Skip to main content

*Yukio Mishima - Star* (book)

 Star is a short story by japanese writer Yukio Mishima originally published in 1960 and the english version in 2019.


A powerful and engaging analysis of fame and the anxieties and insecurities that may come along with it. The story centers around Rikio "Richie" Mizuno, a young movie star that is frequently typecasted as a hardened yakuza in crime films. Despite the fame and the adulation of thousands of female fans, Rikio feels disillusioned with the film industry and even his own fame. Mishima manages to weave a tale with mastery that constanly switches from Rikio, the rich and famous young star and the characters he plays in movies. 

This story was overshadowed by other Mishima's works but it retains the ground in a beautiful and exquisite meditation about existence and death from one of Japan's most influential and charismatic authors of the postwar era.

Hypnotic and mesmerizing in its own right, it's an interesting read from this writer whose life was as tribulated as some of his stories and characters. 




Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

*Khruangbin - LateNightTales*

  A brilliant and accessible double LP that showcases Khruangbin favourite tracks and influences providing an actual sonic globetrotting experience. The journey starts with "Illuminations" featuring Alice Coltrane and Santana, a spiritual intro for an incredible journey. The second track "I know that (when the spring times comes)" by Brilliantes del Vuelo is a mellow dubby reggae inspired track that gives a way to the more energetic "Khushi" by Nazia Hassan, a bittersweet quasi disco sounding track. "DRM" by Kelly Doyle is a rather short but breezy instrumental song that keeps the spirit of the sonic traveller alive. Side B starts up with "Don't go" by the south korean rock pioneers Sanullim, a very 80's new wave delight type of song. "I like it (don't stop)" by Maxwell Udoh is a rather amusing disco type song with romantic lyrics, very danceable stuff. "Enseñame" featuring David Marez is a lounge type so...
Post a Comment
Read more

*Jonzun Crew - Lost in Space*

  Spectacular funky hip-hop from the 80's. The group was led by Michael Jonzun and his brothers Maurice Starr, Sonny and Carl. The group was highly influenced by Afrika Bambaatta, they wore wigs like Mozart and dominated the electroboogie sound like bands such as Parliament.  All the tracks are great and unique. Wonderful band that has yet to find its real listeners. The green solid reissue is gorgeous.  Interesting for fans of Daft Punk. 
Post a Comment
Read more

*Jon Jost soundtracks - Last chants for a slow dance // Slow moves*

  A friend sent me this CD that he produced and edited under his indie label, Plancton music. I was unfamiliar with Jon Jost's work as a director  and after having listened to this CD, I decided to watch two of the feature films featured on this soundtrack: "Last Chants for a slow dance" and "Slow moves". Both films are as contemplative as they are rebellious in the showing of character's emotions and motivations, serving as characters studies of the drifter who seeks meaning and some kind of spiritual refuge in everyday life. The songs were composed by Jon Jost with the exception of one song, "Fixing to die" who was co-written with Kajsa Ohman. The soundtrack is comprised of bittersweet country songs intertwined with some audio excerpts from the films. There is a pervasive melancholy and longing for better times and the drifter ethos in searching and seeking eternally, meaning that the destination is never as enchanting as the travel. The audio ex...
Post a Comment
Read more