A Tale of False Fortunes
A Tale of False Fortunes is a masterful translation of Enchi Fumiko’s (1905-1986) modern classic, Namamiko monogatari. Written in 1965, this prize-winning work of historical fiction presents an alternative account of an imperial love affair narrated in the eleventh-century romance A Tale of Flowering Fortunes (Eiga monogatari). Both stories are set in the Heian court of the emperor Ichijo (980-1011) and tell of the ill-fated love between the emperor and his first consort, Teishi, and of the political rivalries that threaten to divide them. While the earlier work can be viewed largely as a panegyric to the all-powerful regent Fujiwara no Michinaga, Enchi’s account emphasizes Teishi’s nobility and devotion to the emperor and celebrates her "moral victory" over the regent, who conspired to divert the emperor’s attentions toward his own daughter, Shoshi.
The narrative of A Tale of False Fortunes is built around a fictitious historical document, which is so well crafted that it was at first believed to be an actual document of the Heian period. Throughout Enchi’s innovation and skill are evident as she alternates between modern and classical Japanese, interjecting her own commentary and extracts from A Tale of Flowering Fortunes, to impress upon the reader the authenticity of the tale presented within the novel.
Superbly crafted fiction that ranks at the top of Enchi’s historical novels.' —World Literature Today Winter 2001'Both a postmodern and a feminist masterpiece' —Choice, October 2000'Accessible and engaging ... A Tale of False Fortunes works both as a novel and as an introduction to a fascinating historical setting.' —dannyreviews.com
'<i> A Tale of flase Fortunes </i> is a highly readable translation of an extraordinary piece of writing by one of Japan’s outstanding 20th century literary figures, Enchi Fumiko (1905-1986).' Barbara Hartley, Central Queensland University <p> 'It is this work, ably translated by Roger Thomas, that is now given to us by the always active and discerning University of Hawaii Press.' Donald Richie, Japan Times, May 2000
