New translation of 'Tale of Genji' a fine intro for modern readers

The Tale of Genji By Shikibu Murasaki Translated by Dennis Washburn W.W.Norton. 1,360 pp. $49.95 Reviewed by John Timpane The Tale of Genji is a huge, sprawling book, written in Japan about 1,000 years ago. It's often called, fancifully, "the first novel." And - although it does seem at times to be an anthology of tales woven together - it starts to cohere about midway through, creating a glittering, compelling, immersive world with characters who, though far from us in time and culture, make us care and who are deeply known, fascinating, and memorable...