A classic Japanese novel, Soseki Natsume’s Kokoro follows an unnamed narrator during Japan’s transition from the Meiji era into a more industrialized modern Japan. The novel revolves around him and his interactions with his “Sensei”, father, mother, and siblings.
Although the novel takes place during real events and a real time period, it focuses mostly on “the self” and really tries to capture the spirit of the people during such difficult transitional periods in time.
It’s a very thoughtful novel, remarkably well written to be able to see similarities even in today’s transitional periods (as a Millenial), and psychologically adept to capture the overall thoughts and attitude of the people. Conveying this is no easy task, but Natsume did well, I think.
Although a “slow” read, there is plenty to dissect and discuss and make us, the reader, think about our own lives while we read Kokoro.
8/10, would recommend.