The Tale of Genji

I have lately been immersed in this "novel" written in the 10th Century in Japan. I found this very nice old boxed set from the 1930's of the Arthur Waley translation. It took me a little time to become acclimated to the work but once I became accustomned to the style, the characters and the world of Genji it is a wonderful journey to an exotic yet familiar place. The place and time may be the court of the Emperor in 10th century Japan, but at the center of the book is the human heart and psyche. The tales of Genji have an ancient quality like very old European Fairy Tales or Greek Tragedy but with surprisingly modern insights.