| Title | : | Shogun, Part 1 |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 533 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 1975 |
Shogun, Part 1 Reviews
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Read this book decades ago and it stayed on my top five books of all time for many years. I started reading this book one day after work and read it right through the night, took a shower and went to work. (This happened with very few books).
Then, years later (after I had started writing) I reread the book and found it not the way I remembered it. I give it five stars now out of respect for all the great memories I had of the book from the first read.
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series. -
4.5
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Shogun is a great read that provides insight into Japanese culture and politics but it isn't great literature.
On a recent episode of
This American Life, Stephanie Foo tells the story of a Japanese man, Nasubi, who endured 15 months of starvation, deprivation and isolation for a reality TV show. He could have walked out, called his friends, gone home, got dressed and eaten meat but he stayed with it simply because he had verbally committed to do so. The psychological impact was so severe that he lost the ability to maintain prolonged discussions and wearing clothes made him sweaty and uncomfortable. The show made him wildly famous but the fame faded quickly. It didn't make him rich. Today, he isn't significantly better off than when he started.
How could a verbal commitment be so compelling? Nasubi said it was simply part of the Japanese character. Could that possibly be true?
Shogun, a novel about a British pilot marooned in Japan around 1600, corroborates Nasubi's stated motivation. It's best approached as a fictionalized anthropological text with the adventure and intrigue turned up to 11. The surface focus of the book is on grand, predictable story arcs: a great leader uses cunning and political intrigue to gather power; a great adventurer overcomes all obstacles, a great romantic sacrifices herself for her ideals. On their own, these plot lines and character are enjoyable but thin. They're acceptable but not extraordinary summer reading. However, a thorough and compelling exploration of Japanese politics and culture courses through it all and elevates it to a story worth reading.
For example, Shogun showed me how important duty was to these Japanese of that time. It was expected that a lord would ask his vassal samurai to commit suicide if that vassal failed in a task. It was expected that peasants would be killed in bulk if they failed to meet a quota. None of this was seen as particularly bloodthirsty or cruel, it was accepted as a necessary ingredient for a successful community. These suicides were predictably tinged with sadness but they were also infused with honor.
Did Nasubi inherit some sense of this duty? I'm going to assume so. I doubt he would commit suicide but I'm willing to believe that he'd undergo extreme hardship simply because he felt he was committed to it.
I don't know how accurate Clavell was.
Wikipedia tells me it was based on the true story of William Adams, the first Englishman to land in Japan whose story shares the same arc as the protagonist of Shogun. Wikipedia also tells me that the novel is frequently used in university courses as source material. I'm inclined to believe that Clavell got his cultural studies right.
If you're interested in Japan, in how cultures clash or in cultural studies more broadly I'd recommend the book. If you're looking for compelling plots, rich characters or great literature in general you can pass it up. -
Клавел се очертава като един от най-харесваните от мен писатели, а "Шогун" влиза в моя топ 10 за книги.
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A great book to read if you're a fan of historical fiction! I've learned a lot about culture in feudal Japan and how the Japanese interacted with the outside world. Fascinating!
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The Shogun novels were written by James Clavell who had been a prisoner of war in a Japanese prison camp (Changi- Singapore). His experiences there led him to find out what kind of people the Japanese were and how they could be so cruel to their prisoners. To some extent his books answer his question in a way that I thought would have surprised him - the Code of Bushido has no place for prisoners but there was honour and duty and 'a code' in the Japanese Army.
The book itself is excellent and builds the world of ancient Japan extremely well with memorable characters. I still remember the samurai who was so dangerous that even as he prepared himself for ritual death at his own hands (seppuku), the ring or warriors kneeling around him gripped the handles of their swords tightly in case he attacked. The rituals, manners and attitudes I assume were properly researched, they had a ring of authenticity about them.
Well worth a read even 30 years on.
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4,5*
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Read long ago.
Recreates the world of ancient Japan,but a bit too lengthy. -
Страхотен разказ за войните за власт във феодална Япония.. Интересно,динамично,напрегнато написана книга,която те кара да се интересуваш и да търсиш още и още... Такива машинации,изкусно оплетени схеми, интриги и подмолност...изглежда Клавел е сложил Мартин в малкия си джоб още през седемдесетте.. И все още съм само до средата! Завиждам си!!
