As crushed garlic hits the pan and sizzles in hot oil, filling the air with its appetizing aroma, it makes your mouth water and stomach grumble in response, waiting to be fed what's cooking. Reading The Makioka Sisters was just like the scrumptious scent of garlic.

Set in Japan right before WWII, The Makioka Sisters is a classic about four sisters belonging to an upper-class family, whose family name is now dwindling and is not even known outside Osaka. Majority of the book revolves around finding a suitable husband for Yukiko, the third Makioka sister and the troubles around it. But this 500-odd-page tome is more than domestic issues, finding husbands, or keeping up with the traditions. When you look at it closely, the book is full of simple things and trivialities; here lies the magic of Tanizaki.

I went into this book without any idea or expectation as it was my first Tanizaki. But my eyes were blessed with an indulgent and a succinct prose that is only meant to be savored, like fine wine. Tanizaki's way with words is above par; you will find yourself cozily enveloped in his lyrical attention to detail. This was the first translated book that made me wish I could understand Japanese. But, without a doubt, Edward G. Seidensticker, has done a phenomenal job in translating it.

It gives off quite Jane-Austenesque vibes, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, it was akin to watching a melodramatic K-Drama unfold in front of your eyes, and it garnered similar reactions from me as well.

If you are looking for a slow-paced book with exemplary prose, give this a go!