The Great Passage | 
pick(2011, English translation 2017)
This was a delight. It's an understated story about the relationships and preoccupations of a publishing team as they prepare a new dictionary. The story takes up questions about the relationship between words and the concepts they signify, the value of experience in forming definitions, and the ever-changing nature of language. Thoughtful and charming, and recommended.
Kohei Araki had devoted his entire life—his entire working life—to dictionaries.
#FirstLineFridays
#ShyBookOwl
pickLexicographers working for a Japanese publishing house spend 15 years on bringing out a new dictionary.
A lovely story wonderfully translated so that the non Japanese speaking reader can, to some extent, grasp the nuances the lexicographers discuss. I was surprised how little impact computers seem to have made on the methodology used in compiling the dictionary. 👇
Kohei Araki had devoted his entire life—his entire working life—to dictionaries.
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl
My #LetterG book for the #alphabetgame is a wonderful story about Japanese lexicographers - beautifully written and skilfully translated so that the non Japanese-speaking reader can understand the nuances the lexicographers are discussing.
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
#readingbracket2022 #readingbracket
Lots of strong contenders in May and June. 🤺🤔
Thanks, @chasjjlee for the bracket layout! 🥳🥳🥳
pickI loved this book. It's subtle, quiet, and profound.
The story is about creating a new, more comprehensive dictionary. A huge undertaking. The attention to detail, both in their work and in the novel's language is amazing. For example:
“Words gave things form so they could rise out the dark sea.“
“A dictionary is a ship that crosses the sea of words.“
Exquisite.
pickThe blurb calls this charming and hearwarming, and I agree entirely. It is worth reading if you‘re interested in how dictionaries are put together. I liked how the translator pulled off discussing Japanese in English. A book to pair this with is The Word Detective, by John Simpson, which is about his work at the Oxford English Dictionary.
pickA slow subtle tale of how a passionate pursuit of something like a dictionary can ignite and define purpose in their lives. Excellent writing and an amazing story.
pickA life dedicated to words and their meanings. Araki, Majime, Matsumoto and their colleagues at Gembu Publishing Dictionary Editing Department and their dedication to lexicography and the completion of The Great Passage, a comprehensive celebration of the Japanese language.
#goodbyebotm @Hooked_on_books
Thanks for hosting this fun giveaway! The tagged book is one my book club really loved. It‘s a beautiful, quiet story about the decade-spanning project of creating a new dictionary. We had lots to discuss!
pickA lovely story of Japanese lexicographers wonderfully translated so that the non Japanese speaking reader can, to some extent, grasp the nuances the lexicographers discuss.
In the story of the characters' interactions and feelings the translator used a style that felt “foreign“ but read very fluently. And who would have thought it possible to bring tears to the eye in a story of lexicographical triumphs and failures?
All the stars.
“Mitsu, be honest. When in your life did you ever fit in? You‘ve always got your nose in a book, and you‘ve never brought a single friend or girlfriend here.”
“I don‘t have friends or a girlfriend.”
“Then why let it bother you now all of a sudden, if you don‘t fit in?”
pickThis was one of the free World Book Day books from Kindle. It‘s a sweet (and sometimes sad) tale of a group of people compiling a Japanese dictionary. If you like words, definitions and quirkiness you‘ll love this book!
@RachelO I think you‘ll enjoy this one....
so-soAfter reading this, I am certain that I will never look at a dictionary the same way again. The work that goes into putting one together as described in this book was painstaking. Sadly, I found it a little too tedious. There were some good moments, but not enough for me to give it a "pick."
pickThis was a pleasant little read. I'm not sure if anything was lost in translation as it was a little strange in some places. The characters were likeable and interesting and the ending was quaint but not in a cliched way.
pickA small team of lexicographers compile and publish a dictionary over fifteen years. Sounds dry? Not in the least! It's delightful, a feel-good book without saccharine or fluff. I loved the contrast between Majime's precision and exhaustive referencing with the definition of words and his ineptitude with the spoken word (and his love letter is at once funny and painful).
I can only regret what I must have missed by having to read in translation.
Kindred spirit, anyone? Actually, Majime makes me look like a total amateur.😉
(Yes, that is my ancient Kindle, getting in on the Litsy action once again!)
Just started this one. Very interesting so far.
I love this prose. How beautifully the words are put together. And I am learning about dictionary publishing and Japan!
I sailing through this book. I don't want to put it down, but life demands that of me.
I cannot believe how quickly I am gobbling up this book. I will admit that it took a few pages before I got lost in it, but I'm hooked.
I imagine that the workplace and norms are customary for Japan, but I don't know. I do know that people are people, with universal fears, foibles, and hopes.
Great read that I need to put away. Gotta go to work in 7 hours!
pickThis is such a sweet story. If you want a good-for-your-soul read, this is it. The main characters are relatable and easy to love. This is honestly just a really enjoyable book. Bookworms and lovers of the written word will appreciate this one. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Nishioka. This guy is pretty well written. He seems to think he is too cool for the people he is around and over the course of the story learns that those people are the ones that make him happy and make him feel his worth. He has a transformation.
Majime. He is lovable in all the best geeky ways. He ends up finding his purpose during the course of the story, finding love, finding his voice. He is relatable to me, who still feels out of place.
pickI finished this in the first leg of my trip back. Now I need to pick a book for the second leg! I enjoyed the story and learned about Japanese culture and dictionary creation. A good but not great read. ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
I started this in the lull before time to dress for the wedding. It‘s going to be my traveling companion on the flight home tomorrow, and so far it‘s very promising.
I haven‘t posted much lately but that doesn‘t mean that I haven‘t been reading! I finished 8 books in May and focused on choices for #asianlitbingo
My favorite was The Great Passage! Translated from Japanese, it tells a story about making a Japanese dictionary. Perfect for people who love words and language! #maywrapup
pickSaw the movie first; it picked up six Japan Academy Awards. Story about geeky young man who joins the editorial team making the Great Passage dictionary; they are weaving together a boat which navigates the immense ocean of words. Hence the title. Quiet, lovely and quite funny. Link to English subtitled trailer: https://youtu.be/c6GfoD9ReqI Movie and book equally good.
pickI really enjoyed. It‘s super short but is slow paced. Having some knowledge of modern Japanese culture helped me to understand the book. I loved the quirks of each character and I loved the multiple perspectives. Overall great novel. My first book that was published outside the US.
pick26/52 - 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 - I enjoyed this book because I learned a lot about publishing and editing a Japanese dictionary. The characters where likable, but not complex. The story was very linear - straightforward.
26th book read in 2018! My goal is 52!! It is looking promising.
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My weekend reading goals probably won‘t be met because I enjoyed way too many of the delicious margaritas, followed by a yummy Irish Coffee!!! I have been a little slow today, but feeling good enough to finish two books!!!! Wish me luck!
The manga still aren't listed in Litsy so I'm tagging the original novel instead. Bought these yesterday and I can't wait to read them! (I also bought the novel online but I think it got lost in transit 😔)
panIn my opinion, this book is for a very specific audience. For somebody that has a great interest on how a dictionary is made. The 15 year long work on the "Great Passage" is being tied into the personal lives and the work relationships of the creators. It does have nice moments, but overall I was just bored.
Starting my weekend early! Starting it with reading, a latte, and a chocolate croissant!!! Life is good! Happy Friday!
pickAmazon World Book Day 2/9
The Great Passage is a cute slice of life book about those involved with the creation of a new dictionary of the Japanese language. Majime is the closest thing to a main character even though it is not always from his point of view that the story is told. Majime is passionate about words and dictionaries and how he impacts the lives of those arroyos him by just being himself is heartwarming.
