Quicksand by Tanizaki Junichiro

Review of the book “Quicksand” by Tanizaki Junichiro

Quicksand by Tanizaki Junichiro, one of the most important writers of 20th-century Japanese literature. The work, published in 1930, tells the story of a widowed woman who falls in love with a young art student and subjects her to a lesbian relationship full of deception, manipulation and humiliation. The novel explores themes such as eroticism, perversion, sadomasochism and female identity in the context of modernizing Japan.

The protagonist of the novel is Sonoko Kakiuchi, a cultured and refined woman from Osaka who was widowed at a young age. Her husband, Kotaro, was an honest and kind lawyer who died in a traffic accident. Sonoko feels lonely and empty after his loss and decides to enroll in a Fine Arts school to occupy her time. There she meets Mitsuko Tokumitsu, a beautiful and seductive student who attracts her attention for her talent and personality. Sonoko is attracted to Mitsuko and soon they begin a friendship that turns into an obsessive passion.

Mitsuko is Sonoko’s polar opposite: she is selfish, deceitful, cruel and manipulative. She takes advantage of Sonoko’s feelings to obtain money, gifts and favors. In addition, Mitsuko has a secret lover: Watanuki, a married man who is also a teacher at the art school. Mitsuko cheats on Sonoko with Watanuki and makes her believe that he is blackmailing and mistreating her. Sonoko finds herself involved in a web of lies and betrayals that lead her to commit irrational and dangerous acts.

The novel is narrated in the first person by Sonoko, who confesses her story to a writer friend of hers. However, Sonoko’s account is neither reliable nor objective: it is full of contradictions, omissions and justifications. Sonoko tries to present herself as an innocent and naive victim who fell into Mitsuko’s trap, but she also reveals her own perversion and guilt. Sonoko enjoys the suffering that Mitsuko causes her and gives herself to her without resistance. Sonoko does not want to escape from her unhealthy relationship but to delve deeper into it.

In Quicksand, Tanizaki Junichiro creates a masterpiece of eroticism and psychology. With an elegant and suggestive style, the author portrays the depths of the human soul and the paradoxes of love. The novel is a critique of the hypocritical morality of Japanese society of his time and a reflection on the role of women in the process of modernization. Tanizaki Junichiro shows his fascination with Western art and traditional Japanese culture, as well as the tensions between the two.

Quicksand is a novel that does not leave the reader indifferent: it captures, disturbs and dazzles with its beauty and depth. Tanizaki’s writing is exquisite and evocative, and manages to capture the atmosphere of the period in great detail. The novel is full of sensual and detailed descriptions of the landscapes, objects and characters, making it a very rich and rewarding read.

The novel is also a fascinating portrait of Japanese society at the time, when morality and social expectations were very different from those of today. Tanizaki addresses issues such as the position of women in society, the influence of Western culture in Japan, and the tension between tradition and modernity.

Tanizaki’s narrative style is elegant and sophisticated, allowing the reader to immerse themselves in Sonoko’s life and experience her emotions and inner conflicts. The novel is written in the first person, allowing the reader to have a deeper connection with the protagonist and understand her innermost thoughts and feelings.

One of the highlights of Quicksand is the way Tanizaki addresses themes such as obsession, manipulation, and moral decay. Through the relationship between Sonoko and Mitsuko, the author shows how desire and passion can lead people to lose control of their lives and make destructive decisions. In addition, the novel also explores themes such as identity, sexuality, and the struggle for freedom and authenticity in a society that imposes rigid norms and expectations.

As for the supporting characters, Tanizaki creates a diverse and complex cast that enriches the plot and brings different perspectives to the story. Each character has their own motivations and conflicts, which makes the novel more interesting and dynamic.

The novel’s setting is another of its strong points. Tanizaki manages to capture the atmosphere of the period and the contrast between tradition and modernity in Japanese society. The detailed description of places and customs allows the reader to immerse themselves in the world of the characters and better understand their conflicts and dilemmas.

In short, Quicksand is an intense and captivating novel that deals with important and relevant themes such as obsession, manipulation, and moral decay. Sonoko and Mitsuko’s story is touching and disturbing, and Tanizaki’s narrative style allows the reader to immerse themselves in their world and experience their emotions and inner conflicts. This novel is a must-read for those interested in Japanese literature and stories of toxic and obsessive relationships that challenge social and moral norms.