Yukio Mishima - Star (スタア) BOOK REVIEW

[@kanelowrey4089]

I like that Clifford reviews literature that isn't just the Western greats, always hidden gems to be found.

[@fernandomercado2711]

"If you don't like Mishima that's fine." Yeah... right. XD

[@fernandomercado2711]

"[S]ome of these lines are fuckin' ... stellar." - Best pun about a novel titled Star. 10/10.

[@profdiegoalmeidahistoria9957]

OLA, I AM FROM BRAZIL, I AM LEARNING ENGLISH AND I LOVE LITERATURE, YOUR VIDEOS HAVE HELPED ME A LOT. I LOVED TO SEE YOU QUOTE MY COUNTRY IN THE VIDEO. I WISH YOU A LOT OF SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS, AN EMBRACE FROM MINAS GERAIS BR.

[@ilsaaguilera2518]

Yasssssssss more Mishima please, i really love your reviews❤

[@ethandull3116]

Fantastic review, Cliff. I’ve enjoyed your channel from the beginning. Your videos keep on getting better and better. The faith you have in books is refreshing and leaves me inspired. Never stop.

[@Jinke888]

In a whisky stupour fell on to your reviews - love the selection of books and love the reviews even more. You are doing god's work here brother

[@literallyricky]

Your Patrick Bateman is ON POINT! Just read this after Confessions..., The Sailor..., and Life For Sale. Mishima is now my favorite author! I'm obsessed as much with his incredible writing as I am with what a fascinating figure in history he is. I also love how he is intrinsically inextricable from his Art. I am loving having your videos on Mishima to go to when I've just finished one of his novels or when I'm looking for the next one to go to. Thank you so much!

[@AnarchHive]

With the 50th anniversary of Mishima's death this year, I'm really hoping for some new translations into English. Perhaps finally Kyoko no Ie?

[@AnarchHive]

@@MrDinghus Some good news finally! Thx for letting me know, I'll check that one out! :)

[@thebasedgodmax1163]

aw man i want that book so bad

[@chase36chase]

best book review channel on yt

[@alyssaserlet]

You probably would like to know that some other reviewers, as you try to understand the complexity of this man's story, come to a point that they figure Mishima ached for Japan, as in a simbiotic relationship with its nationality and ancestry would have wounded him so that he became a mouthpiece of the land he came from and as such, needed to express through him what she felt by the events that went during his life time. Good job man, your conclusions and descriptions are very assertive well thought out and impeccably articulated.

[@DTJ2024]

I wish I had a friend like Cliff 🥺

[@stefanionescuambrosie6814]

I really like these customized intros for the recent videos

[@ellismanning3163]

Always love seeing Mishima on the channel, Forbidden Colours has always been one ive been interested in, even more so since learning about the David Sylvain and Ryuichi Sakamoto song inspired by it. I reckon you might really enjoy The Day Lasts More Than A Hundred Years by Chingiz Aitmatov, he’s got a rather unique perspective. Also would love to know where you got to with Khrasznahorkai!

[@adhithyaravindra7580]

This was the first book recommended on your channel that I read and I watched the review after reading the book. I can't really describe the feeling after reading the book... Sort of like reading "The Picture of Dorian Gray" but with way more poison because it feels more immediate and recent. How it ties back to his life story is just insane. Also liked the video on "Nobody wants to read your shit." Brutal, but helpful. Thanks for the recommendations and keep them coming! Cheers, from India.

[@culloden23]

I did a senior paper on Mishima in college, I focused more on his death and stated his books foreshadowed his death.

[@DiamorphineDeath]

I'm happy New Directions continues to put out Mishima's works, as well as Pounds for that matter. Reading "Life for Sale" by Mishima right now, and it's interesting to see how much the "I can't wait for death" motif pops up throughout his work.

[@AnneSofieLovesMozart]

Holy shit what a great review on the book as well as on Mishima's life himself. I liked your dissecting of romanticism a lot. How it must come to a natural logic conclusion if followed to the end.

[@bobobobic9330]

3rd review on a week? Is it christmas?

[@toliyeptho3313]

Just found your channel and I'm loving it🤗

[@TiagoMartins-yy6fx]

Great review! I don't know anyone who does close as a good job as you. Always super interesting and in an hypnotic flow of speech.

