherwise.
After ranting and raving about Japanese literature to my parents for a good portion of the year, I was gifted with several additions to my collection- granted, they're much more modern than what I had read before. Obviously, Masks was one of these novels; as well as being formerly unknown to me, this novel is proof that being given random book As is usually true at the beginning of the year, I have quite a few books I received for Christmas that I would have probably never known about otherwise.
Obviously, Masks was one of these novels; as well as being formerly unknown to me, this novel is proof that being given random books during the holidays can be a really good way to find some new avenues of reading. Masks is a concise little novel, yet there's a lot to be said about it. As well as containing a slow-building yet intense plot, it ties in with such classics of Japanese literature such as The Tale of Genji and Noh drama.
Masks by Fumiko Enchi
To newcomers, this may be exactly what turns them off from going any further, and understandably so; however, to me this is a treat that I did not expect. Masks really took me back to when I studied Genji , a period of study which I look back on very fondly. However, the various allusions are not clumsily done, nor do they stick out like a sore thumb. Enchi's knowledge of the classics is used in such a way that it embellishes the actual plot. For example, Mieko is consistently compared to Genji's Rokujo lady; for those that have read Genji , this is a major point of character development, which could be a downfall for those that have not read it.
Masks is anything but an uplifting story; centered around themes of jealousy, revenge and the grief process, it is meant to be a psychological exploration. More than anything, the novel focuses on Mieko, a mother-in-law who uses her daughter-in-law as well as her own daughter to cope with the loss of her son as well as "mask" her own feelings of contempt from long ago. By meddling in affairs that are not actually hers, she twists the fates of others around her, resulting in some catastrophic consequences. I have to admit that I got through this in one reading- while it starts slow, the action and intensity picks up incredibly well, making it quite the page-turner.
While I do not consider Masks to be in the same ranks as other Japanese works I've read, it's very different and very much an enjoyable read. I'm glad I own it! Oct 16, Andrew rated it really liked it. Masks, by Fumiko Enchi, is about two psychologically twisted women. One woman, widowed, and her mother-in-law, play a twisted game of seduction and sex, using people for their own purposes, and using each other too.
Enchi surrounds this novel with the paraphernalia of the Japanese Noh dramas. But you do not have to know about Noh couldn't resist to enjoy this book at all. The book, though a slim pages, is deep and penetrating. The two women keep everyone they use guessing at their purposes, Masks, by Fumiko Enchi, is about two psychologically twisted women. The two women keep everyone they use guessing at their purposes, guessing whether they even like each other, guessing at who is the smarter of the two, guessing at whether they are lesbian loversall this guessing keeps anyone from finding the real purpose of the game they play.
While the end is not horrific, it is disturbing in that their end plan is completely morally dubious. The book is captivating and shows the difference in Japanese culture and ours in many ways. The Japanese, so forthright about sexuality in many ways, compared to our prudishness. It also highlights the masks that they constantly wear, shifting from one to the other, constantly to keep revealing their true face.
Masks is an excellent book, and one that stays with you. With sly wit and sophisticated design, Masks is an extraordinary work of art. Enchi Fumiko's prose is deep, complex, and elegant, reminiscent of, and often compared to, Mishima Yukio. This is a story of manipulation. The main actors are: Here, the mask is used as a metaphor for hidden feelings of resentment, jealousy and bitterness, which the mother-in-law feels toward the others.
This woman, who had With sly wit and sophisticated design, Masks is an extraordinary work of art. This woman, who had lost her chance for lasting love many years before, machinates to destroy her daughter-in-law's prospects of happiness. The sophistication of Enchi's prose is exemplified through the interweaving of aspects of Noh, a classical form of Japanese drama, into her story. This element adds complexity and mystery to the story, especially for western readers unfamiliar with Noh. Her insights into the female psyche are fascinating. If you want to venture into this work, I recommend briefly reading up on Noh, even for a few minutes, for a more comprehensible and enjoyable reading experience.
Oct 06, Jim Fonseca rated it it was amazing Shelves: All the world's a stage, and the main character of this book - even though she is often behind the scenes - is a vicious, manipulative woman who controls those around her. All those she comes in contact with are in her theater, and she wrote the script, designed the set, and directed the play. Her son has died and now she is controlling her daughter-in-law and her daughter-in-laws' male admirers.
