Nami-ko


Read by Availle

(4.2 stars; 10 reviews)

Nami-ko, a young woman of a noble Japanese family, has recently married the naval officer Takeo, the only heir of a friend of her father's. The couple is very happy together and Takeo is doing everything to create the perfect life for his wife, even more so when she contracts tuberculosis. Takeo's mother, however, sees Nami's illness as a threat to the survival of the family line. Egged on by Chijiwa, a spurned lover of Nami's and Takeo's cousin, she uses her son's absence to send Nami back to her family, thus effecting a divorce. Upon his return, Takeo is furious, but, unable to undo the divorce, he goes off to the front line in the war with China. Meanwhile, Nami is getting worse, and her only wish is to be able to see Takeo one more time...
This is the best known novel by Kenjiro (pen-name: Roka) Tokutomi. Written in 1899 as Hototogisu (The Cuckoo), it deals with the life of the upper classes in the early years after the Meiji Restoration, when Japan was torn between ancient traditions and modern Western influences. The novel was translated several times soon after its publication. This translation is by Sakae Shioya and E. F. Edgett from 1904. (Summary by Availle) (7 hr 23 min)

Chapters

Introduction and Author's Preface 7:47 Read by Availle
Bk I, Ch 1: The Honeymoon 13:04 Read by Availle
Bk I, Ch 2: Nami-ko 8:15 Read by Availle
Bk I, Ch 3: The Fern Gathering 14:48 Read by Availle
Bk I, Ch 4: The House of Yamaki 23:38 Read by Availle
Bk I, Ch 5: The General at Home 23:17 Read by Availle
Bk I, Ch 6: The Mother-in-Law 19:46 Read by Availle
Bk I, Ch 7: On Duty 9:21 Read by Availle
Bk. II, Ch 1: Home Life 19:13 Read by Availle
Bk II, Ch 2: Yamaki Entertains 20:38 Read by Availle
Bk II, Ch 3: Confidences 18:33 Read by Availle
Bk II, Ch 4: Zushi Days 28:37 Read by Availle
Bk II, Ch 5: Revenge 8:34 Read by Availle
Bk II, Ch 6: Mother and Son 22:21 Read by Availle
Bk II, Ch 7: A Prospective Bride 16:48 Read by Availle
Bk II, Ch 8: The Recall 9:11 Read by Availle
Bk II, Ch 9: The Home-Coming 11:28 Read by Availle
Bk II, Ch 10: Takeo and His Mother 6:32 Read by Availle
Bk III, Ch 1: Battle Off Yalu-River 31:22 Read by Availle
Bk III, Ch 2: In Time of War 21:18 Read by Availle
Bk III, Ch 3: Convalescence 10:33 Read by Availle
Bk III, Ch 4: Temptation 19:41 Read by Availle
Bk III, Ch 5: The Yaso's Story 23:26 Read by Availle
Bk III, Ch 6: Port Arthur 9:18 Read by Availle
Bk III, Ch 7: Takeo's Return 8:27 Read by Availle
Bk III, Ch 8: Passing Trains 11:11 Read by Availle
Bk III, Ch 9: Sayonara 12:53 Read by Availle
Bk III, Ch 10: The Meeting at Aoyama 13:41 Read by Availle

Reviews

Very engaging story from Japan


(5 stars)

This fine and poignant tale has been vividly written by the author and done full justice through the reading of Availle. She is certainly one of the best at reading novels, and with her you are not just listening to the story but living it alongside the main characters, and so I could not help but be moved by the tragedy of the young lovers.

Great: Japanese literature


(5 stars)

Glad that Librivox is so pro_literature.