[@ssslin_is_me]

Even this review makes me upset. can expect the intensity in this Mishima. These days, i keep thinking about his self-pride, so enormous to the point of self-devouring, and his soul, "a romantic not cured yet " in his own words... Absolutely love this review, man! Checked all the bookshops for this piece today that sell penguins' literature in Kathmandu (where I live currently), finally a Tibetan owned bookstore promised to book one for me. 😌 Made my day!

[@MrHeroFamily]

Interesting enough, 25th November is the exact date when Mishima published his debut novel back in 1949, Confessions of a Mask. He purposefully arranged this date, to complete the cycle he designed, so to speak.

[@javierUN]

Osamu Dazai "No Longer Human" when??

[@ronace1190]

It's crazy to see your comment minutes after I commented and recommended it to him! I hope he reviews that soon

[@KonradSeverinHilstad]

In a way, with him (Mishima) being such a tragic figure I see sort of a parallel with Knut Hamsun. Your review of "Sult" (Hunger) is what got me to your channel to begin with. Would you please consider doing a review of his other great work, Growth of the soil?

[@rahulsen4340]

i haven't read any of knut hamsun yet but i have 'mystery' by him.how is it?

[@maxilopez1596]

Mysteries is my favourite of his works

[@sodubairob8251]

I managed to get my hands on a one-volume edition of the Sea of Fertility tetralogy recently; so looking forward to getting stuck in.....

[@timkjazz]

Great read, Mishima should have won the Nobel.

[@airmark02]

life changing series of novels ~ i ought read them again

[@agmacdonald]

I love Japanese authors, but I had never heard of Mishima before. I have been trying to get through all of Haruki Murakami's work, and even read some Banana Yoshimoto. This book sounds really interesting and I can't wait to pick it up.

[@rodneyshackelford7529]

Good review. Thank you

[@Kokirikid101]

I’m really happy that some more obscure Mishima is getting translated like Frolic of Beasts and Life for Sale. It would be a dream come true if this Mishima renaissance in the west would culminate in Kyoko’s House finally being translated into English. The man himself considered it to be among his most important works and I believe bar the Sea of Fertility it’s the work he spent the most time on (a consistent 15 months). Waiting and praying 👏🏻

[@Steve-lt1op]

I have just read story of the eye followed by star, they will both stay with me for sometime, up next... valerie and her week of wonders

[@JacquesWarren]

I did not know that book. Seems like he started to lay out his intentions way before Sun and Steel. Thank you for pointing out the Shrader interview. I just wish they had talked about the actual movie, which I hold dear. It is an absolute piece of art, brilliant, and displaying a profound understanding of the man and his oeuvre. Choosing Kyoko's House (鏡子の家), which had not yet been translated yet at the time I believe (and not one of Mishima's best known novels), showed how well the Schraders understood his works. Even the casting was brilliant if you know Japanese actors. Anyway, it was very gracious of Paul Schrader not to steer the interview towards the film and leave all the room to our beloved narcissist.

[@brockeldon444]

Awesome editing here, man. Can't wait to read the book!

[@alicefreecs8211]

You have a beautiful reading voice. Please consider doing audiobooks

[@nozecone]

He did not 'stage a coup' - he attempted a coup.

[@Graenelolz]

Thanks for the clarification about the circumstances of his hilariously absurd suicide, it didn‘t make sense to me at all when I first read about it. I guess I am intrigued by the devotion of the author and will try to read his works now.

[@Mermeht]

@betterthanfood what is your opinion on ebooks and e-readers? I bought a kindle last Christmas and it has got me reading alot more.

[@christiansanaploianu911]

Where should one start with Yukio Mishima? Very interested in reading his work.

[@nozecone]

I would go with Confessions of a Mask or Temple of the Golden Pavilion. I believe those are the best, and the most accessible.

[@rayanknezic8682]

Perfect timing now that Europe is on lock down I ll start Mishima's last books maybe Proust hell we ll have plenty of time now...

[@Tribecasoothsayer]

Please share your thoughts on Stanislaw Lem. Not sure if you care for existential Sci- Fi, but in my opinion he’s the best. I don’t know Polish language, but Michael Kandel’s translations are filled with love, humor and puns. Probably as Lem intended. Such a joy to read.

