Customer Reviews

Shogun: A Novel of Japan (2 Volumes)

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

 

 

From page one James Clavell convincingly recreates a place in time you want to visit and stay. He defines characters with immense depth and carefully gives you a a vivid description of each place. The story arc is dynastic and at times tragic with each character possessing the determination to succeed and often frightening cunning.

A no excuses, classic read.

In my teen years I saw the mini-series on television and I really liked it. I even bought it on DVD at Costco when I was on my own and would watch it at least twice a year or more when I was in a really "Japanese" mood. I was looking up something Japanese orientated at the library and this book popped up. I remember a family member having this book, but I was too young to want to read it at the time. Now, I thought, why rent it. It's a major classic! BUY IT! It can't be that expensive! I was wrong. It's an old book so not as many people have it available. Fortunately, I was able to get a nice copy of this version at a decent price. Now I feature it prominently on my Living Room Bookshelf with my other not so classic, but favorite books. I'll be reading it again next year. Probably after I watch the mini-series again. ;)

Clavell brings the far East history to life so I felt like I was there with his characters. Interesting and informative.

After waiting several weeks to get the book I was disappointed to see the hardcover was a small edition which was not stated in the offering. The print is almosr as small as a soft covered book and since this is a long book I was looking foward to luxuriating in reading a book that would not strain my eyes.