This is the world's first novel written by a Japanese court lady a thousand years ago. The original version consists of 54 chapters and this version picks up 12 of them from the first half. It was a time when aristocrats still hold control of politics and the rise of samurai warriors is yet to come. The scenes of appreciating poems and paintings in a court conveyed me that it was a very peaceful time. This story is centered on one nobleman named 'Genji' who is handsome and excels both literary and military arts. Of course he had romantic relationships with several beautiful court ladies. But at that time, just to meet the lady he loves, even he has to exchange a letter of a fine poem several times with her. He cares much about the quality and the scent of the letter paper, which amused me very much. This is one of the best for learning the ancient pacific era in Japan.

一条天皇の中宮に仕えた藤式部（通称・紫式部）が書いたという平安女流文学の代表作『源氏物語』の英訳ダイジェスト版です。

やはり、外国人でも『源氏物語』を全訳で読める人たちは少ないらしく、本書は結構重宝されているようです。日本人でも全巻を通して完読した人々が、どれほどいるかを考えてみれば、これもまたやむを得ぬ仕儀かと存知ます。　英語に訳すと、こういった表現・言い回しになるのか等と思いつつ読んでみると、なかなか面白いですよ。　國文学を専攻している方々はもとより、古典古文の苦手な人や、英語が得意な読者にもオススメ出来る一冊です。