Shogun by James Clavell
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Book Reviews of Shogun
Book Review: Thoroughly engrossing historical fiction by a true master...
Summary: 5 Stars
Clavell kicks off the first in a series of Far East historical novel with "Shogun," and he does it with a style few living authors could duplicate. Although "Shogun" doesn't quite merit the definition of "classic literature," Clavell's 1100+ page book is definitely a cut above the average bestsellers about Asian culture.From the moment Blackthorne, a Dutch seafarer from the 1600's groping his way around the globe, is shipwrecked on the rocky coast of Japan, the reader is transported to a culture that is both inscrutable and fascinating. Clavell does a wonderful job of taking what is first an alien land and transforming it into a rich history of etiquette, intricacy, and utter betrayal. The Japanese customs, language, and personalities are lavishly described, while the endearing Blackthorne fumbles his way to cultural and linguistic fluency.
Despite the inaccuracy of some of the finer details, "Shogun" as a package is dead-on, telling a story that has become part of the 20th century literary canon. The television adaptation was good, but the book is much, much better - and best of all, it's obscenely long, providing even the fastest of readers with a satisfying experience. If you have never tackled a book of this magnitude, "Shogun" is an excellent starting point. For the experienced reader, Clavell proves that he's more than worthy of your attention. Lose yourself in "Shogun" - I promise you won't regret it.
Book Review: Shogun
Summary: 5 Stars
Shogun, by James Clavell, in my opinion is one of the greatest novels ever written. All of the characters play an intricate part in this story, whether their piece of the plot is big or small. There are several things that set Shogun apart from other novels, with the most intriguing being unpredictability. You never know what will happen next, or who the bad guy really is. It has a marvelous plot with one action-packed sequence following another.One of the only weak points in Shogun is the abrupt ending. It ends with man plot lines left unfinished, the aftermath of the book could be explained better; and if these were different, it would make the story more complete to the reader when they finish reading. A paragraph at the end summarizes the fate of all the characters, it's not enough. Another 1,000 pages could easily have been devoted to the "aftermath."
The book is so absorbing that you just can't put it down, and you have a desire to finish it because you want to know what's going to happen next, but it's usually not what you think will happen.
Before I was even done with the first 100 pages, I was engrossed, completely. I learned to love some characters and hate others. Clavell's style of writing is unique and sometimes confusing, but he usually explained his ideas later in the book in greater detail.
The book is great, although it contains some themes that are rather mature, so I wouldn't recommend it to younger readers.
Book Review: A literary masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
Perhpas I'm a bit behind the curve here, I mean Shogun has been published for quite some time, but given that I was a young lad during its height of popularity, maybe I can be forgiven somewhat?
This is the book that launched me on my literary quest to read through Clavell's Asian saga and, arguably, the best of that saga (Tai Pan, King Rat, Noble House, Gai Jin). I bought a used version of the book on a whim at a yard sale and it sat on my bookshelf for nearly a year before I finally decided to see what it was about. Once I picked it up, I literally had trouble putting it down. I took the book with me on vacation and it was here that I found that the version I had purchased was only the first volume of a two volume set!! I immediately went out and purchased the whole book.
Needless to say, I read the saga in chronological history as opposed to published history and found the whole series extremely entertaining. Additionally, as a student of East Asian history, I found Clavell's historical fiction to be educational as well (much akin to Shaara's "The Killer Angels"). I recognize that it was not meant to be a historical document, but it certainly allows the layman to get a sense of Japanese history and culture.
In short, despite being a doorstopping tome (and thank goodness it is, I think I would have gone through withdrawals if it were any shorter), I cannot give enough praise to this book.
Book Review: "First Contact" with a strange and fascinating culture
Summary: 5 Stars
Shogun is a story of high drama and excitement set upon the stage of feudal Japan. The protaganist is Blackthorne, an Englishman who captains a Dutch privateer around 1600. He comes to Japan and becomes embroiled in the politics of that time, learns about bushido, falls in loves, and befriends one of the most powerful people in feudal Japan.When he comes to Japan, it is a completely alien society to him. He is unprepared for a civilization that regards money and trade with disdain, and where life can be thrown away so easily. It is a place where duty overshadows every other virtue. If you read a lot of science-fiction, you'll notice that a similar them exists in "first contact" stories where humans come in contact with aliens that have bizarre worldviews. In some ways, the culture of Japan as presented here is just as strange as (or more than) any of these extraterrestrial cultures. By the end of the book, you will comprehend the beauty and values of the culture, and characters that acted in nearly incomprehensible ways will become logical.
The politics and intrigue are riveting. It is fascinating to be taken into the minds of many different characters as they vie for power--yet you are never taken all the way in. A shadow always conceals much of the ambitions and strategies of the key characters. The plotting is unpredictable, while at the same time being entirely believable--because the characters make it believable.
Book Review: The Conversion of Master Pilot Blackthorne.
Summary: 5 Stars
I was first attracted to "Shogun"'s world by the TV series. First puzzled, then absorbed, waiting each week for the next step. As soon as it finished I rushed to the book store to buy my copy.I wasn't disappointed. If the series is good, the book is better. Mr. Clavell constructs a master piece reflecting how two so different symbolic universes interact and react to each other. European vision and values embodied by Master Pilot Blackthorne, Japanese ones by Toranaga-sama and Mariko-san.
Situated in the late 16th century Japan, at the critical transition from a feudal state to a centralized administration (the Shogunate) that will last until 19th century, the story depicts the struggle of Toranaga to be designed Shogun..
Blackthorne, step by step, discovers the values of Samurai code, learn Japanese, understand the complex psychology of the people surrounding him and fall in love with a noble woman. Finally he is converted in a true Samurai with a high rank in Toranaga's entourage.
Mr. Clavell has done a great research of the period and presents it without boring the reader. The characters, even the secondary ones, are described in depth, penetrating their motivations and rationale.
After "Shogun" I was eager to read more Clavell's books. I picked "King Rat", "Tai Pan" and "Noble House". They are good, but "Shogun" is a master piece.
Enjoy this reading!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.