Customer Reviews

Autumn Bridge

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

An intriguing generation spanning tale is a perfect platform for accomplished voice performer Jennifer Van Dyck. A veteran of both film and television (most notably Woody Allen' movie "Bullets Over Broadway" and the TV series "Law & Order"), she reads with clarity enabling listeners to keep track of a rather heft cast of characters and numerous confrontations.

Introduced in this author's "Cloud of Sparrows," Japanese noble Lord Genji again takes center stage along with a beautiful missionary, Emily Gibson. There's an undeniable attraction between the two, but theirs would be an impossible match.

Beginning in feudal Japan, listeners learn of a woman watching from a high tower in the Cloud of Sparrows Castle. It is 1311 and those who would harm her are gathering in the courtyard below. As the night hours pass she writes down a history of the Okumichi clan and notes the magic they posses, including the ability to foresee the future.

Over six centuries pass before these scrolls are translated by Emily Gibson who is puzzled and amazed to find the similarities between what she sees before her eyes and her own life.

The author's gift for detail serves to enrich his story, and the voice of Jennifer Van Dyck gives it vibrant life.

- Gail Cooke

Anyone who has enjoyed author Takashi Matsuoka's "Cloud of Sparrows" will be completely blown over by his second novel, "Autumn Bridge." It's not too often that an author creates a sequel that surpasses the first. "Autumn Bridge" does exactly that and will keep you `til the wee hours of the early morning reading it.

"Cloud of Sparrows" was largely the story of Lord Genji in the 1860's - his prophecy, his ascent to power and his relationship with a young American missionary, Emily Gibson. Intertwined was also the story of Matthew Stark, a vengeance seeking American gunslinger. Though the second novel continues with these characters, "Autumn Bridge" elaborates more on the history of the Okumichi clan and the prophecies that guided their destiny. And it is within this context that we are introduced into the hauntingly mysterious Lady Shizuka. Just a masterfully told tale woven in a past-with-present style.

In "Autumn Bridge", Matsuoka toned down some of the salaciousness and graphic violence (which some readers criticized) found in his earlier work. I thought this was an improvement since the focus was more on the intriguing storyline. Still evident, though, were the fast moving plot and ever mysterious far eastern feudal intrigue. Great read. "Autumn Bridge" will not disappoint.

This is what I call "Adventure Reading," when I pick a book by an author unknown to me. This time, my literary curiosity was well rewarded by a story written by a very gifted writer, Takashi Matsuoka.

The story takes place in the 1860's, when the Tokugawa shogunate is about to be overthrown and creating chaos all over the former empire. While some lords support the Tokugawa rule in the name of tradition, the truth is clearer to other lords who see Japan as a backward empire where tradition have obstructed progress for far too long.

Lord Genji is one of these lords, who admires the "barbarian" foreigners, but because he has the gift of prophesy which runs in his family, he cherishes the future instead of the past. He values the living instead of the dead.

In the midst of it all, Emily, an American missionary translates some ancient scrolls which are, in fact, the story of the Okumichi clan. That's how we know Lady Shizuka, a ghost from the past who appears to Lord Kiyori and guides the former Okumichi leader trough these difficult times, until he's poisoned by his son Shigueru, as an act of piety, to end Lord Kiyori's "madness" for once and for all.

This book goes far beyond a simple narrative. This book has to be the product of several careful revisions. The characters dynamics are so complex, that far than just simple dialogues, we explore the characters motivations, their inner feelings, and perceptions. We see the way they act, based in the options allowed to them according to the norms of their times.

The scholarly tone of this book especially that of the clan leaders reflects a deep knowledge of Japanese culture and history. To me, this book was so well written it was painful to read, because I know I will never be able to write anything like it, and would find very few people who would appreciate such sophistication in terms of style and narrative flair.

5 stars, only. I wish I could rate it higher.

It was the best!!!! Matsuoka's writing style evolved into something a little bit more refined and subtle. There was significantly less violence, which everybody complained about... but that also meant that there was less action. The character development was again excellent. Everyone has their own motives and story. There were still a few details at the end which surprised me. It surpassed the prequel in many ways, and when I read the prequel I didn't think anything could be better. Again this book had less action but many more poignant scenes.

As expected, Mr. Matsuoka wrote with gifted clarity as every scene seems to take you right in. I didn't find the story itself as engaging as "Cloud of Sparrows" but I have come to expect that of sequels. What I did notice, though is that this book seems like a set up for a third book because Genji and Heiko's son is introduced and built up and his late life foreshadowed but not much is said about how he got there, leaving me to think that that is fodder for the next book. Nevertheless, the writing is seamless as the story goes back and forth in time and full of pleasant surprises.

Mr. Matsuoka certainly didn't disappoint. Many authors lose momentum when they write a sequel and it doesn't stay on par with the first book. That is not the case with Autumn Bridge. Just as mysterious and gripping as Cloud of Sparrows. Again, I found myself unable to put the book down. It will keep you guessing up until the end. Don't make any any assumptions. He will surprise you.

Most of the reviewers here have covered the beauty, passion, tragedy and romance that transcend time in Autumn Bridge. I liked it even better than Cloud of Sparrows. It's literarily and spriritually more expansive. Matsuoka takes literary risks with the mysticism. But it works. I first purchased the audio version. Listening to it prompted my purchase of the hardcover. Reading it in print is a little different experience. Even deeper. Recommend both experiences to get the richness out of it.

Frankly, I'm surprised that this book didn't launch Matsuoka into superstar status. It's that good.