An Artist of the Floating World

by Kazuo Ishiguro
An Artist of the Floating World cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Historical Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 10473
  • Added: 2026-01-25
  • Updated: 2026-01-28
  • ISBN: 9780571249343
  • Publisher: Faber & Faber
  • Published: 2009-01-08
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Set in 1948 Japan, 'An Artist of the Floating World' follows Masuji Ono, a renowned painter who is trying to enjoy his retirement amidst the rebuilding of his country. His days are spent tending to his garden, his family, and reminiscing about his past. However, as his memories resurface, they reveal a life deeply intertwined with the rise of Japanese militarism, casting a dark shadow over his present serenity. The novel explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the complexities of memory through Ono's introspective journey. As he grapples with his past actions and their consequences, he must confront the moral ambiguities of his choices and the impact they have had on his family and society. The story is a poignant examination of the human condition in the aftermath of war, offering a profound reflection on the nature of art, responsibility, and the search for meaning in a changed world.

Reviews
Tony's Reading List · Tony · 2020-10-22
beautiful 4.00

The novel is beautifully written with a slightly bitter aftertaste. The pacing of the old man's story is superb.

This book is a beautiful novel that leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste. The story of the old man is superbly paced, drawing the reader in with its intricate details and deep emotional resonance. The narrative is powerful, and the sense of a haunting calmness and pending menace adds a layer of complexity that keeps the reader engaged. The unreliable narration adds a unique perspective that makes the story even more compelling.

Quick quotes

    An Artist of the Floating World is a beautiful novel with a slightly bitter aftertaste.

    The old man's story is superbly paced.

    The narrative is powerful, and the sense of a haunting calmness and pending menace adds a layer of complexity.

Letterpress Project · 2018-10-30
powerful 4.50

The book is powerful with a remarkable sense of haunting calmness and pending menace. The setting is both evocative and unsettling.

This novel is powerful, with a remarkable sense of haunting calmness and pending menace that permeates every page. The setting in post-war Japan is both evocative and unsettling, creating a backdrop that enhances the emotional depth of the story. The unreliable narration adds a layer of complexity, making the reader question the truth and motivations of the characters. The sense of impending doom is palpable, adding a tension that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

Quick quotes

    It's powerful, there's also a remarkable sense of a haunting calmness and pending menace about the book.

    It is set in the aftermath of WWII in Japan, creating a backdrop that enhances the emotional depth of the story.

    The sense of impending doom is palpable, adding a tension that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

The Guardian · The Guardian · 2015-07-06
masterful 4.75

The novel is a tour de force of unreliable narration, exploring themes of guilt, ageing, and solitude in postwar Japan.

This novel is a tour de force of unreliable narration, delving deep into themes of guilt, ageing, and solitude in postwar Japan. The protagonist's perspective is both fascinating and unsettling, making the reader question the reliability of the narrative. The exploration of these themes is nuanced and thought-provoking, offering a rich and complex reading experience. The sense of stillness and normalcy around the narrator is masterfully crafted, adding to the overall impact of the story.

Quick quotes

    Kazuo Ishiguro's study of guilt, ageing and solitude in postwar, post-imperial Japan is a tour de force of unreliable narration.

    The protagonist's perspective is both fascinating and unsettling, making the reader question the reliability of the narrative.

    The exploration of these themes is nuanced and thought-provoking, offering a rich and complex reading experience.

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