She eventually manipulates everyone, including a retarded woman, to gain a grandson to re-create her All the world's a stage, and the main character of this book - even though she is often behind the scenes - is a vicious, manipulative woman who controls those around her. She eventually manipulates everyone, including a retarded woman, to gain a grandson to re-create her deceased son. There must be a special place in hell for this woman. The book is translated from the Japanese and has a bit of local color from Japan of the 's.
The book was first published in and is translated from the Japanese. Some themes in the book include the Japanese noh masks and Japanese folklore about spirit possession. Dec 30, Lianne rated it really liked it Shelves: Masks is the first Japanese literature book I have read on the recommendation of my husband who took a Japanese lit class in college, a long time ago , and it is an excellent book.
It is the story of complex relationships and manipulation: While the main story is fairly straightforward, the underlying layers make it even more interesting - espe Masks is the first Japanese literature book I have read on the recommendation of my husband who took a Japanese lit class in college, a long time ago , and it is an excellent book. While the main story is fairly straightforward, the underlying layers make it even more interesting - especially the references to spirit possession and the ideas of women and power in Japan.
Io so i cieli che scoppiano in lampi, e so le trombe, Le correnti e i riflussi: Le Albe sono strazianti. L'acre amore mi gonfia di stordenti torpori. Oh, la mia chiglia scoppi! Ch'io vada in fondo al mare! Le Batteux Ivre Il battello ebbro - Rimbaud View all 3 comments.
Less of a review but more a random hodgepodge of thoughts. I think that's what made this book initially strange to me- this near academic attitude towards spirit possession. Two main characters study spirit possession in a University and spirit possession is a hidden hand that guides some of the characters actions- it is a metaphor for unknowable emotional compulsions, perhaps. Extreme emotions a Less of a review but more a random hodgepodge of thoughts. Extreme emotions are controlled and hidden like in a mask and expressed supernaturally.
Conns sister into switching places something that never works ou Meh, more of a 2. Conns sister into switching places something that never works out well for sister, btw, so I guess she's also TSTL. Sister - an elementary school teacher - reluctantly goes along with it. With whips and chains. Fortunately for suck-er-sibling, H is not actually into that sort of thing, so other than scaring her good, and giving her a really good time, she gets off relatively unscathed - until H says her real name and the game is over. She bolts, won't speak to twin for two weeks two weeks?
Sorry sis, there are limits to sisterly love. Eventually, H approaches her at work! Oh, and she decides after this debacle she needs to keep up with sis more. Aug 20, Shanna rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: The characters were great and well developed for such a short story.
I loved the twin aspect and switching places. It was an interesting twist of events when Chloe found out what her sister did for a living and decided to help her all the same. The sex scene was one of the hottest I've read in awhile. I love, love, loved every raw, sexy bit of it. I also enjoyed the daring new things Chloe tried and the caring way Mark talked to her.
Mark, wasn't he just hot? I loved the way he was super muscular, but still a geek at heart, and despite the accident he had, I was glad Chloe accepted him and thought he was still handsome. I wasn't sure what to think when things went a little wrong. I know Chloe had to be super upset with the situation, but who wouldn't be honestly? I'm just glad that they found a way to move past the incident and ended up together. It'll be worth your time! A simple favor turns into an unforgetable night.
Chloe is asked by her twin sister Zoe to switch with her. All she has to do is pretend to be her for this important client. The kicker is Zoe is a dominatrix and Chloe is a shy teacher who is about as opposite from her sister as can be. Zoe gives her three rules to follow: Stay in control, never have sex with a client, and never take off the mask Well lets just say some rules are meant to be broken. There is a little Alpha male, a bit of bondage and A simple favor turns into an unforgetable night. There is a little Alpha male, a bit of bondage and an unforgetable experience for little ol' Chloe.
Will this hott night end with only memories or can Mark convince Chloe to take a chanch? Great little quick story. Another freebie that left me happy and wanting more. Writing and characters were wonderful and intimate scenes were sexy and not overdone. May 08, texxie-PRUFreads. This was a VERY short erotic read. I gave it 4 stars though due to the "aww" factor.
Erotica is what it is but for me, I need some heart or it just does'nt vibe. Zoe and Chloe are twins who could'nt be any more opposite in personality and life style. It's not until Zoe asks her sister for a favor, does Chloe realize jus how opposite they really are. Zoe's not in banking as sis always believed, she's a dominatrix and nursing a hurt ankle.
There is a very special "client" Zoe can't risk losing so it's time to trade places. Again, this was a very short read so I can't say there was alot of build up. The sex scenes were definately hot and well written. It was how the storyline developed afterwards that was most endearing to me. I loved the little twist and Mark in general. Apr 26, Kelly rated it really liked it Shelves: A bit far fetched but hell it's fantasy.
