Snowflakes: The Makioka Sisters (Part 3)

Author: Jun'ichirō Tanizaki

The third part, continuing the events of the previous one, begins with the search for a suitable husband for "Yukiko", and the formal interviews and the difficulties of coordinating what we call (arranged marriages). "Yukiko" is supposed to be the heroine of this part, waiting for luck to smile upon her and reward her with the best of destinies, after all the hardship and distress she has endured due to the deterioration of circumstances after her father's death, and being forced to live in "Tokyo", the place she despises most on earth. But the author brings something that defies all expectations; he makes the shocking actions of the younger sister, "Taeko", the محور of events, and everything turns upside down, once with her sudden illness after the rift between her and the family, and once when her scandalous romantic affairs are exposed. You will find a different reaction from each member of her family towards her, as the author reflects various patterns of societal thinking: some insist on traditions, while others are lenient, keeping pace with the times. Events swing between joy and sorrow as days change, in harmony with the novel's title, for snowflakes quickly melt, an idiom for the impermanence of any state. The events unfold as the world is on the brink of World War II, engulfed in turmoil. The author observes these events through the eyes of common people; sometimes through the eyes of the Japanese protagonists of the novel, and sometimes through the eyes of their German friends. The author, "Jun'ichirō Tanizaki", tried to record everything related to the identity of Japanese society; fearing what was to come, and mentioned many aspects of holiday celebrations, and described nature, and famous landmarks such as streets, restaurants, and more; to allow the reader to experience a realistic atmosphere of the time and place with utmost accuracy and creativity.