The Pillow Boy of the Lady Onogoro

[Einselgaenger]

The Pillow Boy of the Lady Onogoro is one of the most charming books I've ever read. Translated from remnants of a classic 11th-century manuscript (The Pillow Book) by the Heian era Kyoto court poet Sei Shonagon) The Pillow Boy is witty, intelligent and sensual.

It's beautifully translated from the Japanese by Arye Blower and edited by the poet and writer Allison Fell.

The Sunday Times (London) writes: "Onogoro, poet and concubine of the general Motosuke, has a problem achieving orgasm. So she hides Oyu, the blind stable boy, behind a screen at the head of her bed. While Motosuke makes love to Onogoro, Oyu arouses her by whispering wildly erotic stories into her ear. A skillfully wrought and mischievous novel "in which the pleasures of sex and the glamour of times past are cleverly combined".

Donna