The nonlinear lyric traditions of traditional fiction encountered linear European narrative in the 19th century, influencing both cultures. Like [Donald Keene], [J. Thomas Rimer] addresses a general audience. He selects, summarizes and provides background for 20 literary examples from the classical period, starting with Kojiki, or "A Record of Ancient Matters," completed in 712, and ending with Issa's poetic autobiography of 1819, "The Year of My Life"; and 30 modern works, from Futabatei's "Drifting Clouds" (1887), inspired by the masters of the Russian novel, till 1967 and Oe Kenzaburo's remarkable novel about two brothers, "The Silent Cry."