BOOK BRIEF

The Temple of the Golden Pavilion

Ivan Morris, Yukio Mishima
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The Temple of the Golden Pavilion

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1995

Book Brief

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Ivan Morris, Yukio Mishima

The Temple of the Golden Pavilion

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1995
Book Details
Pages

247

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kyoto, Japan • 1940s

Publication Year

1995

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Temple of the Golden Pavilion by Yukio Mishima, translated by Ivan Morris, tells the story of a young acolyte who becomes obsessed with the beauty of a Zen Buddhist temple. Struggling with personal trauma and an ever-deepening fixation, the narrative explores themes of beauty, destruction, and psychological complexity.

Reviews & Readership

4.1

21,089 ratings

72%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Temple of the Golden Pavilion by Yukio Mishima, translated by Ivan Morris, is lauded for its lyrical prose and deep psychological insights. While some critics find the novel's pacing slow and its themes dense, most agree that its exploration of beauty, obsession, and existential angst is compelling and masterfully crafted.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Temple of the Golden Pavilion?

Ideal for readers drawn to deep psychological explorations and post-war Japanese society, The Temple of the Golden Pavilion by Yukio Mishima and translated by Ivan Morris appeals to fans of existential quests seen in Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment and Kafka's The Metamorphosis. Themes of beauty, destruction, and identity resonate throughout.

4.1

21,089 ratings

72%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

247

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kyoto, Japan • 1940s

Publication Year

1995

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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