In the "Japanese Room" A.N. Tolstoy tells the romantic, tender, erotic story of a young countess. Much may seem immoral, inappropriate, but the beauty of the author’s syllable cannot be denied. Not immediately noticeable emphasis in the work is placed on the scene, which has become a separate world for the characters. Luxurious decoration in the Japanese style appears as beautiful as the main character. At the same time, the plot of the "Japanese Room" by A. Tolstoy is not without a fiery passion that has absorbed all the norms of morality and decency.
The author of the work
First of all, when reading, the question arises as to who wrote The Japanese Room, which is such a provocative novel. It is rather difficult to believe that he is the author of such serious works as “Walking through the agony”, essay “Homeland” and “Aelita”. Surprisingly, the "Japanese Room" by Alexei Tolstoy is considered the classic prose of the USSR, although today this book is reckoned with the genre of erotic novels.
Alexei Nikolaevich Tolstoy is a very famous Soviet writer. Most of the works of this author are written on historical subjects. It is impossible to deny its presence in the book "Japanese Room", but far from the historical genre is chosen here as the main one. In his life, A.N. Tolstoy loved many women, with many started novels. Women, who are a reflection of beauty, seduction, care, give joy with only one of their presence. Why can't the writer tell about them, their tireless desires, sweet stupidities or unsurpassed external charms? Perhaps, during one of the trips and with the author a similar story occurred, which forever remained in his memory.
The historical novels of Alexei Tolstoy are deep and interesting, he paid attention to understanding the psychology of people, whether it be a king or an ordinary person from the people. The Japanese Room was not the first work of the writer in this genre. He is also credited with authorship of the erotic story “Bathhouse”. In the writing style, you can clearly see similar details. The text often uses modern words that are not characteristic of the era described. This may surprise or confuse the reader, but it gives an interesting note that is not characteristic of artistic works.
Biography of A. N. Tolstoy
Alexey Nikolaevich Tolstoy was born in the Samara province in the distant 1882. There he spent his whole childhood. From the beginning of World War I he served as a war correspondent. There he received his first practice as a journalist. Spent several years in exile, traveling to different countries. He came to Russia in 1923, he was well received, and he decided to stay.
A long debate has been going on about the origin of Alexei Tolstoy. It is still not known for certain whether he actually belonged to the count family of the Tolstoys. Indeed, it is difficult to believe that the author of the story “Japanese Room” with Leo Tolstoy, the greatest Russian writer, had a kinship.
Alexey Nikolaevich was an active member of the Writers' Union. His works described the current policy of Bolshevism, the historical role of kings, emperors. A. N. Tolstoy can easily be called a true patriot who made a huge contribution to Russian literature. Alexey Tolstoy died of cancer in 1945, being already in old age. On the day of his death, general mourning was declared.
The plot of the "Japanese room"
The plot of an old husband, unable to satisfy a young wife, is widespread and very truthful. Young Irina was bored with the old count, whom she was married to, although he tried to entertain her as best he could.
But the young countess managed to come up with entertainment herself, while doing so very sophisticatedly. Having left for the house by the sea, Irina decided to furnish it herself. Her favorite place was the room, decorated with interior items exclusively in the Japanese style. In this work, the emphasis is on the life of one room, namely the room that has become the main scene.
There, the girl brings her newly-made young lover, and then the second. In voluptuousness, joys, affection, they spend all the time until the end of her journey. After the Countess left, these two young men are unlikely to be able to live without memories of the time spent with her.
Book Summary
After the death of her parents, the girl remains in the care of a German woman raising her. At 16, she was married to Count Rumyantsev. A light, naive girl who, over time, became increasingly passionate and demanding love. In the summer, Rumyantsev decided to send his wife to beautiful warm lands, where he rented a house for her with one special room. In the south, Irina accidentally met Count Vesenin, whom she had met at a ball long before that. Both of them were glad to meet, and a ride on a yacht, went to the house of the young countess.
On the second floor was a room in the Japanese style. The young countess herself furnished her and treated her with special love and inspiration. The girl quietly changed into a kimono, made a hairstyle in the manner of Japanese geishas. He and Dmitry drank wine, gradually getting excited. The girl, who had long dreamed of passionate love, began to kiss Dmitry. He responded to her kiss, adding to it at first gentle, but increasingly ardent caresses. The young count caressed her breasts, gradually moving lower and lower. They made love, the young man stayed with the nymph until the morning. He woke up from her hot caresses, so they continued for several more days on vacation. She had never experienced anything like it before.
Later Vesenin introduced the girl to his friend Vladimir, who was in no way inferior to him in his youth and beauty. That evening, Irina brought them to the Japanese room alone, they drank sake. The countess began to kiss both of them, saying that she desired them together. Trinity made love, Irina allowed herself to blindfold. Young people bathed her in the bathroom, enjoying a beautiful, snow-white young body. So they spent another month before the girl left. Vesenin and Vladimir escorted Irina to the train, unable to resist, Vladimir jumped into the train and made the last intercourse.
Book ending
The book ends with Vladimir understanding: this incredibly passionate young woman will remain in his memory forever. What is not surprising - so open to everything, a burning girl from within, full of desire. The unusual atmosphere of the Japanese room to a greater extent influenced such an individual atmosphere of emancipation and sexual sacrament. It is interesting to note that Irina's first lover is described more fully, he has a name, surname, count's title, character. Vladimir is named only by name. From this it can be judged that for the countess over time it became indifferent to whom she was with.
