Sun and Steel Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Yukio Mishima (Author), Matthew Taylor (Narrator), Author's Republic (Publisher)

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In this fascinating document, one of Japan's best known - and controversial - writers created what might be termed a new literary form. It is new because it combines elements of many existing types of writing, yet in the end, fits into none of them.

At one level, it may be listened to as an account of how a puny, bookish boy discovered the importance of his own physical being; the "sun and steel" of the title are themselves symbols respectively of the cult of the open air and the weights used in bodybuilding. At another level, it is a discussion by a major novelist of the relation between action and art and his own highly polished art, in particular. More personally, it is an account of one individual's search for identity and self-integration. Or again, the work could be seen as a demonstration of how an intensely individual preoccupation can be developed into a profound philosophy of life.

All these elements are woven together by Mishima's complex yet polished and supple style. The confession and the self-analysis, the philosophy and the poetry combine in the end to create something that is in itself perfect and self-sufficient. It is a piece of literature that is as carefully fashioned as Mishima's novels, and at the same time provides an indispensable key to the understanding of them as art.

The road Mishima took to salvation is a highly personal one. Yet here, ultimately, one detects the unmistakable tones of a self transcending the particular and attaining to a poetic vision of the universal. The book is therefore a moving document, and is highly significant as a pointer to the future development of one of the most interesting novelists of modern times.

Listening Length

2 hours and 36 minutes
Author

Yukio Mishima
Narrator

Matthew Taylor
Audible release date

April 12 2021
Language

English
Publisher

Author's Republic
ASIN

B0921W26QL
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	2 hours and 36 minutes
Author	Yukio Mishima
Narrator	Matthew Taylor
Audible.ca Release Date	April 12 2021
Publisher	Author's Republic
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B0921W26QL
Best Sellers Rank	#36,370 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #205 in Art & Literature Biographies #685 in Author Biographies (Books) #2,876 in Personal Success

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

415 global ratings

5 star		77%
4 star		12%
3 star		7%
2 star		2%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from Canada

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Kindle Customer

Interesting

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on February 21, 2022

Verified Purchase

I enjoyed it, Yukio was definitely an interesting man and deserves the attention that he gets. I might look in to his others books later.

Helpful

Anton Bierce

The Way of the Samurai

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on June 17, 2006

Since World War II, the West has forgotten the Shadow soul of Japan, the collective impulses that have been repressed by "Occupation Law" and the imposition of democracy. The Japanese are seen stereotypically as being overly polite and smiling business executives and camera snapping tourists. The emphasis has been on the soft counterpart of the Japanese psyche, on the "chrysanthemum" (the arts) as Mishima puts it, and the repression of the "word" (the martial tradition). The great American anthropologist Ruth Benedict wrote of the duality of the Japanese using this symbolism in her "Chrysanthemum and the Sword," to which Mishima referred approvingly. He insisted that Japan return to a balance of the arts and the martial tradition, to what, we would call individuation (rebirth/renaissance), allowing the repressed Shadow archetype to reassert itself.

Mishima was himself that synthesis of the scholar and the warrior, who rejected pure intellectualism and theory in favour of action.

[...]

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Patrick

Fascinating insights into a mysterious character

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on May 9, 2001

Every author should write at least one of these books of personal reflection. This is not the only place you can get a glimpse of the inner workings of Mishima's mind ("Confessions of a Mask" and "Patriotism" are good examples).
Of course, this is assuming the book accurately reflects the author's views. If you have read Mishima biographies such as Stokes' "Life and Death of Yukio Mishima" you might agree that "Sun and Steel" is a true reflection of the author's feelings. Otherwise, you might not have a good frame of reference.
It's a good idea not to make this the first of Mishima's works that you read (the aforementioned biography and "Confessions of A Mask" are suitable prerequisites). However, it is an interesting work in its own right.
My main reason for not giving this book 5 stars is that I was longing for more depth into his character than could be provided in so short a work; but maybe that's just because of my fascination with the author's life.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Al Kihano

Autobiography of an Ubermensch

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on November 28, 1999

Whoa! I can hardly say anything bad about this book, except that the author must have been at least a little nuts to write it. The passion and honesty with which he writes about his own (self-diagnosed) shortcomings, as well as his obsessive attempts to remedy them, are pleasantly eerie. In an age when physical valour counts for little, and in a discipline--literature--where so many practicioners despise the cultivation one's own flesh, this book is an original. Highly entertaining.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

judy.12@osu.edu

Powerful but not his most focused writing.

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on June 30, 1998

Sun and Steel is most accessable if you are already familiar with the life of Mishima. It is his most honest, unadorned writing. It is filled with his death romanticism and also with his frantic quest for beauty, strength, action and his obsession with aging and longevity. It is a passionate piece of writing, consisting of one paragraph around 100 pages in length. His fetish for militarism is evident towards the end of the book, and he begins with an almost embarrassed admission of his age and stature as a "mature' writer, reflecting his obsession with eternal youth and glorious death. To sum up, this book is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but it is quite likely the most honest and naked autobiographical writing ever.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Suzanne Montalalou, freelance writer

Breathtaking

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on July 4, 2000

This author gives you his very self, unadorned, and he is breathtaking. The most stunningly powerful book I have ever read. His work is an inspiration. This is my first encounter with Mishima, but it will not be my last.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Faustbook

Sun and Steel is back.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

Sun and Steel is finally back in publication by the fantastic Rogue Scholar Press. The cover is great and the content is inspiring. I've purchased both a hard and soft cover. One for annotating and studying, the other for collection.

5 people found this helpful

Steven Freeman

Written in October 1968

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 22, 2021

Verified Purchase

I have been a Mishima fan for over 40 years and new translations are still being released. This particular book is a re issue of one of Mishimas famous writings toward the end of his life. This is a book that you cannot rush and you can enjoy it if you take your time and then you can appreciate his true nature and uniqueness of his complex visions.

One person found this helpful

An Anglo

A new perspective

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 28, 2023

Verified Purchase

A new way of looking at the human condition with many beautiful passages that will provide inspiration especially for those who are working on improving their physical self.

Emiliom

Poor edition of a great classic book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 13, 2022

Verified Purchase

Poor printing edition of Sun and Steel not worth the money. I was expecting a much nicer edition of this great book

One person found this helpful

Saoirse Allicia Phoenix

Price extortionate for the page count!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 6, 2022

Verified Purchase

Lovely book but very thin for the hefty price tag. Felt very ripped off.

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Sun and Steel Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

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