Plot Summary

The Makioka Sisters

Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
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The Makioka Sisters

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1943

Book Brief

Jun'ichirō Tanizaki

The Makioka Sisters

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1943
Book Details
Pages

544

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Japan • 1930s-1940s

Publication Year

1943

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Makioka Sisters by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki follows the lives of the elite Makioka family in Osaka between 1936 and 1941, focusing on their attempts to find a husband for Yukiko amidst their declining social status and the looming threat of World War II. Sensitive topics include family pressure, social decline, and illness.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

3.9

10,837 ratings

75%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's The Makioka Sisters masterfully depicts pre-WWII Japanese culture through the lives of four sisters. Critics praise its rich, elegant prose and intricate portrayal of family dynamics. However, some find its slow pacing and detailed narrative challenging. Overall, it's lauded for its nuanced exploration of tradition vs. modernity.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Makioka Sisters?

Fans of nuanced, intimate portraits of family life and societal change will enjoy Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's The Makioka Sisters. Perfect for readers of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina or Austen's Pride and Prejudice, this novel offers rich character development, cultural insights, and an exploration of pre-war Japan.

3.9

10,837 ratings

75%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

544

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Japan • 1930s-1940s

Publication Year

1943

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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