37 pages • 1 hour read
Snow Country
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Book Brief
175
Novel • Fiction
Japan • 1930s
1937
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata, set on the snowy northwestern coast of Japan, follows the doomed romance between Shimamura, a wealthy married man, and Komako, a geisha. Their relationship unfolds in and around an onsen, exploring themes of love, isolation, and the ephemeral nature of beauty against the backdrop of rural Japan's harsh winters. The book includes discussions of sex work and suicide.
Melancholic
Mysterious
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Serene
Reviews & Readership
36,681 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Yasunari Kawabata's Snow Country captivates with its exquisite prose and evocative descriptions of Japan's mountainous region. Critics laud its lyrical beauty and deep exploration of human emotions. However, some find the narrative's slow pace and ambiguity challenging. Overall, Kawabata's novel is celebrated for its artistic merit and melancholic depth.
Who Should Read Snow Country?
Fans of lyrical prose, introspective narratives, and evocative settings will admire Yasunari Kawabata's Snow Country. Readers who appreciate the nuanced exploration of human emotions found in Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day or the delicate beauty in Haruki Murakami's works will find this novel compelling.
36,681 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
175
Novel • Fiction
Japan • 1930s
1937
Adult
18+ years
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