{"product_id":"9780140435764","title":"Diary of Lady Murasaki","description":"The Diary recorded by Lady Murasaki (c. 973-c. 1020), author of The Tale of Genji, is an intimate picture of her life as tutor and companion to the young Empress Shoshi. Told in a series of vignettes, it offers revealing glimpses of the Japanese imperial palace - the auspicious birth of a prince, rivalries between the Emperor's consorts, with sharp criticism of Murasaki's fellow ladies-in-waiting and drunken courtiers, and telling remarks about the timid Empress and her powerful father, Michinaga. The Diary is also a work of great subtlety and intense personal reflection, as Murasaki makes penetrating insights into human psychology - her pragmatic observations always balanced by an exquisite and pensive melancholy.","brand":"Murasaki Shikibu, Richard Bowring, Richard Bowring, Richard Bowring","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45726502453566,"sku":"9780140435764","price":365.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4357\/7662\/products\/9780140435764_4d8672f8-384d-49d8-b863-a1fb2ba92cf7.jpg?v=1707218591","url":"https:\/\/exclusivebooks.co.za\/products\/9780140435764","provider":"Exclusive Books Online","version":"1.0","type":"link"}