Shogun: A Novel of Japan (Paperback)

~ James Clavell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

'My bet for the most satisfyingly popular novel of the year ... It has power, it has violence, subtlety and lots, lots more ... Clavell never puts a foot wrong ... Get it, read it, you'll enjoy it mightily' -- Daily Mirror 'SHOGUN is a huge exotic, blood-stained canvas of sixteenth century but still medieval Japan, rival warlords and proselytising Jesuits, geishas, seppuku, samurai with the death-with and a shipwrecked Elizabethan' -- Guardian 'Mr Clavell tells his story brilliantly' -- The Times 'One of the great page turners of all time' -- Good Book Guide 20020208 'I can't remember when a novel has seized my mind like this one. It's irresistable, maybe unforgettable. Clavell ... creates a world so enveloping you forget who and where you are' -- New York Times 20020208

Product Description

This is James Clavell's tour-de-force; an epic saga of one Pilot-Major John Blackthorne, and his integration into the struggles and strife of feudal Japan. Both entertaining and incisive, SHOGUN is a stunningly dramatic re-creation of a very different world. Starting with his shipwreck on this most alien of shores, the novel charts Blackthorne's rise from the status of reviled foreigner up to the hights of trusted advisor and eventually, Samurai. All as civil war looms over the fragile country.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1136 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Paperback (December 2, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340766166
• ISBN-13: 978-0340766163
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #202,796 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Amazing Transformation of Master Pilot Blackthorne., February 10, 2006

By	Maximiliano F Yofre "Maxi" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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 describing 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. Characters are based on real-life people: Master Pilot William Adams and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Situated in the late 16th century Japan, at the critical transitional moment 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..
Master Pilot Blackthorne, his ship and his crew are thrown into Japanese shores by a mighty storm.
After a couple of shocking encounters with Portuguese Catholic priests and Japanese hieratic Samurai, Master Pilot starts a rollercoaster trip.
He will, 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 will be 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.
There is also a very interesting book about the real historical character: "Samurai Williams" authored by Giles Milton.
Enjoy this reading!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE MASTERPIECE THAT POPULARIZED MEDIEVAL JAPAN TO THE WEST!, September 30, 2007

By	NeuroSplicer (Freeside, in geosynchronous orbit) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is the novel that introduced the Samurai's bushido, daimyos rivalries and the bakufu Shogunate to the average westerner. Through the eyes of a shipwrecked navigator, Blackthorn, a previously hermetically closed world is revealed.

From battle ethics and sepuku to hygiene and tea ceremonies, the interwoven narrative lines flow harmonically, like carps in a Zen rock garden pool. Beautiful, economical and seamless, Clavell's insights on human nature have produced another Masterpiece.

Like most of James Clavell's novels, SHOGUN is a thinly veiled historical story. There was a "Blackthorn" (English pilot William Adams), as well as a "Torenaga" (Shogun Tokugawa whose dynasty ruled Japan for over 200 years). However, like most James Clavell's novels, the story comes alive in some many ways it is pure enjoyment!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

PS:
There is a 1980 TV mini series based on this book - of comparable merit. Casting Toshiro Mifune and Richard Chamberlain was just the tip of the iceberg. Truly beautiful production. Nevertheless, my advice is to first read the book and only THEN watch the TV version.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book., September 17, 2007

By	justsomeguy - See all my reviews

When I was a kid, we owned this really abstract game for our Commodore 64 called "Shogun". None of us had any idea how to play it, but we liked the music and thought the characters were funny looking. Fast-forward about 21 years and I am at a book fair and I come across this gem. I got it for like, a buck I think. This is a HUGE book. Something like 1,500 pages. I was always curious what it was that inspired such a crummy game. Well, this book is GREAT. Extremely well-written, it plays out like a movie. Some of it is confusing - as I have trouble remember who is who aside from a few key characters. But, it's a great read. I only recently learned this was a made-for-TV thing back in the day, and thanks to netflix, I'm going to watch that next. Good book. You'll like it.