Shogun

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Summary: THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING BOOKS I`VE READ!!!
Review: KONNICHIWA!
I got Shogun for my birthday, and it is awesome. I had not been that interested in Japanese culture, and what I usually assosciated Japan with was what I saw from martial arts movies, etc. BUT, this book was awesome. It grabbed my attention, which is what I most liked about it. Even if you are not interested in Japanese culture, this book will make you interested! It is the epic story of an english pilot who is shipwrecked and lands in Japan. The book follows his life in Japan, how he is intergrated into their society, etc. On the way, loads of Japanese culture is revealed to you. There is action, intrigue, everything you would ever want, as well as occasional humour.
The characters are all different and unforgettable. I seriously recommend this book to anyone. You will not be displeased!

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Summary: My Favorite Novel of All Time, the Greatest Epic of All !!
Review: Shogun is my favorite novel of all time, the greatest novel there could ever be, and one of the most brilliant works of art and one of the greatest literary masterpieces in world history. I have read some of Charles Dickens' masterworks such as Great Expectations and Oliver Twist, and Shogun compares quite favorably to those, and is of similar quality to another of my favorite authors, Alexandre Dumas, of The Three Musketeers series fame (Dumas' The Three Musketeers series actually includes more than seven different novels, including The Man In the Iron Mask, 20 Years Later, The Black Tulip, The Vicomte de Bragelonne, Louise de la Valliere, etc.), but Shogun also stands apart as the one consummate and all-perfect Western portrait of Japan which no other Western writer has ever come close to matching. Let me just say this: For any American or Westerner who has any affinity for or admiration of Japanese culture, this book is an *absolute* necessity to read. Clavell captures not only Japanese customs, history, and social structure, but the very essence of Japanese aethetics, spirituality and the Japanese outlook itself. What unfolds is an historical novel of such excitement, passion, love, beauty, grandeur, violence, tragedy, and inspiration, that our present world of the 20th and 21st centuries melts away and is replaced by a pristine and flawless rendition of the chrysanthemum world of 1600, a time when edens still existed on Earth and great civilizations and countries like that of Japan were still unspoiled by the West. In Shogun pleasure houses are exalted as a gift of the gods rather than how brothels are debased as a "sin" in the West. An afternoon tea is elevated to the most refined, civilized, and sophisticated level imaginable, compared to the relative mediocrity of what an afternoon tea is in a country like England, where tea time is supposed to be a national tradition. For all of you under any other impression, the character of John Blackthorne is completely accurate from actual history. I did research after I read Shogun as a boy, and read distinct accounts in several library references about the almost-mythical Englishman who landed on the shores of Japan. But he did exist, and there are even books devoted exclusively to his history. He also is probably recorded in the Japanese municipal halls of records, and I'm sure research has been done on these. But as for the novel, Clavell has created an unforgettable story which will remain in your heart forever. And for people who do not understand the Japanese mind and spirit, there is no better thing to read than this book, which explains not only the Japanese attitude about politics, war, spirituality, self-discipline, duty, Japanese "love", and Japanese outlook, but also even the Japanese view of sexuality and business and strategy and family relations and philosophy. This book is so all-encompassing, it's hard to even do it justice with a review. Suffice it to say that it is by far one of the best novels EVER written, it deserves to be worshipped as an immortal masterpiece, and it is cherished by me as a unique and priceless treasure which changed me forever after I read it.

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Summary: Excellent read and informative to boot!
Review: At a friend's suggestion I decided to give this novel a go. I was not disappointed. It gives an excellent insight into the culture and habits of the Samurai and days gone by in Japan. The book details how two completely differing cultures (European & Japanese)misunderstand each other, are intolerant of each other but finally come to understand and respect each other, albeit guardedly. It was a wonderful read and would have received 5 stars but for the fact that it was somewhat longwinded at times. Definitely NOT to be missed!

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Summary: Quite possiblly the best book ever
Review: This is my favorite book of all time, I love it. I find myself rereading in constantly. The character and plot development are near perfect in my opinion. You almost get to know the characters on a personal level. I've read my fair share of excellent books in my few years, however, this is my favorite; it's a real page turner. I know that it is a long book, but it's just one of those books that you can't put down after you start to read it.

So just sit down, and start reading, trust me, you won't be able to stop. The book really is that good.

Rating:
Summary: a long review about nothing in particular
Review: this novel is quite possibly the best novel written after the death of sir dickens. in my mind, no author will ever surpass the genius of dickens' writing (especially bleak house. i love that one), but James Clavell has certainly come close. shogun being about as long as bleak house, the detail is just amazing. great character developement, especially when written in an age where bestsellers are pointless trashy love novels written to gain a few dollars (im exagerating here). not to the extent of 19th century english lit, but hey, hes not being paid by the word (or at least i dont think he was), so he can take the time to develop a plot-driven book with great (not amazing, but definitely worthy of the adjective great) characters. this is definitely one of those page-turners that you just can't put down, but it is deeper than that. james has a way of keeping you interested, yet a way of making the plot memorable, much like dickens except not depending on a set of circumstances (imo dickens' biggest downfall, but is easily overlooked). come to think of it, i don't think there were any EXTREMELY boring parts in this novel. some will argue that nothing happens in the beginning, which is true, but it isn't extremely boring because you are learning about japanese culture (which i already knew quite a bit about), which gives a touch of interestingness (is that a word?) that keeps you hooked. right before blackthorne gets his ship back is probably the most boring part for me because all it talks about is his secret relationship, but i got through it quickyl and with little encumbrance.

review in a nutshell: amazing book with good characters and plot. worthy of a read by ANYONE of any age, occupation, interests, etc.

READ IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you wont regret it...

Rating:
Summary: Amazing. Simply and undeniably amazing.
Review: This book, along with Lord of the Rings and Animal Farm, are book I must marvel at.

The wisdom, the history, everything perfect - yet with enough intended flaws to make it human. A thouroughly satisfying experience.

After reading this tome of Feudal Japan you will feel satiated yet empty, you will feel glad you have been given the privilidge of knowing the story yet sad you have to leave the characters that have become almost like comrades to you.

I reccomend this and all of Clavell's Asian saga, as I have read them all. By far, this is Clavell's most complete work, his most convoluted and sincere.

This is a masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: personal top 5 book
Review: There are some books I have to return to every year or two for another go round---LOTR, silmarillion, dune, and shogun.

Its just that good.