I don't want to give anything away because I thought the mask thing was going to go in a different direction. This hero will burn your ears with all the dirty talk!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A very short but very sweet and erotic tale! Dec 30, Nikki rated it liked it Shelves: This is a short erotic read. It was decent enough if not a little cheesy at times. It did have a mini plot but was mostly fluff.
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I liked Mark and the ending was sweet! Dec 23, Olivia rated it it was amazing Shelves: This was really short, but it was still a good read. The intimate scenes were sexy as hell. I liked the ending, it worked well with the book. Jan 24, Heather rated it it was amazing. Me likie this one. This was a steamy little read. Mar 17, Danielle Thomas rated it liked it Shelves: Sep 21, Sci-fi Reader rated it it was amazing. Such a cute and sexy little book! It is quite short but I think it was a freebie or either 99 c, I can't remember.
It's a typical Anderson romance but I like typical Anderson romances. Sep 20, Deborah rated it really liked it. Chloe and Zoe are identical twins but, are total opposites. Zoe always stood out in school and got a lot of attention, while Chloe always stood in the shadows and wasn't as popular. Zoe decides to help her sister come out of her shell and asks Chloe if she can take her place at her job for one night.
Chloe thinks that she is an investment banker until Zoe tells her that she is a Dominatrix and that the client is too important to lose. Chloe finally decides to give in and her sister gives her 3 ru Chloe and Zoe are identical twins but, are total opposites. Chloe finally decides to give in and her sister gives her 3 rules to follow. Don't lose control of the encounter. Don't ever have sex with the client 3. Never take off her mask. Mark Jacobs was a computer tech and business owner that told Zoe about the problems that he was having getting a woman, when he came to repair Zoe's computer.
Zoe thought that it would be great to set Chloe up with Mark without letting her in on it or telling her about his secret. Chloe was actually having a good time with Mark even though she had broken each rule that her sister had given her until, she figured out that her sister set her up once again. Chloe has to decide if she can forgive her sister and allow Mark to become a part of her live or if she is going to continue to be the shy and lonely woman that she's always been. I really liked this book, it was funny and very sexy.
I would recommend reading it!!! Jan 24, Hypia Sanches rated it it was amazing. This is the second story by Evangeline Anderson that I've read - the first one was Str8te boys, which I also enjoyed. Chloe is sent by her twin sister to a kind of blind date with a man named Mark - read: Zoe, Chloe's sister, is a dominatrix, and pretends to be injured and asks her sister to see a "client". Obviously, please, forgive any writing mistakes here A short story with some "kinkiness" hello, 50 shades of Grey fans , with sisterly love, and a rainbow-flowers-and-butterflies happy ending.
Obviously, unlike her sister, our Chloe is very Anastasia Steele-like, and doesn't know anything about being a dominatrix. She has dated before, but this "meeting" went very differently from her previous experiences. Did I mention the guy is a rich businessman Christian Grey style who happens to have burn scars over half of his face?
And he also happens to be geek - his company does computer maintenance services. Chloe finds out everything was a "scheme", but they had fallen in love - impossibly fast; which bothered me a little. But, it's a short story, so, I can "ignore" it and just enjoy the reading. Obviously, everything is solved " If you put aside any comparison with 50 Shades of Grey the light BDSM, "innocent" young woman, rich and famous guy, and so on , it's a really fun e-book to read. Jan 27, Debbie rated it really liked it.
When Chloe's twin sister Zoe asks her to swap places with her, she's hesitant. The last time they switched was in high school and it didn't turn out well for Chloe. Zoe has sprained her ankle and needs Chloe to pretend to be her with one of her new clients. Zoe isn't really the investment banker her family thinks she is. She's actually a dominatrix. After being assured she doesn't have to have sex with the guy and gets to wear a mask, Chloe agrees, although she's scared and nervou When Chloe's twin sister Zoe asks her to swap places with her, she's hesitant.
After being assured she doesn't have to have sex with the guy and gets to wear a mask, Chloe agrees, although she's scared and nervous. When Mark knocks on the door, it's obvious to him that Chloe is scared. Instead of sitting back and letting her take the reins, he becomes the one in control. With the tables turned everything changes. Chloe has a very romantic evening with Mark and hates it has to end. But there was one thing her sister didn't mention. A big thing actually and its a deal breaker. Chloe jumps to the wrong conclusions and doesn't allow Mark to explain and may mess up something that could be more for both of them.