The Temple of the Golden Pavilion
(Autor) Yukio MishimaThis is Mishima's novel about the pressure of living an idealised life. It tells a fictionalised account of real events - the lonely acolyte who destroyed a famous Kyoto temple. Mizoguchi grows up a lonely boy in a poor family, a hopeless and frustrated stutterer. Only tales of the beauty of a famous temple in Kyoto, told by his dying father, sustain him. Taunted by his schoolmates, he eventually escapes to become an acolyte at the temple. But there, witness to acts of callous violence and terrified by the bombing of the war, Mizoguchi develops an all-consuming obsession with the temple's preservation - until the beauty of the place itself starts to feel like his deadliest enemy. This powerful story of sacrifice and unattainable ideals brings together Mishima's preoccupations with violence, desire, religion and national history to dazzling effect. 'One of the outstanding writers of the world' New York Times
Yukio Mishima
Yukio Mishima was a Japanese author, playwright, and nationalist. Known for his intense and controversial works, Mishima explored themes of death, sexuality, and the clash between traditional and modern values. His most notable works include "Confessions of a Mask," "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion," and "The Sea of Fertility tetralogy." Mishima's writing style is characterized by its poetic prose and vivid imagery. He is considered one of Japan's most important and influential writers, and his works continue to be studied and celebrated worldwide. Mishima's most famous work is "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion," which tells the story of a young acolyte who becomes obsessed with destroying a beautiful temple. His legacy continues to inspire and provoke readers with its complex exploration of identity and morality.