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DanielL
Lance - Thank you for posting the link to “Learning from Shogun”. If others haven’t read it, eight academic scholars of Japanese history, culture, language, and literature contributed individual essays to a paper entitled “Learning from Shogun.” The scholars point out the “Western fantasy” of Shogun versus reality; but the fantasy was based on actual events and individuals, e.g., Blackthorne was based on William Adams; Mariko was based on Hosokawa Gracia; Toranaga was based on Tokugawa Ieyasu; Buntaro was based on Hosokawa Tadaoki, etc. The scholars agree that “Shogun” is basically a Western romance fantasy and facts are embellished, but overall, they seem to agree that as a historical fiction, Shogun is a fairly accurate depiction of feudal Japan in the 1600.
The one thing that I didn’t realize until I read “Learning from Shogun” was all the events in the novel “Shogun” took place over a 6-8 month period. Given the length of the novel, I thought it covered several years.
The one thing that I didn’t realize until I read “Learning from Shogun” was all the events in the novel “Shogun” took place over a 6-8 month period. Given the length of the novel, I thought it covered several years.
Joy Harmon
Yes, and thank you. My impression of Shogun has always been that it was a well research novel, but I never knew if this was just my idea. It reinforces my theory that good historical fiction is well researched. Books like this do not come along often.
I go back and forth between biography and historical fiction. The two qualities of good writing and good research are seldom found together in one book. I wish the biographers would take a cue from the historical fiction writers and remember that good writing is an important part of a book. So, often the biographies read like a list of facts. That's fine if it's supposed to be a text book. But if the author wants to be read and enjoyed the book has to also tell the story well.
I go back and forth between biography and historical fiction. The two qualities of good writing and good research are seldom found together in one book. I wish the biographers would take a cue from the historical fiction writers and remember that good writing is an important part of a book. So, often the biographies read like a list of facts. That's fine if it's supposed to be a text book. But if the author wants to be read and enjoyed the book has to also tell the story well.
howtodowtle (AJD)
Thank you! Still reading the book. Should I wait with the essay until I'm finished?
Joshua Thompson
Thank you for posting this book - I started reading it, found it quite interesting and decided to order a physical copy.
Maria
The readers abso-freaking-lutely would.
(I get really excited about historical fiction that is historically accurate)
(I get really excited about historical fiction that is historically accurate)
Nick
Lance, yes, and thanks for adding the link! I really enjoyed Shogun and the whole way through the book I was wondering how historically accurate it was. While I haven't read the PDF you've pointed to yet, I've just downloaded it and I'm eager to get into it! Thanks once again.
Alin
Looks good. I know I will read it!
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