[@margoquadra6967]

I just wanted to come back and thank you for recommending this book. Star broke me out of my reading slump. I'm obsessed with books that have similar themes with The Picture of Dorian Gray, and this one fit the bill. Book peeps, please leave a comment if you have suggestions on what I should read next. Thanks!

[@reaganwiles_art]

there is a fascinating essay (ostensibly) about Mishima, following Mishima's death, about his death, his limits, his failure, if you will, to fulfil uhh, the promise of LIFE! by Henry Miller in whassit? Uhh a book of six essays but also published singly as "Reflections on the Death of Mishima".

[@marcelhidalgo1076]

Just finished it. Second favorite Mishima book.

[@Flowering_Glume]

Lol! Yes! Dick Cavett is the man! You know someone is the shit when you can manage to interview Miles Davis and he actually has fun being interviewed by you. That's nearly as impressive Klaus Kinski sending thank you cards to the crew of Fitzcaraldo (that would be the day)

[@nickolette22]

What a great review to such a small book. I’m not a patron and maybe I don’t have business discussing this, but for the international shipping - I have an American, uk and German accounts in Amazon and use them depending on where I want shit delivered. Just an idea. Cheers

[@andrepeixoto4253]

Aaah o have to read Mishima! I have two books to read in my book pile, wich is almost the size of a grown man :D

[@anon2034]

Thanks man! There is an oratory by Jonathan Bowden about Mishima. The recording is not of good quality but I think you will appreciate it!

[@madking1021]

What's the best book to start with Mishima?

[@nozecone]

I would go with Confessions of a Mask or Temple of the Golden Pavilion. I believe those are the best, and the most accessible.

[@ronace1190]

Please explore japanese literature and review No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

[@hankwedelmusic9965]

Gotta wonder if Yoko Ono was hip to this book... A star, disgruntled with his enormous fame, who’s in cahoots with an older woman who helps plot his every move, eh? Christ! You know it ain’t easy... Thanks for the turn on, btw Will investigate...

[@vishmonster]

Never let evil take root!

[@gordonbgraham]

Agree with you on Dick Cavett.

[@timkjazz]

After this great book go to Great Jones Street by Don DeLillo, a novel about a rock star tired of the life.

[@unchartedrocks1]

That Patrick Bateman impression though lol

[@JuanReads]

I've been meaning to read Mishima for a while now, but I never know what to begin. I think I am going to pick up Star soon. Thanks!

[@mjuzumaki]

Try "After the Banquet" . It's short, straight to the topic & very engaging in my opinion.

[@JuanReads]

@@mjuzumaki Thank you so much! I'll see if I can find that one.

[@airmark02]

the sound of waves ~ a beautiful heart warming love story & not very typical Mishima

[@JuanReads]

@@airmark02 Thank you. Duly noted!

[@johnb.1020]

I was guessing that he wrote this around his performance in Afraid To Die. Good guess.

[@bobcabot]

...there is a "funny" rumor about him still making the rounds in the highest literary circles in Japan: he didnt commit Seppuku because the failed attempt of that putsch in 1970, but because of the sheer fact that in `68 Kawabata did get the Nobelprize instead of him...

[@faltrax]

I discovered Mishima a few months ago thanks to this channel. Read Sun and Steel a few weeks back. And I have to say, almost everything in his literature and words points to the inevitable that was soon to come. You can sense Mishima's passionate idealism and yearning for the void reverberate through his novels. The fact that he died the way he did, it's literally like his life was a greater novel in which he wrote these smaller novels to foreshadow the things to come. A spine-chilling wordsmith and warrior. He's definitely becoming one of my favourite authors.

[@lalitborabooks]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@Citi_lightss]

Please review Voyagers of Hell.

[@Mxe00.]

Its a must read if you like fantasy fiction.

[@malikvallo9741]

Yo, must watch Dick Cavett is the one with Cassavetes, Gazzara, and Falk when they’re promoting Husbands.

[@chaidle]

I love you man. From Korea.

[@chaidle]

I welcome anyone who appreciates him. Anytime dislike of my world arise, I take to read him. A man who could live coherent life.