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,, M-am născut ca un strop de rouă
Ca roua dispar
Castelul Osaka și tot ce am făcut
Nu e decât un vis
Într-un alt vis ' -
Clavell descrie, într-un mod captivant, societatea japoneză din secolul al XVII-lea, urmărind destinele pilotului John Blackthorne, seniorului Toranaga și al frumoasei Mariko-san. Fiind un împătimit al istoriei, Shogun m-a introdus într-un univers în care domnesc ispitele, trădările și interesele fiecărei persoane. Întinderea sa (peste 600 de pagini) nu a constituit o piedică în calea lecturii. Am trecut deja la cel de-al doilea volum pe care îl savurez în tihnă.
„Astăzi orice călătorie pe mare este plină de riscuri, pentru că puținele hărți de navigație existente sînt atît de neclare încît aproape că nu-ți sînt de folos.”
„(...). De cîte ori trebuie să-ți spun: un pilot trebuie să aibă răbdare. Învață să ai răbdare, băiete!” -
I remember when I was still in school; there was a question which was occasionally being asked in our exams-
Who colonized Kenya?
A. Britain B. Portugal
C. Spain D. France
Yes, the British colonized Kenya. First they arrived like Missionaries. Their aim, to spread the word of God. They found our religion, if we had one, apathetic. They wanted to shine the light into our dark hearts, clean us of our cultural filth.
Salesmen will tell you that, all they need is to get a foot inside the door and they will sell you anything. That was the work of the missionaries. Having established their feet inside the door, it took them no effort before they could have their full body inside.
After the missionaries, came the traders and then the colonialists. Within no tome, Kenya was declared a protectorate of the majesty, her highness the queen. All land without any semblance of authority belonged to her. The natives were pushed into native camps.
Our way of life and culture was eroded. They termed it as backwards. They spread Christianity and some of our leaders were converted to Christianity. There was war, to those who dared to rebel.
Our leaders, some of them rebelled and they were met with strong opposition from the British. They wanted wealth, minerals and raw products for their factories and their country.
They also wanted slaves for labor back in their country. So they traded with the locals for these slaves.
Long story short, they ended up partitioning Kenya and enforcing their own laws. They build schools, hospitals, roads, railway line etc.
We gained independence in the year 1963 after the Mau Mau war.
Reading Shogun, brings back those memories as Japan tries to establish and maintain stability through their leaders, in the empire. This, among other challenges facing the empire.
There are also the traders and barbarians in the empire who cannot be trusted. They brought with them guns, gun powder, cannons etc under the cover of trade prospects. They also brought with them Catholicism, with the aim of converting the heathens in Japan.
So now, the country has to try and maintain peace among their leaders, keep close watch of the barbarians and Christians, ensure the growth of the empire and maintain their culture.
An epic historical saga!
The events take place in Japan!
I have so many times wanted to drop this book and get another one because: It's big, it's historical, it's cultural, it's adventurous, it's religious etc.
Yes, I know what you are thinking, that these are more reasons to read than to abandon it!
You are right.
Patience is what you need as the showdown starts deep, deep into the book! -
I first read this book when I was 12 or 13 and have read it several times since. Such a good story and descriptions of feudal Japan. I learned so much of their culture and the meanings behind some traditions. But first and foremost a amazing story !!
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Ennek a regénynek a hatására szerettem bele Japánba, a japán gondolkodásmódba, amit nem igazán értek, de nagyon igyekszem, és persze a vallásukba, hiszen ez a kettő nem létezhet egymás nélkül.Őszintén szólva nem tudom, mennyire valósághű a regény úgy en bloc, de ez nem is fontos, mert ha az ember akar, utánaolvashat a korszaknak, de az biztos, hogy Clavellnek sikerült olyan jellemeket megalkotnia, ami befogadhatóvá teszi a nyugati ember számára is mindazt, amit Japán jelent, főleg, hogy az egész történelmi helyzetet az angol Blackthorne személyén keresztül éljük át, így a nyugati és a keleti látásmód közötti különbségek azonnal kiütköznek.
Hogy milyen japánnak lenni, japán életet élni, úgy viselkedni, és az élet apró dolgaira japánként tekinteni, a regény egyik nagy vonzereje.
