Because of the boyhood trauma of seeing his mother make love to another man in the presence of his dying father, Mizoguchi becomes a hopeless stutterer. Taunted by his schoolmates, he feels utterly alone untill he becomes an acolyte at a famous temple in Kyoto, where he develops an all-consuming obsession with the temple's beauty. This powerful story of dedication and sacrifice brings together Mishima's preoccupations with violence, desire, religion and national history to dazzling effect.
Imprint: Vintage Digital
Published: 23/02/2010
ISBN: 9781407053882
Length: 256 Pages
RRP: £9.98
A dark vision...a beautiful, disturbing novel
Mishima writes with a fury that seldom flags
Glitters with images of beauty and destruction, cruelty and sacrifice, dedication and betrayal
An amazing literary feat
I adore Mishima's prose and vivid descriptions. They pull me out of my daily reality