Quotes from Natsume Sōseki's books, and about them
Kokoro on The Koran: “I also saw a Bible in his room. When I asked why, K said there was no reason, and that he meant to read The Koran too if he had the chance. He seemed greatly interested in the words 'Mohammed and the sword'. [auto-translated]”
Sanshiro on Oroonoko: “"I have only read the novel Oroonoko." Asked for the outline, he said it tells of a black African prince who is tricked by an English captain, sold into slavery, and suffers terribly. [auto-translated]”
Sanshiro on Oroonoko: “After that novel came out, a man named Southerne worked the same story into a play, separately. It has the same name [Oroonoko], so you mustn't mix the two up. [auto-translated]”
Sanshiro on Hydriotaphia: “"This is the Hydriotaphia I told you about the other day. Look at it if you are bored." Sanshiro thanked him and took the book. [auto-translated]”
Sanshiro on Hamlet: “"Hamlet probably did not want to marry. There may be only one Hamlet, but there are many people like him." "What sort of people?" Hirota fell silent as smoke rose from his cigar. [auto-translated]”
Sanshiro on History of Intellectual Development: “"History of Intellectual Development. Oh, so it was there," Mineko said, drawing close to look at the book that Sanshiro had found. [auto-translated]”
Poppies on Avatamsaka Sutra: “'The Avatamsaka Sutra has a line, "outwardly a bodhisattva, inwardly a demon." You know it, surely.' 'I only know the phrase.' 'That is how the rose got the name Buddha-smiling. Lovely flower, but terribly thorny.' [auto-translated]”
Botchan on The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: “Red Shirt should have been a little more considerate. And if he wants to mention such names at all, let him mention "Autobiography of Ben Franklin," or "Pushing to the Front," or something we all know.”
Botchan on Pushing to the Front: “Red Shirt should have been a little more considerate. And if he wants to mention such names at all, let him mention "Autobiography of Ben Franklin," or "Pushing to the Front," or something we all know.”
I Am a Cat on Theophano: “Not long ago, when Harrison's historical novel Theophano came up where a man of letters was present, I praised it as the finest of historical novels, especially the chilling death of the heroine. The gentleman across from me, who never admits ignorance, agreed it was splendid writing, and so I knew he hadn't read it either, any more than… [auto-translated]”