Inspired by historical events, this powerful book is the story of the monk who burned the Temple of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto. It's an unsettling portrait of society in Post War Japan. On another level, the book tells of the coming of age of a complex, tragic figure who, among other things, struggles with his homosexuality. Mishimi is also the author of "The Sailor Who Fell from Grace With the Sea."  (JPN18, $12.95)