A másik a történelmi korszak, és a kort benépesítő hatalmasságok. Tokugawába (Toranagába) szinte szerelmes lettem, (már kinőttem, némileg), imádtam a csavaros észjárását, hogy olyan biztonsággal mozog a politikai életben, az előrelátását, és a rugalmasságát, amivel pillanatok alatt képes volt egy flottul felépített tervet azonnal átvariálni, ha a helyzet megkívánta. Aki a japán udvari élet mellett képes volt megérni az öregkort, az elmondhatta magáról, hogy vagy nagyon szerencsés, vagy jóval intelligensebb az átlagnál. Itt szó szerint az élet volt a tét, elég, ha tett egy rossz mozdulatot, vagy rosszkor nézett félre, jöhetett a szeppuku, vagy az azonnali lefejezés. Ha kapott rá időt, hogy felkészüljön a halálára, az már megtiszteltetés volt.
Japán történelme alapból is izgalmas és mozgalmas, a Sógun politikai játszmái viszont külön figyelemreméltóak a kultúrális különbözőség miatt, amit tökéletesen hozott Clavell. A pókerarc, amivel rendelkeztek a szereplők, a nem-reagálás, amivel igyekeztek titokban tartani mindent, az éppen aktuális szövetségeket, a következő lépéseket ebben a nagyon bonyolult sakkjátszmában, a nem-meglepődést egy-egy váratlan fordulatra, egyszerűen a legapróbb rezdülés is érezhető és érthető volt.
A Sógunban a cél, mint bárhol máshol a világon a történelem folyamán, a hatalom megszerzése bármi áron, bármilyen eszközzel. Viszont a kultúrájuk miatt egészen más utakon érik el a céljaikat, amik nekünk, nyugatiaknak egzotikus és izgalmas, másképpen élik meg a sikereket és a kudarcokat is, amit a regény pontosan közvetített. -
The book is much than the series, and the series was quite good. It is the same story and yet it has many differences. It's an action packed adventure and a love story too. Clavell writes it beautifully.
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Nėra lengvai skaitoma, bet nuo kokio vidurio smarkiai įtraukė. Imu antrą tomą.
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I like a good adventure story, I also like a good solid novel with engaging characters and a unique narrative: this novel is both. The main character is John Blackthorne, an English pilot of a dutch ship who is shipwrecked and stranded in late sixteenth century Japan. Blackthorne learns Japanese customs and language to survive. Through his heroism he is made Samurai and becomes a valuable asset to lord Toranaga, a major overlord vying for domination of Japan. As Blackthorne gains an understanding of Japanese culture, I found my own interest in Japanese culture piqued. I am actually compelled to go learn something more about Japan!
Since I remembered a few scenes from the original Shogun miniseries I was on the lookout for corniness throughout the book, but was happy to find the novel has aged well. The love story, woven through the plot, was a little sappy at times, but that was expected. If I were to place this book on the historical fiction continuum, I would fit it between the works of John Jakes (good story telling, though corny, and more couplings than a soap opera) and Herman Wouk. I can't justly compare this novel to one of my favorite historical fiction series (The Sharpe Series by Bernie Cornwell), mainly because the Sharpe books are short action packed stories, while this novel tells a long intricate story, punctuated by occasional action scenes.
Overall, I found this to be a good read and I wonder if a better novel about Japan exists? -
There might be a story worth reading somewhere in here, but there was way too much unimportant and dull dialogue for me to continue. I made it about 10% through and gave up - I would have loved more focus on progressing the story, though I did enjoy the parts about Japanese culture, but there was a serious lack of editing that killed my interest. Based on the plot synopsis I read, I think I'd enjoy a 300-400 page version instead of this 1000+ page version.
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I thought I will never find something like Shantaram again but I somehow did find it in Shogun although both have their differences as well as similarities. Another thing that I really liked in the book was that it gave a very good insight at what has actually been happening during the colonization, not only in Japan but all over the world.
I was a bit bored in the beginning of the book but everything fell into place the moment Mariko came in the picture! :D The plot is complex and very political so it really got me concentrating, I love how rich and deeply researched the story is. The insight it gives at the Japanese culture is priceless.
A great book and a great history lesson! Beginning volume II at once! -
Wow, this is a good one. A great one. It's about a European that arrives in Japan, in 1600, and learns about Japan and its traditions. It's sooooo good.
I heard about it since high school, but because of its length, I never tried to read it. But I'm happy that I decided to start it. It's a very nice book, which I tried to enjoy and not "binge" reading because it's so good and I want it to last (I stayed one night and read it for 2 hours+, but besides this, I tried to limit the reading at 30-45 minutes, so I can appreciate it).
