Rating: 
Summary: Please do not "See just the trees, but not the forest"
Review: "See just the trees, but not the forest" is an old Chinese saying, meaning to comprehend, and thus evaluate, things only from partial angles and views. To assess/critic, even compare any one of the 4 "Sea of Fertility" novels is to do just that. The 4 novels are all part of a grand design in a way very much like 4 movements from a symphony. Yes each novel stands on its own as a great literature accomplishment, but so does each movement of any symphony by Beethoven or Mahler. Now, I am not a write or a literature critic in any shape or form, but I have read the complete "Sea of Fertility" twice before, and am onto "Runaway Horses" for the third time now. Just want to remind every one that, these novels are not meant to be read individually.
Rating:
Summary: Please do not "See just the trees, but not the forest"
Review: "See just the trees, but not the forest" is an old Chinese saying, meaning to comprehend, and thus evaluate, things only from partial angles and views. To assess/critic, even compare any one of the 4 "Sea of Fertility" novels is to do just that. The 4 novels are all part of a grand design in a way very much like 4 movements from a symphony. Yes each novel stands on its own as a great literature accomplishment, but so does each movement of any symphony by Beethoven or Mahler. Now, I am not a write or a literature critic in any shape or form, but I have read the complete "Sea of Fertility" twice before, and am onto "Runaway Horses" for the third time now. Just want to remind every one that, these novels are not meant to be read individually.
Rating:
Summary: Beauty and Sadness
Review: A work of utter splendor, Spring Snow is the first installment of Yukio Mishima's magnificent tetralogy.I read the 4 books as in a trance in the fleeting light of a long gone summer. And like Mishima, finishing the Sea of Fertility made me feel as if it were the end of the world. Shatteringly beautiful, lined with infinite grace, agonizingly moving, , Mishima's last work is perhaps the crowning achievement of 20th century world literature.
Rating: 
Summary: Best of Four
Review: All four books are very good. After Spring Snow, you get the very distinct feeling that you have lost something beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: Spring Snow
Review: An ellegant work that follows brilliantly in the Mishima conceit that beauty and youth are as intertwined as they are fleeting. Rich and vivid descriptions of the life of a Japanese man coming of age at the turn of the last century. A profound social commentary on the drastic changes in Japanese Society prior to WW2. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Astounding, if distrurbing, story of a spiritual journey.
Review: Briefly, the Sea of Fertility tetrology has much in common with Dostoevsky. Mishima's characters act within the tight confines of aristoocratic Japan in the early to mid 20th Century. However, the real story underneath the cultural one involves a brilliant and sustained discussion of the Budhist conceptions of samsara, karma and reincarnation. Mishima's investigation of this subject covers Hindu, ancient Greek, 19th Century German and countless schools of Budhism.
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Summary: Insight into a foriegn culture
Review: For an outsider, this book provides remarkable insight into a foriegn culture that most Americans know little about. The indelible differences between cultures are exposed in this remarkable novel. Although missing some key elements, this is very close to a Japanese Romeo and Juliet type story. Mishima, ever the historian, also digresses at several points to devulge in some eastern history and philosophy.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful!
Review: I first read this book back when I was a College Freshman. Back then the book presented a very good picture of the aristocratic life of early 1900's Japan to me. I read it at it's face value, as a tragic love story. The story was so intense and quiet full of suspense that I went thru 7 sleepless nights in a row to finish this great book. Eight years later, I have a second reading of this book. Since I had grown more mature since my first reading, I am able to detect more of the underlying ideas in the book. Ideas such as patriotism VS self-interst, self-gratification VS self-restraint, are 2 such forces that drive the plot.
Rating:
Summary: haunting
Review: I just finished this first novel in the series. This is so much more than a tragic story of star-crossed lovers. Mishima evokes an astonishingly vivid Japan of the early 20th century. I simply don't know enough about Japan's history and culture to know if the general setting is historically accurate, but if it isn't he has created a rich, complex world of great beauty tinged with sadness. This is one of those rare books where I will catch myself thinking about the characters as if they were people I know. His descriptions at times border on poetry even in translation. I think that Mishima was facinated by the idea of karma, how actions plant seeds which eventually blossum into effect. I think this accounts for having his characters almost stop the action in places to discuss Buddhist philosophy (which also lets the reader in on how the story will unfold). I am starting Runaway Horses and looking forward to meeting Kiyoaki in his next incarnation. Will he see Satoko again?
Rating:
Summary: A truely mesmerizing experience
Review: I read this book after a friend's strong recommendation. Overall this book is beautifully written and absolutely captivating. The central plot on its own for this first book in the tetralogy is not something that we have never seen or heard before, but Mishima is unparalleled when it comes to his unique style in detailed character development. Though slow moving at first, by 1/2 way through the book, you are completely immensed in the world he so delicately paints. I find myself thumb a few section of the book over and over to truely get the multiple meanings Mishima is trying to convey. Aside from great character development, the book is FILLED with facts and descriptions of the different flavors of Buddhism, Japanese history during the 1920s and tons of other subjects (reincarnation etc), which makes the reading experience all that more complete. I am moving onto the 2nd book in the tetralogy, as for the ending of this book left many questions unanswered. I have a feeling Mishima was in a bit of rush towards the end, hence I am hoping to get a more complete picture of the author's thoughts after completing the whole tetralogy. This is not to say this book doesn't stand on its own, but I am sure when viewed as part of the tetralogy, it has more meaning than just a love tragedy. Spring Snow is definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you are a true fan of fine literature and Japanese culture, this book will be at the top of your list as well.
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