Dream of a Spring Night

Hollow Reed #1

by I.J. Parker

Bartered for favors, fifteen-year-old Oba Toshiko, daughter of a provincial warlord, enters the women’s quarters of Emperor Go-Shirakawa where her talent and innocence excite the emperor’s lust and the dangerous jealousy of Lady Sanjo. An accidental and forbidden meeting with the nobleman-physician Yamada Sadahira tempts Toshiko’s heart and tests her loyalty to her family. When her enemy strikes, she makes a desperate choice to be with Sadahira.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Japan, Historical, Romance, Fiction, Mystery, Asia

344 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2011

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not bad, I just found it difficult to care about any of the characters, with the expection of the evil woman who was actually the most engaging. I did finish it.

[Macpudel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Toshiko, the 14-year old protagonist was not sympathetic or well-developed enough to compel me toward the next book in the series. She's basically sold by her family to the Emperor as part of her father's plan to better the family's rank. As part of his cunning plan, his father has Toshiko taught the songs and dances that are normally the specialty of courtesans, because he knows that's what the emperor likes. But her mother, in charge of teaching her what's required of women, apparently fails to mention anything about the bedroom arts, because Toshiko lays there like a fish and does not make the most of the emperor's interest in her. Toshiko is at turns rebellious and passive, but to me it seemed like inconsistent characterization rather than adolescent indecision. Great Japanese milieu, but overall weak characters.

[Quasimode · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first of the Hollow Reed duology was written in 2011, and is a nice departure from Parker's Akitada detective series, though it's also set in Heian-era Kyoto. It's the story of a girl who's basically forced by her rural family to move to Kyoto and become one of the Emperor's concubines - at his request, so it can't be refused - and how she deals with having her life basically destroyed by powers beyond her control.

The characters and the theme of perseverance through a seemingly impossible dilemma are absorbing and memorable - I can't wait to dive into book #2 - but the book could have benefited from a little more depth in dramatizing Toshiko Oba's (or Oba Toshiko's, if you follow the Japanese convention of placing the surname before the given name,) life on her family farm. We're given enough information, but her father and brother are very shallowly presented and we only know of her sisters and mother in third-person mention in passing. Similarly, only the three or four principle characters get dramatized in her life at court.

Another gripe is that the book ends as abruptly as a "to be continued..." line at the bottom of a multi-part TV drama. I knew this was a duology going in, but the ending could've been wrapped up on a more conclusive note. So form is sacrificed a little to "cliffhanger."

Nonetheless, absorbing - and ready for #2.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I.J. Parker is by far my favorite author in the world. Everything she writes Japan-related is just magical. I wish her lots of health and please keep writing. This is not an Akitada novel, but it is beautifully written and reads just as fast as an Akitada novel.

[Juliette · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing in this book seemed undeveloped, as if this was the author's first attempt at writing. It also seems unfinished, and while it is the first of a trilogy, I am not really interested in reading the next book.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hollow Reed trilogy volume 1

Ms. Parker creativity has sparked once more and has provided us with another exciting and very captivating historical fiction. This time a trilogy that tells the stories of human beings caught in the terrifying events that shook a nation. The first installment brings us to the closing year of the twelfth century Japan with Go-Shirakawa as its emperor. At the time there is growing unrest between factions forcing a minor vassal, Oba no Hiramato to sell his fourteen year old daughter Toshiko to the emperor in exchange for fervors. Toshiko submits to the will of her father but little did she know she will soon fall into the treacherous world of concubines vying for Do-Shirakawa’s attention.

At the same time, Yamara Sadahira works as a physician among the poor and is occasionally called to the palace to treat the imperial cooks. One day, he takes a wrong turn and ends up in the forbidden women’s quarters where he meets Toshiko and falls deeply in love with her…..and debuts a passionate tale of love……

Ms. Parker’s prose is rich and elegant. She excels in portraying emotional depth in her characterization and her tale vividly comes alive with passion and with tradition. Even if the action may seem to slow down at times there are surprising turns of events to captivate us while this wonderful adventure unfolds. Like any good trilogy we are left hanging and wanting for more, this one is no exception. I enjoy this new tale and looking forward to the second volume.

[Bluejay44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book greatly. Most interesting to learn a bit about life in an emperor's palace in Japan from the perspective a a young country girl. Having been told by her mother that whatever happened to her was simply her karma and must be accepted. Also to pray for the strength to forget herself and simply to serve future generations.
Such an isolated, lonely life in spite of her luxurious surroundings, Toshiko only has one friend among the other ladies of the court, until a chance meeting with the Doctor when he loses his way among the palace buildings.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Free kindle book. You get what you pay for. I wasn't very impressed. I understand this is part of a trilogy but if the first was to induce me to read the remaining two, it failed in that regard. This is the story of a very young Japanese courtesan and her experiences at the court of a retired emperor. In my opinion, the characters are shallow and the predictable plot develops slowly before coming to a very abrupt end. For light reading over a weekend or two this will do, but don't expect anything like Memoirs of a Geisha. You'll be disappointed.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I J Parker really has a way with the older historical Japanese settings. This trilogy is a wonderful venture into this era. If you like ancient Japan, you won't want to miss this. The central female protagonist, Toshiko, is likeable and strong. A somewhat intimate story set against a backdrop of political turmoil. I suggest you buy all 3 volumes of "The Hollow Reed" series at once because the first two are sort of cliff-hangers: the trilogy really is a single 3-volume novel.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book for its protagonist, Oba no Toshiko, and a few other compelling characters. The rigid social structure, though, was disturbing to my twentieth- and twenty-first-century self: not just the compartmentalization by gender, class, urban/provincial dichotomy but the willingness of the Oba family to sacrifice their daughter to advance agendas of the rest of the family was distasteful. Toshiko's independence and strength of character ultimately lead to a satisfying conclusion.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Not as good as the detective series by a long shot, but still, I love the details of life, custom, dress, and etiquette. This felt like it needed
more fleshing out, plus a more dramatic plot trajectory.

[S.T. Iovino · Rating 1 out of 5]

not worth the time!

Superficial and predictable story. Characters developed minimally. disappointing ,, Ending like a Cinderella story-- not believable or even possible as conclusion .

[Ann Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this ok, but it just ended too abruptly.

[Susan McDuffie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, evocative story of life in this distant era.

[Therese]

$0.0

[liirogue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Parker's Akidata series, but this novel is not up to the same level. The characters felt thin and underdeveloped. Parker richly describes 12th century Japan, but the characters are just too lacking.