Customer Reviews

The Fourth Treasure

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

 

 

Todd Shimoda's "The Fourth Treasure" is simply the most beautiful book to come across my desk in years. The story is innovative and inventive, and the illustrations add depth and insight to the narrative of old cultures, new science and human striving. The Shimodas (L.J.C. Shimoda, Todd's wife, illustrated the book with her beautiful calligraphy and abstract work) have created a work of art that you'll be proud to put on your shelf with the rest of your classics. Nan A. Talese and Doubleday should be commended for the classy presentation of this wonderful work.

This elegantly illustrated and beautifully written book is one I would highly recommend to anyone who loves to be lost in a good story, strong characters and an unforgettable read. Although the book was just released, I cannot wait to read another by this author! You'll love it.

Todd Shimoda does it again in his second novel. Like his first book, 365 View of Mt. Fuji, this novel easily segues between the 17th and the 21st centuries. 4th Treasure is so interesting because it is a mystery and a love story, a treatise of the workings of the brain and a step into the unknown mysteries of the mind, a study of both living in the past and denying ones roots. The characters are vivid and believable. Many of the characters lead tragic lives, but this tragedy is intermixed with some really funny plot twists. Without spoiling the story, I loved the way Shimoda tied things up at the end without making a very pretty package. Finally, the beautiful calligraphy created by, L J C Shimoda is stunning. It is especially notable since much of it represents the twisted and confused thoughts of the Sensei after his stroke and so is not traditional calligraphy at that point. The book is beautiful to look at and a compelling read.

I really enjoyed the novel plot line and characters. I also loved the organization of the novel - starting in the present with flash backs from time to time. And I loved the calligraphy. However, all the characters are very wooden and remind me of the stereotypical Japanese character, where you never know what they are thinking or why they do something. While I could understand some of the reasons certain characters did certain things from the aspect of Japanese societal rules - such as why Hanako feared retribution by her husband - I think this really needs to be made clearer and explored further in order to be understood and appreciated by an international readership. Otherwise the reader is just left wondering - "Why on earth would they do that?!".

The Fourth Treasure is a novel with strong elements of Japanese writing and neuroscience. If you are interested in either, or both, you should read it. However, unfortunately, while the storyline is interesting, the book has serious flaws in characterization. Most of the characters don't really come alive - they are flat.

My friend from Ukraine asked me to order this book for her...She mentioned that the used book would be ok because she read the book of this author in Russian but she needed it in English. So, I placed an order for her...I got this book. It was in very poor condition-stinky yellow pages...I was told that the book by itself is a treasure. I have doubts thinking about sending this book abroad to my friend. I think that sellers should not only determine conditions as " used", but if it is in such bad condition they would need to write honestly:stinky yellow pages...I would recommend to buy this book but not from this seller!