fall in love

[Phoebe]

It was one of those i recieved and laid in my shelf for over a month. After all it had been passed on to me by one who had recieved it as her birthday present from her then boyfriend (now husband) and she claimed she'd failed to read it. and she's quite a reader. But the day I strted reading it, i couldnt do anything else. I fell in love with James Clavell, with the japanese culture, with the characters-their zeal and commitment,the storms, the swords, the food; whats not to love.

[18robri]

Still working on this book, but I have loved most of what I have covered so far. I do read quickly and some of the names catch me up a bit, but there is so much going on! Love the power struggle and am enjoying the insight on Japanese culture from Clavell's point of view. It is one area that I have not really studied. So far, so good.

[Mznerd]

It only took me a few days to finish the book. I read it earlier this year and just couldn't stop reading... almost got fired from my job b/c of it. I love the history and the details of the Japanese culture the most.

[Kandice]

This is one of my all time favorite books! I have read it 13 times, and can stop or start from any point and be instantly sucked in! There was a miniseries in the 70's starring Richard Chamberlain, that is excellent as well. Pretty much the only place to find it is the library, but worth a watch if you really enjoy the book.

[Wally]

I think my love for Japanese culture started through James Clavell.

[Jennifer]

One of my top 10. I am on my second copy due to pages falling out. I read it so fast the first time that I did not understand all of the politic maneuvering. When I read it now I don't skip a word. Fantastic read!

[George]

Wally wrote: "I think my love for Japanese culture started through James Clavell."

Same here. I've been fascinated by their culture since first reading this in 1995. I was on holiday in Europe at the time and my fondest memories are of curling up in bed and reading this at the end of each day.

[Henry]

One the best novels I've read. I loved going through Blackthorne's (great character name) journey through 17th century Japanese culture. The sense of alienation, the power struggles, the juxtaposition between cultures and the ending... It still resonates with me after all these years. A true classic. A enjoyed the mini series tremendously as well. Toshiro Mifune is just perfect as Lord Toranaga.

[Wally]

I also love the series. I agree he is perfect as Toranaga and Richard Chamberline as Blackthorne as well.

[Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!]]

I first read Shogun in 1977 and have read it at least five times since. It is my all time favourite novel. I also loved the full 10 hours mini series and have it recorded on tape ... maybe I should convert it to disc sometime :-)

Whenever I recommend it, I tell the person to persevere for the first 300 pages, because it takes that long to establish the characters and the story line and that the remaining 1000 or so are really worth the effort. A great read and Clavell's best by far.

[Huw]

This has to be one of my all time favourites and I return to it at least twice a year. It has many great themes; political machinations, xonophobia, cultural adaptation and adoption, love, warfare and Japanese culture and society.

To anyone who enjoys Shōgun, could I recommend The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet. It does not have the same density of style but I found it equally rivetting.

[Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!]]

Huw wrote: "This has to be one of my all time favourites and I return to it at least twice a year. It has many great themes; political machinations, xonophobia, cultural adaptation and adoption, love, warfare..."

Huw,
Thanks for the recommendation. I have added The Thousand Autumns to my to-read list. Peace.

[Clark]

I was completely absorbed by this novel. Very compelling, very detailed, very well researched. The mini-series was one of the few books-to-screen adaptations that did not disappoint me. Would love to get an unabridged audio version to listen to for long drives in my car. I felt, like the hero, that I had landed in a very exotic country when I started this book. My eyes and mind were opened and so began a life long fascination with Japan and Japanese culture.

[Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!]]

Clark wrote: "I was completely absorbed by this novel. Very compelling, very detailed, very well researched. The mini-series was one of the few books-to-screen adaptations that did not disappoint me. Would lo..."

Clark,
There is an audio version available and it is very good. I will post details later as I am on my iPad now and not my main PC. Peace.

[Clark]

Terence wrote: "Clark wrote: "I was completely absorbed by this novel. Very compelling, very detailed, very well researched. The mini-series was one of the few books-to-screen adaptations that did not disappoint..."

Thanks! I'd love to revisit this novel!

[Christopher]

Phoebe wrote: "It was one of those i recieved and laid in my shelf for over a month. After all it had been passed on to me by one who had recieved it as her birthday present from her then boyfriend (now husband)..."

I re-read this book every two to three years and every time I find a detail or situation I hadn't quite noticed before.

[Christopher]

Wally wrote: "I think my love for Japanese culture started through James Clavell."

You and me both. My love for Japanese culture started when I was a kid and my "homework" for social studies was to watch the Shogun television miniseries. With my jaw dropped the entire time 9look at those costumes, those weapons, those ninja!), I knew I had to read the book.

[Eden]

Thank you to everyone for relpying!! I am loving this book, but am having trouble remembering who everyone is for some reason. I have heard that it is a great book I love ANYTHING Japanese.
I am on page 256 and am really enjoying the heck out of this book. I am glad you said to persevere through the first 300 pages..I am almost there..but I cannot imagine it getting any better than it is now!!
What is everyones view of the other books in the series? Worth it? Not so worth it? Let me know.

[Christopher]

I love all his books, you should try out Nobel House, great book. There is also Shogun mini series that was made in the 70s.

[Christopher]

Tai-pan was interesting as well, but pales compared to Shogun. There are indeed a LOT of characters in Shogun. Here's a secret: Re-read the book sometime in the future. I find with every re-read that I discover something new I had not noticed before. The scope is that big.