[@MatthewMan1997]

I really expected to like Mishima, I was fascinated with his life story, but I tried reading Temple of the Golden Pavilion and I couldn't get through it. The narrator was soooooo narcissistic and neurotic but also pathetic that I just hated spending time with him. Which had never happened to me, I can usually handle unlikable characters. I don't know, should I try again? Does he have any less-neurotic lead characters in other books?

[@AleksandarBloom]

While reading serious literature, empathizing with characters - or not, is totally irrelevant to the merits of particular book. Just ignore yourself while doing it, or you will miss important bits. It should be easy with Mishima, because he draws a lot from Mann, which means, his characters are scrambled ideas, concentrated zeitgeists, knots of too obvious meaning etc.

[@MatthewMan1997]

@@AleksandarBloom hmmm, so what exactly is Mishima trying to get at in Temple then? It felt to me more like a Solipsistic cry than anything else. Like a celebration of neurosis, of a "society doesn't understand my genius" mentality. Maybe you're right, maybe I couldn't take myself out of it, but you can never truly remove yourself from a piece of art no matter how "serious" it is. I don't really enjoy narcissism. Maybe Mishima was making a statement about narcissism by making a narcissistic character who was ultimately powerless and pathetic? It didn't feel that way to me, it felt more like an unconscious extension of the authors own insecurities, but maybe it was lost on me in the translation or the historical/cultural barrier. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Temple of the Golden Pavilion though.

[@fernandomercado2711]

(Edit I had used the mic to write this out and just edited out the nonsense) I had the same problem with the novel Simone by Eduardo Lalo, it had won the Rómulo Gallegos award when it came out. The novel turned out to be "a novel by a professor ABOUT professors and made FOR professors". It’s incessant navel-gazing really made it difficult to get through it...all though it wasn’t poorly written. The theme felt like most literature out of PR: about the loss of manhood and how that's tied to the current neo-colonial status of the Island. It seemed more like an instagram friendly quote book.

[@MatthewMan1997]

@@SunCe225 thanks! I'll check it out.

[@joegambitt7414]

Maybe try "the sailor who fell from grace of the sea"

[@kflecha1]

I love this channel 🧡📷

[@kflecha1]

@Space Monkey Thanks!

[@jackoneste128]

One day you'll likely see the same type of things (right wing evolution of an artist, very contradictory life, ritualistic death foretold in his own novels) in McClay and Sanction. Kinda spooky. I know Mishima influenced him a lot. "Rilke writes somewhere that modern man can no longer have a dramatic death" - Mishima

[@maxilopez1596]

He'll make a come back, yes

[@FlintSL]

That jar got a good ol'shake. But on the real, what is your coffee setup at home? I'm curious. What do you think of instant/the pods you can buy for a machine?

[@ItsVyy]

Mishima, maybe with the exception on Pynchon, is in my opinion the most interesting writer of the 20th Century. Just a cursory look into his background and life brings up so many questions that you just can't help but be curious.

[@happymaskedguy1943]

Hey Mr Sargant, how's it goin.

[@jimbofatstacks5883]

You do a great Patrick Bateman!

[@alexk7046]

maybe Mishima's individualism was actually a longing for a lost conformity

[@connectgfv6775]

try original Evangelion Its on NetFlix

[@ZaxololRiyodin]

No weeb crap plz

[@connectgfv6775]

@@ZaxololRiyodin If you were joking then this was a bad joke and if you did not then do you possess god's eyes which have the potential to judge anything and please can you call a movie you love crap from my side that would be helpful.

[@Tribecasoothsayer]

Why do the great authors kill themselves?

[@hhdhpublic]

Shit youre on an upload streak. edit: also, mishima++

[@vrixphillips]

don't forget: he designed the uniforms too lol. Poor guy. Proof that not all gays have good fashion sense loljk I've had this book since soon after it came out! Looking even more forward to reading it!

[@franciscprager2425]

first

[@DrSleep00]

I see a resemblence with Mishima to Kurt Cobain (theyre ending)

[@rahulbaidh]

Hold on there.

[@MatthewMan1997]

Cause they both killed themselves? A lot of writers kill themselves... Hemingway, Plath, Woolf, DFW... I don't remember Kurt Cobain trying to overthrow the government with a samurai sword.