It reminds me a little bit of "Vraciul. Profesorul Wilczur", which was also a very nice one.
Can't wait to read the second part. <3 -
This is a memorable book. The torture scene still haunts me.
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Наистина великолепна книга. Представената японска народо-психология ми беше изключително интересна, защото винаги съм искала да разбера тях и обичаите им. Това настрана, персонажите са добре разгърнати и интересни и въобще много лесно се забелязва защо тази книга е такава класика. Джеймс Клавел пише супер добре и толкова лесно се чете. Нямам търпение за втори том.
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Audible had a sale a while ago, so I picked up Shogun to read because I remember just loving it when I was young. Wow! I have been thinking that editors have been getting worse as time goes by, but I'm not sure there was an editor for this book. There is lots that just doesn't make sense. For instance, at one time the Anjisan is captured in the enemy's castle. There is a fight, which the Angisan loses, and then all of a sudden he is walking out with a priest with no explanation of why he has been let go. The priests are evil and interfering some of the time and then a few chapters later they are nice. I am of that age of women who loved Richard Chamberlain (Dr. Kildare), so I had to watch the made for TV movie after completing the book. I have to admit that it was s l o w. And I laughed out loud at some scenes that weren't supposed to be funny, but all in all both the book and movie were a fun walk down memory lane.
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I don't often enjoy historical fiction (a personal preference for biographies and historical NON-fiction) but Shogun was a very engaging and fascinating tale. I enjoyed how the book begins from Blackthorne's perspective and ends with Toranaga's. Clavell uses the 1200+ pages of this epic adventure to tell various, yet intertwining, stories...and he writes from the perspective of many different characters, men and woman, Japanese and foreigner. I found the ending to be rather anti-climatic, which is why I am holding back 1 star in my rating. I felt a bit cheated at the end with the somewhat rushed finale and the vague lack of resolution. But I would recommend it to any and all readers.
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Un roman excelent cu acțiune, război, dramă, iubire, răzbunare și politică. Ce mi-a plăcut cel mai mult este cât de bine se prezintă cultura japoneză și modul de trai al japonezilor la 1600 prin prisma unor acțiuni care mereu sunt pe muchie de cuțit (sau sabie de samurai... să zic așa). Am simțit că lecturez un serial, care de la capitol la capitol m-a ținut în suspans. Abia aștept să încep volumul 2.
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I feel that one could learn a lot of Japanese culture and history from this book. However, I get the feeling that it is too biased toward an Anglo-European world view. I might look for a more authentic historical fiction book.
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So far it’s not as good as Tai-Pan, but good enough to keep going. It’s probably better than the TV miniseries version, but I suspect that I was easy to impress when I was 12.
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Още откакто навлезнах в читателското общество „Шогун“ ми направи впечатление като много хвалена книга, както и нейният автор. И така още отпреди няколко години все наблюдавам заглавието, ала едва сега посегнах да го отворя. И то защото го получих като подарък, което на свой ред сметнах за знак от съдбата. Или както японците биха го нарекли – карма.
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Ако се интересувате от японска култура, то „Шогун“ определено е книгата за вас. Не очаквах да попадна в толкова богато изрисувана обстановка и на толкова крайни обичай. В Япония честта и дългът са на първо място, а нарушителите се наказват строго. Смъртта в повечето случаи означава помилване, докато да живееш посрамен е истинското наказание, което твоят господар може да ти наложи. На места някои сцени ми се сториха дори гротескни, ала пък колкото и жестокост да се показва в книгата, толкова и красота и нежност има.
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Психологичните уроци са приятното допълнение към богатия сюжет. Обещавам ви много неочаквани обрати и напрегнати моменти, в които сърцето ви ще бумти докато стискате ст��аниците с побелели пръсти, а наоколо ще свистят самурайски мечове. В „Шогун“ постоянно се случва нещо. Страниците са претъпкани със сложни схеми и многопластови действия, които се засягат взаимно. Удоволствие е да се проследи всичко това и лично на мен не ми се искаше да свършва!
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Просто това е един шедьовър, който всеки задължително трябва да прочете. Всичко – от уникално красивата перспектива на Япония, богатият сюжет, пълнокръвните герои и онова хубаво чувство, което книгата оставя в теб, като се събере се превръща в „Шогун“.
