47 pages • 1 hour read
Natsume SōsekiKokoro
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1914A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Kokoro by Natsume Sōseki is a 1914 novel set at the end of the Meiji Restoration that explores the impact of a changing Japanese society on an older man and a younger man who form an unlikely friendship. The unnamed narrator meets an enigmatic man he calls Sensei, develops a bond with him and his wife, Shizu, and navigates familial and societal duties while uncovering Sensei's hidden past and secrets through the latter’s letter. The novel contains frequent references to suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Natsume Sōseki's Kokoro is praised for its profound exploration of human psychology and the complex relationship between tradition and modernity in Meiji-era Japan. The narrative's depth and introspective characterizations resonate well with readers, though some critique its slower pacing and somber tone. Overall, it remains a compelling and introspective read.
Who Should Read Kokoro?
Kokoro by Natsume Sōseki is ideal for readers drawn to introspective narratives exploring human isolation, guilt, and the complexities of friendship. Comparable to fans of Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment or Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day, it appeals to those who appreciate deep psychological and philosophical musings within a cultural context.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
890L