In addition, Vladimir does not know, fortunately or sadly, he met her. After all, he will never meet anyone like him again. Which is the main idea that the author wanted to convey. Bright, memorable events occurring in our lives are the happiest moments. However, at the same time they become something unique, which makes us sadly recall the past, dreaming of a repetition. But not the fact that for the second time those feelings that were once experienced for the first time will be repeated.
Room description
Bright shades used in the decor: red and black - the colors of passion, the colors of gypsies, Spanish flamenco. The floor is adorned with a soft carpet embroidered with roses in the same color scheme. Dear, skillfully carved furniture upholstered in satin, silk pillows piled in heaps ... The muffled pink light pouring on outlandish details in the design creates a full atmosphere of intimacy and temptation. The interior, striking “originality and magnificence”, is so unusual for Russia at that time. The guests in the room drank sake - a traditional Japanese drink resembling a strong tincture or vodka. Geisha used to present sake to men during tea ceremonies.
Luxury screen, upholstered in black satin fabric with images of snow-white storks. In Japan, according to tradition, the screens inside were upholstered with pressed paper from a special type of wood. Only in rich, often imperial houses were there screens with gilding or made of silk. Kimono Irina was also sewn from black silk. Even the smallest details are selected accordingly: a blindfold made of black silk, emerald earrings, a hairstyle resembling a geisha. The girl completely transformed, entering the perfect combination with Japanese style. She became part of this room, equally magnificent and strikingly unusual.
main characters
The key character in the erotic story "Japanese Room" is Irina. Countess Irina Rumyantseva is a spoiled young lady from Moscow.
Basque is Irina's father, distinguished by a noisy disposition and who loved to spend his wealth on fun, trinkets and his beloved daughter. Basque died when Irina was still very young, and soon after this her mother dies.
Count Rumyantsev is a famous 50-year-old man who had weight in society. In his youth, the count loved many women. At the time of the wedding, he had no strength left for the young bride, although he did not look for souls in her.
Count Dmitry Vesenin is a “secular lion”, full of heat and youth. For the first time, Irina meets Dmitry at her father’s ball, already then she noticed his fiery gaze fixed on her. Later, more than once they met in places familiar to secular people.
Prince Vladimir is a temperamental, young friend of Count Vesenin, who will subsequently become Irina's lover.
Although Count Rumyantsev actually existed, the character of the frank story “The Japanese Room” has nothing to do with it. The hero of the story is very different in temperament from the historical portrait of Rumyantsev. Moreover, he never had a bride, Irina. The events described in the book could not have happened in reality and for ethical reasons.
Analysis of the work
Despite the easy syllable, the apparent lack of meaning or morality described should be analyzed. Everyone can try to find their own meaning in what is written. Do not forget that Alexey Tolstoy paid special attention to human psychology. This can be seen in the example of this story. In the Japanese room, Irina was able to free her feminine love and passion. Probably, upon returning home, she again became a decent and faithful wife.
This will not happen again either in her life or in the life of her lovers. A room with a pink light in a house in the south became for them a connecting link, the only interweaving in their destinies. And if they had met again at a secular evening, only a second spark in their eyes could have betrayed them. But otherwise, they would just say hello dryly and pass by with expressions of cold politeness.
If you look for an analogy in the modern world, Irina's journey can be compared with a spa romance that has been and has passed. Short-term hobby, which became for the countess only a pleasant memory. The room played for her the role of a rabbit hole ("Alice in Wonderland"), which serves as a guide to a completely different world. A world where Irina can allow herself to be someone else, for example, the same geisha.
The opinion of critics
It is difficult to name the Japanese Room as serious literature. It is surprising how such a work could be called Soviet classics. This was more likely influenced by the name of the author of the Japanese Room, rather than the content or writing style.
The story has exclusively erotic content. All scenes have a very detailed description, which can confuse an unprepared reader. Expecting to read the work of the honored Soviet figure A.N. Tolstoy, it is difficult to expect such frank scenes that begin almost immediately.
However, the author should pay tribute: stunning descriptions are present throughout the story. Everything that happens is drawn with thin, sensual, skillful stitches. Thanks to what the story does not look dirty. Action in the "Japanese Room" by A. N. Tolstoy appears beautiful erotica. Of course, the book is recommended for reading to people over 18 years of age.
Reviews about the story
An interesting element of the story is the focus on what is happening in the Japanese room. In fact, in A.N. Tolstoy, the Japanese room became the main character, around and depending on which the whole action takes place. It seems that a separate world is being formed in it, transforming Irina herself. Separately, it is worth noting an amazing description of the interior. It allows you to completely immerse yourself in the world of Japanese luxury, as if presented before your eyes.
People give different ratings for this work. Someone likes it as a light, laid-back story that can be read between things. Someone criticizes the author for too frank descriptions, for the stupidity and frivolity of the heroine or the lack of semantic load. It is impossible to say unequivocally what exactly the author wanted to tell and whether he wanted at all. However, the story can be read at least in order to enjoy the skillful author's syllable.