Description
A PASSIONATE KARMA
Book summary
In this fascinating narrative, Lafcadio Hearn explores the boundaries between love, death, and destiny through the story of O-Tsuyu and Shinzaburo. What begins as love at first sight turns into a ghostly tale when, following the deaths of her and her maid, both return one summer night. The reader will be immersed in an atmosphere of mystery and beauty, where karma is presented as an indissoluble bond that defies the cycle of lives. This work, adapted from the famous kabuki play Botan Doro, offers a unique literary experience that combines classic horror with Japanese sensibility.
What is it about?
The story focuses on the love at first sight between O-Tsuyu and Shinzaburo, a love cut short by the sudden death of her and her faithful maid, O-Yoné. However, the story takes a supernatural turn when, one summer night, both women appear before an astonished Shinzaburo. The plot raises questions about the nature of their return: were they never truly dead? Are they spirits who have returned to claim an unfinished love? The work explores the tragic confrontation between love and the fear of death, suggesting that karma can unite souls beyond earthly existence. It is an adaptation of the kabuki piece Botan Doro, "The Peony Lantern," which Hearn reinterprets through his Western gaze on Japanese folklore.
Main themes
- Love that transcends death and the cycle of reincarnation.
- Karma as a unifying and indissoluble force between souls.
- Fear of the supernatural and the boundary between life and death.
- The adaptation of a classic Japanese kabuki play into Western narrative.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in modern and contemporary fiction with touches of horror and ghosts, as well as those who appreciate stories of tragic and supernatural love. It is also ideal for fans of classic Japanese literature and Japanese folklore, as well as those looking for a short but intense read, presented in a handcrafted and carefully curated edition.
What this book offers
- An immersion into the mystery and beauty of Japanese folklore through the pen of a Western author who is an expert on Japan.
- A profound reflection on love, destiny, and death, wrapped in an atmosphere of suspense and poetic horror.
- A unique reading experience in a handcrafted notebook format, ideal for collectors and lovers of special editions.
- The opportunity to discover a literary adaptation of a famous kabuki play, bringing classical Japanese theater to a wider audience.
Technical details
- Author: HEARN, LAFCADIO
- Publisher: SATORI EDICIONES C.B.
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, HORROR AND GHOST STORIES
- Collection: SATORI HILADOS
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: February 2025
- Number of pages: 36
- Weight: 54 g
Editorial review
A Passionate Karma is a short but intense work that captures the essence of classic Japanese horror with a refined literary approach. Hearn's adaptation of the kabuki piece Botan Doro stands out for its ability to maintain mystery and emotion in just a few pages. The edition in the Satori Hilados collection, with its handcrafted binding, enhances the special character of the work, making it an attractive piece for both collectors and readers looking for a different reading experience. It is a well-deserved recommendation for those who wish to explore Japanese folklore from a Western and literary perspective.