'Shogun' by James Clavell, 1975
For details of plot etc see here.
This is the second time I have read Shogun, the first of six novels from Clavell's Asian Saga. I remember being so gripped by it the first time around that I would stay up well into the early hours reading. The second time was no different!
It is quite a lengthy novel, but it is always gripping and the action is fluidly described and moves along at a good pace. My favourite elements are the culture clashes between Elizabethan Europe and bushido; definitions of honour are quite disparate between the two! I also liked how the catholic church is protrayed and how much of a threat a single Protestant is seen to be.
My one annoyance, and this is true of the rest of the Asian Saga, is that the book just ends. The final passage jumps forward a little in time, but you are left to surmise what has happened by backtracking from later novels.... a little frustrating.
I've realised that most of my understanding of Japanese history and culture stems from this novel! That surely isn't a good thing.
However, it is a great read. Clavell's writing style is fluid and pleasurable. He captures the essence of the characters through their dialogue brilliantly. Afte awhile you don't have to be told who is speaking - you know from their mode of speech etc. I would have liked a map of Japan somewhere in the edition as I kept referring to one in an atlas to see where places are!
When I first read this I didn't realise that it does echo real events in Japan's history. A second reading felt more satisfying with this knowledge.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes hsitorical fiction, although I think most people would find something they enjoy in it.
This is the second time I have read Shogun, the first of six novels from Clavell's Asian Saga. I remember being so gripped by it the first time around that I would stay up well into the early hours reading. The second time was no different!
It is quite a lengthy novel, but it is always gripping and the action is fluidly described and moves along at a good pace. My favourite elements are the culture clashes between Elizabethan Europe and bushido; definitions of honour are quite disparate between the two! I also liked how the catholic church is protrayed and how much of a threat a single Protestant is seen to be.
My one annoyance, and this is true of the rest of the Asian Saga, is that the book just ends. The final passage jumps forward a little in time, but you are left to surmise what has happened by backtracking from later novels.... a little frustrating.
I've realised that most of my understanding of Japanese history and culture stems from this novel! That surely isn't a good thing.
However, it is a great read. Clavell's writing style is fluid and pleasurable. He captures the essence of the characters through their dialogue brilliantly. Afte awhile you don't have to be told who is speaking - you know from their mode of speech etc. I would have liked a map of Japan somewhere in the edition as I kept referring to one in an atlas to see where places are!
When I first read this I didn't realise that it does echo real events in Japan's history. A second reading felt more satisfying with this knowledge.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes hsitorical fiction, although I think most people would find something they enjoy in it.
Labels: history, james clavell, japan
posted by Social Work Dad at 2:22 AM
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