Books

The Pillow Book

Name: The Pillow Book
Author: Sei Shōnagon

by Sei Shōnagon

1002•Biography•345 pages

Taste attributes: biographydocumentaryhistoricaljournalisticslowfresh & originalheavyrealisticintricatelinearenclosedemotive & stirringsocial commentaryunlikely connections

See which match your taste

Boxlist takeA grounded biography that is inventive, slow-burning and intricate. Best if you like real life over fantasy.

Taste details

Pace: slow · Originality: fresh · Tone: balanced · Weight: heavy · Realism: true to life · Story: intricate · Structure: linear · Look: balanced · Scale: confined · Emotional punch: stirringHow we score

Open Library rating

4.3 / 5

4 ratings

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About This Book

A fascinating, detailed account of Japanese court life in the eleventh century. Written by a lady of the court at the height of Heian culture, this book enthralls with its lively gossip, witty observations, and subtle impressions.

Description: Open Library

Characteristics

Where this book sits on each taste spectrum

SlowPACEFast

FamiliarORIGINALITYOriginal

DarkTONEWholesome

LightWEIGHTINESSHeavy

FantasyREALISMRealistic

SimpleINTRICACYIntricate

Non-LinearLINEARITYLinear

UnderstatedSTYLEStylised

IntimateSCALEEpic

RestrainedEMOTIONIntense

Genres and themes

BiographyDocumentaryHistoricalJournalisticSocial commentaryUnlikely connections

Subjects

Japanese essaysSocial life and customsJapanese literatureCourt and courtiersJapan, court and courtiersJapan, historyJapan, social life and customsBiography

Details

Author: Sei Shōnagon
Published: 1002
Pages: 345
Taste scores: How we score
Source: Open Library

How book matches work

Books are scored on the same ten characteristics as films and matched with the same formula and your own match bands. Book scores are estimates, made from Open Library subjects and descriptions plus an AI reading.

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