Shogun

The Epic Novel of Japan

paperback, 1152 pages

Published Aug. 13, 2019 by Blackstone Publishing.

ISBN:
978-1-9826-0384-7
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4 stars (13 reviews)

4 editions

Review of 'Shogun' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

It had moments, but felt like a book in need of a ruthless editor. “Of it’s time” in respects, and doubtful it’d hold up to a historical analysis. Kinda filled a need for a big book I could loose myself in, but far too meandering without enough payoff, ultimately lost interest.

Review of 'Shogun' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I enjoyed this book, but it comes dangerously close to overstaying its welcome.

I have to give credit to Clavell for putting together such a far-reaching epic story in a stand alone work. He does such a good job giving you well-researched details about feudal Japan and how their society hung together in contrast to feudal Europe, highlighting the many ways in which feudal Japan reads as more modern to the 20th / 21st century standard while also acknowledging their sort of collective, efficient brutality. The plot that emerges is twisty in a delightful way that court intrigue seems uniquely capable of delivering regardless of which culture it takes place in. Clavell does an especially great job making each of the many characters feel unique, with their own agendas, secrets, and desires. Not one of them felt like a caricature, or a mindless antagonist.

The one flaw with Shogun is …

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