Books: Father, Son & Kimi

To THE MOUNTAIN — Bradford Smith — Bobbs-Merrill ($2.50).

In an age of novels there have been few authentic ones laid in Japan, fewer that go beyond the surface strangeness played upon in such books as Carl Fallas' The Wooden Pillow (TIME, Jan. 20). The appearance last week of a first novel by a young Westerner which gave evidence of a deeper understanding of modern Japan was therefore of more than passing importance.

In To the Mountain a poor family within a few rice grains of starvation sells the oldest 'daughter, Kimi, to a procurer when she is not yet 16. She is...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!