Shogun

I can not praise this book enough - I love it. I've only read it three times, but as it sits here beside me as I write this I feel it's like an old, trusted friend.

This is one of the longest books that I've ever read -over 1100 pages of pure joy- but I was actually sorry when I'd read it -I wanted more! I've always been fascinated with Japanese culture - and especially love the Ukiyo-e woodblock prints of the Edo period - so this was the ideal book for me, and I learnt so much about feudal Japan.

The story is simple: Pilot-Major John Blackthorn is shipwrecked off the coast of Japan, he is first reviled by the Japanese before being integrated and then respected as an ally by his close bond with Toranaga -close for a gai-jin, that is. As Blackthorn learns the language and Japanese ways so does the reader and by the end of it you feel more well versed with the ways of Bushido and Japanese life in general.

Given the length of this book the characters are given plenty of time to evolve and gain depth, and the political landscape becomes clearer. The Japanese society is far more subtle to Western eyes, and incomprehensible at times, but I feel it is far superior in many ways - there is an inner purity and peace that can be found in the most unlikely pursuits (like the tea ceremony, for example) but this can be at complete odds with the hair-trigger tempers of the Samurai.

Blackthorn himself is a very interesting character and his repartee with the Portuguese Rodrigues is fascinating - they are both sworn enemies but they are able to strike up an unlikely friendship. In fact Blackthorn is the perfect foil for the reader - he is very intelligent; quick witted and courageous. He also has a strong sense of honour - something the Japanese pride themselves on upon all other qualities.

I could very easily read Shogun again, but I know if that were to happen I would have to read the others in the series and that would be over 4000 pages worth of reading... Pure bliss!!