Japanese Classic Novel, Kokoro by Natsume Soseki

Join us for a discussion of Natsume Soseki's *Kokoro,* one of the best selling novels of all time in Japan. The title translates as "the heart of things." The story is divided into three parts. In the first two, the young narrator relates his memories of an older man, "Sensei," who was a friend and mentor during his university days. In the third part, which makes up the second half of the novel, the narrator reads a long confessional letter from Sensei that recounts the older man's life and reveals his long-held feelings of guilt over the death of a friend. Kokoro was published in 1914 when Japan was still transitioning into the modern era after centuries of isolation, and the lives of the novel's characters reflect that transition. We'll be meeting at Lounge 72, the hotel bar at the Doubletree by Hilton in Hazard Center. Please plan to order a drink or appetizer. Ample parking and a trolley stop are nearby. Attendance is limited, so please change your RSVP if you become unable to attend.