An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro

Have just finished reading An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro.

A very thought-provoking novel full of ideas.

I liked the idea of a school of art concerned with capturing the "floating world" - the indefinable moods and atmospheres of the evening.

Also the issue of how to remain loyal to your ideals when the rest of society has taken a different direction.

Delicate obliquity of the way even members of families spoke to each other.

The most important part of the book is towards the end, when Masuji Ono and Matsuda are discussing the role of art:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Masuji Ono, the main character in the book, produced the influential "China Crisis" posters:

 

 

China Crisis was a 1980s band, formed before Ishiguro wrote his novel.

But possibly they were both inspired by a common source?