Wang - The Sword of Kaigen [Feb 1, 2020]

[Beena]

@Ryan, Agree with Chris about Takeru, I think he's put it very well.

And I second Tammie. (view spoiler)[ I wanted Misaki to kick his ass! He deserved it! (And also, I just love a good fight scene lol.) But was pretty surprised by the outcome afterwards. (hide spoiler)]

[Ryan]

Thanks for the responses, Chris and Tammie. I can't say I'm fully satisfied with the way the author handled it but the Misaki/Takeru relationship building is really strong and believable regardless, and probably one of the most enjoyably written relationships I've read for quite some time.

[Chris]

Ryan wrote: "Thanks for the responses, Chris and Tammie. I can't say I'm fully satisfied with the way the author handled it but the Misaki/Takeru relationship building is really strong and believable regardless..."

Thanks for asking the questions! I didn't give them enough thought on my own until you asked.

I think many of the character-relationships were really well done. Mamoru/Misaki, Mamoru/Kwang, Misaki/Takeru, Misaki/Robin.. realizing as I type this that just about everything involving Misaki was just enjoyable to read.

Oh, and thanks Beena!

[Graeme]

Chris wrote: "Ryan wrote: "Thanks for the responses, Chris and Tammie. I can't say I'm fully satisfied with the way the author handled it but the Misaki/Takeru relationship building is really strong and believab..."

Agreed. 70% in, and this is essentially Misaki's story.

[Graeme]

Beautifully drawn characters and relationships.

[Graeme]

The duel.

Amazingly well told. The emotional notes are like a symphony. None are missed and they all ring true.

[Mayim]

I had shivers when I was reading this scene.

[Graeme]

Mayim wrote: "I had shivers when I was reading this scene."

Ahhh - the sign of effective writing.

[Graeme]

Finished.

Loved it. Simply brilliant.

Review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Graeme]

Regarding Takeru, (view spoiler)[Consider any child faced with a terribly painful situation who can 'become the mountain,' - I would have done the same, and once on that pathway it would become the go to method from that point on (like a drug addiction).

Of course, everyone around you pays the price (as you do yourself) for the absence of emotional intimacy.

The capacity to 'hold pain,' is necessary to embrace genuine emotional intimacy with another human being. For me, this is a key observation of Wang's story. (hide spoiler)]

[Graeme]

#1 msg. Genuine emotional intimacy requires a willingness to experience and hold pain, and is not feasible without that courage.

[Ryan]

I don't know how useful that message is when most people are incapable of an alternative to "holding pain" - there is no becoming the mountain. To some extent, people can ignore or compartmentalize pain, but never to the extent that Takeru can.

But yes, intimacy requires a good way to deal with pain, though not too much, or the relationship is already dysfunctional.

[Tammie]

Graeme wrote: "Finished.

Loved it. Simply brilliant.

Review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I'm so glad you loved it!

[Graeme]

Ryan wrote: "I don't know how useful that message is when most people are incapable of an alternative to "holding pain" - there is no becoming the mountain. To some extent, people can ignore or compartmentalize..."

Plenty of people will avoid pain by avoiding intimacy and commitment. Wang's basic msg is that this will leave you less than human, or less than your full self. Takeru and Misaki have different paths and challenges but come to the same final location. Hence why their relationship resolves too.

For example, while Misaki's eyes were on her past, or on the horizon, she wasn't committed to her life and family on the mountain. But, in the end she's let go of who she was and arrives at acceptance of who she really is - and her inherent power.

[Graeme]

Thanks Tammie.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Finally available on audio... I've heard so many good things about this... Scott even recommended it to me... and now I can listen to it...

[Tammie]

I hope you like it Iain. It was one of my favorite reads this year.

[Anni]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Finally available on audio... I've heard so many good things about this... Scott even recommended it to me... and now I can listen to it..."

There is? Awesome! I'm reading it since forever now because I had next to no time to pick up my kindle 🙈 And was so sad, because I think I might have loved the book and I wished there was an audiobook so badly!

Have you already started it Iain?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Not yet