Beauty and Sadness
Author: Yasunari Kawabata
Desc: Beauty and Sadness (Japanese: 美しさと哀しみと Utsukushisa to kanashimi to) is a 1964 novel by Japanese Nobel Prize winning author Yasunari Kawabata. Opening on the train to Kyoto the narrative in characteristic Kawabata fashion subtly brings up issues of tradition and modernity as it explores writer Oki Toshio's reunion with a young lover from his past Otoko Ueno who is now a famous artist and recluse. Ueno is now living with her protegée and a jealous lover Keiko Sakami and the unfolding relationships between Oki Otoko and Keiko form the plot of the novel. Keiko states several times that she will avenge Otoko for Oki's abandonment and the story coalesces into a climactic ending.