Autumn Bridge (Cloud of Sparrows) [Kindle Edition]

Takashi Matsuoka (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

East collides with West in this complex, epic tale by Matsuoka (Cloud of Sparrows), in which the ability to see the future is transferred from generation to generation in a Japanese clan. The mid-19th-century inheritor of the clan's visionary powers is Lord Genji, a powerful samurai warlord who favors western style modernization for Japan but faces fierce opposition from the antiforeigner element. Compounding his political troubles is his peculiar love affair with a beautiful young American Christian missionary. Emily Gibson has been in Japan for six years, doing her missionary work, trying to hide her feelings for Genji and translating a series of mysterious scrolls recounting the history of the clan. As she reads the scrolls, she discovers inexplicable references to her own life and her association with Genji's family. Meanwhile, flashbacks describe centuries of tangled relationships and events that result in Genji's rise to power, focusing particularly on beautiful Shizuka, Genji's 14th-century forebear, who has the sharpest vision of the clan's future. The convoluted tale is bursting with too many characters and jumps around in time too much to be a smooth read—a 13th-century Mongol invasion, assassination, clan warfare, romantic rivalries and an estranged son and heir to Genji's rule round out the packed narrative—but Matsuoka's rich, authoritative storytelling makes this an engrossing read.
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From Booklist

Matsuoka continues the chronicle of Japanese nobleman Lord Genji he began in Cloud of Sparrows (2002). In 1867, American missionary Emily Gibson finds herself increasingly drawn to Genji, her Japanese benefactor. For his part, Genji, the head of the beleaguered Okumichi clan, struggles to control his secret admiration for the entirely unsuitable foreigner as he attempts to reconcile the increasingly obsolete world of the shoguns and the samurai warriors with the inevitable encroachment of Western ways and customs into his homeland. Translating a series of secret scrolls containing the history and prophesies of the Okumichi clan, Emily is startled to realize that the past reflects the present when she uncovers an ancient tale of treachery, valor, and forbidden love that seems to both parallel and presage her own situation. Stretching back and forth through the centuries, Matsuoka weaves a timeless tale of intrigue and romance. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 745 KB
• Publisher: Delacorte Press; 1st edition (August 3, 2004)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000FC1V4M
• Text-to-Speech: Not enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,763 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Elaboration on "Cloud of Sparrows", December 6, 2004

By 

Scott Schiefelbein (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Autumn Bridge (Hardcover)

Takashi Matsuoka is an author who tells tantalizingly original tales inspired by feudal Japan. His first novel, "Cloud of Sparrows," introduced the reader to the saga of the Okumichi clan, focusing primarily on its young Prince Hal, Lord Genji, in the early days following the reopening of Japan to the West.

Genji, a young lord whose attributes were unappreciated - thanks to his long campaign of deception - plays a critical role in the process of Japan's reawakening, in large part due to the Americans he meets. One is Matthew Stark, who arrives in Japan under the guise of a missionary but with a sole purpose of exacting vengeance for some grisly murders back in the States. The other is Emily Gibson, a beautiful American missionary who has fled to Japan to escape the horrible consequences of her beauty. These three characters, along with a wonderful supporting cast, have dazzling adventures that make "Cloud of Sparrows" a heck of a read.

What makes "Cloud" such an amazing novel was its ability to jump from present to past to future and yet tell a cohesive, enthralling tale. Genji's clan, the Okumichi, is blessed (or cursed) with the ability to see the future, and in Japan, the future and the past are inter-related. One of the most tantalizing aspects of "Cloud" was the sense the reader had that "Cloud" was only telling part of a much deeper story, and several aspects of "Cloud" did not make a lot of sense, even after a second reading.

This was by design. "Autumn Bridge," while officially a "sequel" to "Cloud of Sparrows," is more of an elaboration of the earlier story, in which certain aspects of the past, the present, and the future of "Cloud" receive further treatment. And the results are no less harrowing or heart-rending.

While the "present" of "Cloud" and "Bridge" is the second half of the 19th century, much of the second novel takes place in the 1300s, as a beautiful woman - some say witch - sets in motion the events that would play out over 500 years later. Matsuoka's ability to interweave these various chronologies is astounding - while leaping from era to era and storyline to storyline, "Bridge" never deviates from its essential tale or its overall purpose, and one of the great delights of "Bridge" is to behold events that have been foretold . . . but that transpire in completely unexpected ways.

The budding romance between Genji and Emily continues to grow, as the misgivings of both are overcome by their love and desire. Matthew Stark, murderous hero from "Cloud," must watch as his son Makoto learns about his real history. The truth of the Mushindo Abbey continues to be revealed. And through it all, Genji battles treachery and intrigue as he gets ever closer to the day of his own assassination, which he has foreseen with startling clarity and tantalizing ambiguity.

More than a love story, more than a samurai-slashing-swords battle epic, "Bridge" builds on the amazing foundation set by "Cloud" to tell a riveting tale that is sure to keep readers up late at night, trying to eke out one more chapter before slumber. Beloved characters meet their end while new characters arise, and several stories grow deeper and more moving as events unfold.

Best of all, more than a few loose ends remain at the end of "Bridge," so it looks like another novel in this amazing series could be on the way!

For interested readers, you must read "Cloud" first - there is too much of a back story with these characters from "Cloud" that will be missed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, October 2, 2004

By 

Ari (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Autumn Bridge (Hardcover)

I loved the first book and thought this one was even better. The story weaves through time in the same way that the characters catch glimpses of past and future. The writing style and story line work seamlessly together. The author does a superb job taking us through the journey of discovering the roots of the action from the first novel and showing us where it all leads. Throughout the journey, as we learn about the motives of the characters, we also gain insight into the psyche of the culture, traditions and era.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Godfather Part II, August 30, 2004

By 

Sake Drinker (Honolulu, HI) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Autumn Bridge (Hardcover)

It's probably just me, but Autumn Bridge reminded me of Godfather Part II.

In Cloud of Sparrows, you get a good feel for the main characters, their lives and the circumstances of the times in which they lived. The story is highly entertaining and gives insight into a very different world. Just like the original Godfather.

In Autumn Bridge, the story unfolds in different time periods to provide more details about the characters, including additional related characters. As a sequel, Autumn Bridge accomplishes the difficult task of being able to stand on its own, while at the same time rewarding those that read Cloud of Sparrows. Just like Godfather Part II.

Autumn Bridge is a fascinating read. Yes, it skips around time wise, so you may need to back track a little, and there is a list of characters that helps. The twists, turns and revelations made their impact as intended.

It is noteworthy that Autumn Bridge has a lot less violence than Cloud of Sparrows. Some people found the violence in Cloud of Sparrows to be disturbing, so maybe the editors took note and toned it down. I liked both books. Autumn Bridge has the finesse of a love story mini-epic, and Cloud of Sparrows has the action packed thrills that gets your blood pumping.

It would be awesome if Mr. Matsuoka could write a book about Shigeru's life and explain how he became revered as the most formidable fighter since Miyamoto Musashi.