synopsis:

'thirst for love' is about Etsuko, a young widow who lives with and is subject to the passion of her retired father-in-law, Yakichi. her own passion pursues the young servant, Saburo, who is indifferent to her attentions. etsuko's love for saburo finally leads to a shocking end: rape and murder.

The first half of the book consists of different scenes and flashbacks, for example about the terrible death of etsuko's husband from typhoid. the second half consists of a description about the way etsuko's interests for saburo turn into complete obsession and jealousy.

on this book:

'thirst for love' was written under the influence of the French writer François Mauriac. it is one of the first novels mishima has written and is seen as an inversion of the classic love-story as it desceibes the horrific ends of a love that slowly turns into complete obsession.see also: "As long as you know I am waiting..."
mishima: a life in four chapters