The Mask Carver's Son
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Book Overview
1890. Yamamoto Kiyoki is a Japanese art student, dreaming of studying in Paris with the inspiring and vibrant Impressionist painters. Yamamoto Ryusei is Kiyoki's father. Ryusei's art, carving intricate masks for traditional Japanese theater, has been his refuge from loneliness since the death of his beloved wife, and he is revered as the most inspired artist of his kind. He expects his only son to honor the traditions of his family and his country, not to be seduced by Western ideas of what is beautiful. Ryusei hopes Kiyoki will follow his own distinguished career, creating masks that will become the family's crowning achievement. But what is a father to do when his son's path is not what he had planned? And how can a son honor his father, and yet fulfill his own destiny? READERS GUIDE INSIDE
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0425267261
ISBN13:9780425267264
Release Date:September 2013
Publisher:Berkley Books
Length:384 Pages
Weight:0.70 lbs.
Dimensions:1.0" x 5.2" x 7.9"
Age Range:18 years and up
Grade Range:Postsecondary and higher
Related Subjects
Contemporary Family Saga Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Literary Literature & FictionCustomer Reviews
4 ratings
Lawyer from Seattle
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This books tells a rich, compelling story of family andpersonal conflicts and triumphs. The imagery is absolutely beautifuland the writing is fluid and detailed. It is filled with fascinating historical and cultural information. I learned an incredible amount about art and Japanese life. It is a real pleasure to read a good story and learn so much factual information in the process. I highly recommend this book!
Truly the best I've read in a long while
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
It took me a week to digest this entire story after I finished reading it before I felt qualified to write a short review of it. It has been some time since I've been so moved by a story such as this.The character development in MCS is stunning. I really felt that I knew Kiyoki personally, and suffered along with him as he strove to find himself. Many times, I found myself cheering him on, hoping for the best, and celebrating his joy and sorrow.I found the familial history not only to be critical to the plotline, but wonderfully presented in well-designed flashback chapters which segued well with the main story. In addition, Richman clearly knew her subject matter to have been able to evoke such images of Japan in the late 1800s. Her descriptions brought to mind many colorful and vivid images...to the point where many times in the quiet of my rooms I could hear sandals sliding across rough floors.I highly recommend this story. It only took me 3 days to read, I could hardly put it down. And that hasn't happened in quite some time!
VISUALLY EVOCATIVE, SOULFUL PROSE
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This beautifully crafted drama set in late 19thC. Japan and Paris reminds me somewhat of the rich and lush passages of "Shogun" in the sense you feel every texture, every emotion; see every visual, feel every nuance of discovery, of blossoming; every breath of death and despair. A beautiful touch the publisher added is an attached satin book mark--necessary to close the book from time to time to dwell on the richness of the images. This is a hauntingly lyrical book with a central character whose conflicts of life bleed through the pages. Historical changes seep throughout, setting a rich background for the emotional and heartbreaking tragedies and triumphs of one lonely man's passages through life and an era.
If you liked Memoirs of a Geisha, you'll love this!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
The Mask Carver's Son was a wonderful discovery for me. The author's voice sings with both the passion and the pain of an artist caught between two worlds. Richman connects the seemingly diametric cultures of Europe and Asia with seamless, exquisite prose. Not only does this novel weave historical information of an artist in turn-of the century Japan and France, it depicts a highly moving story of a difficult father and his conflicted son.
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