The Tale of Murasaki

The Tale of Murasakiis an elegant and brilliantly authentic historical novel by the author ofGeishaand the only Westerner ever to have become a geisha. In the eleventh century Murasaki Shikibu wrote the world's first novel,The Tale of Genji, the most popular work in the history of Japanese literature. InThe Tale of Murasaki,Liza Dalby has created a breathtaking fictionalized narrative of the life of this timeless poeta lonely girl who becomes such a compelling storyteller that she is invited to regale the empress with her tales.The Tale of Murasakiis the story of an enchanting time and an exotic place. Whether writing about mystical rice fields in the rainy mountains or the politics and intrigue of the royal court, Dalby breathes astonishing life into ancient Japan.

Author of<b><i> </i>Geisha and Kimono</b><i> </i>and the only Westerner ever to have become a geisha, Liza Dalby is a consultant for Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film adaptation of <b>Memoirs of a Geisha</b><i>. </i>She lives in Berkeley, California.