The Pillow Book' by Sei Shonagon is one of those timeless classics I keep revisiting for its witty observations and poetic glimpses into Heian-era Japan. While I adore physical copies, I understand the hunt for free online versions—sometimes budget or accessibility calls for it! Project Gutenberg is my go-to for public domain works, and they offer multiple translations of 'The Pillow Book' in their catalog. Another gem is the Internet Archive, which occasionally scans older editions; just search by title or ISBN. University websites like Columbia’s 'Translations from the Asian Classics' series sometimes host excerpts too, though full texts might require digging.
A word of caution, though: free versions often lack the footnotes and context that make Penguin Classics or Donald Keene’s translations so enriching. If you’re studying it seriously, I’d eventually invest in a annotated copy—the humor and cultural nuances shine brighter with commentary. But for a casual read, these free resources are a fantastic starting point. It’s wild to think how Shonagon’s musings on court life still feel fresh a millennium later!