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Established in 2007 by the Leatherby Libraries, the Community of Readers is the summer reading program for Chapman University. This program is open to everyone who has borrowing privileges at the Leatherby Libraries and a current library account, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Members select books from the Leatherby Libraries and receive prizes upon submission of their first review. The only requirement is that books must be obtained through the Leatherby Libraries.

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Monday, July 16, 2018

An Artist of the Floating World

TitleAn Artist of the Floating World
AuthorKazuo Ishiguro
Call NumberPR6059.S5 A89 1986  
Location2nd Floor Humanities
RatingSomewhat Recommended
Book ReviewJapan is recovering from the loss in WWII, and artist Masuji Ono looks back at the years he  proudly dedicated his art to Japanese war propaganda. But with defeat came a cultural shift where those who contributed to the imperialist practices from the war where shunned. Ono's past art pupils and other acquaintances avoid him to prevent their own reputations from being ruined, even though they were just as involved as he was.

The book is from Ono's point of view from the past and present. It was dull at some points because the plot vaguely mentions what kind of art Ono did during the war. But this is perhaps a way to express how no one wanted to speak of a war effort that lost. So many of the characters, including Ono's two daughters, hint about the past rather than speak frankly of how his reputation as a propaganda artist may have caused one daughter's fiance to suddenly cancel the marriage once finding out Ono's past.

Overall the story was slow, and I kept forgetting what I was really reading about because the main plot was only being hinted at. I had to keep reading the short summary at the back of the book to remember.
Submitted ByCatalina Lopez
Department or MajorLeatherby Libraries
StatusStaff
Chapman Emailcalopez@chapman.edu

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