I was 14-15 when I read it and had just returned from living in Japan for 3 years as a military brat which made it even more interesting to me
I agree, an awesome book, time to re-read it
I remember my grandad stealing my library copy in High school after seeing the OG mini series (cannot remember if it was a tape rental or just on tv) and getting yelled at by the librarian renewing it 3 times AND still was stupid late returning it.
I read it every summer. I've been doing that every year since it came out. I once worked in a place where the boss had a little glass office with blinds on all the walls. At lunch, he would close all the blinds and lock the doors. "Do not disturb me," he insisted. I'm reading "Shogun."
I took all 3 of his books to sea in 1977. Shogun, Tai-Pan. That was all he had published at the time. Then I was stationed in the Far East and got to see everything first hand that he wrote about. Thanks for posting and reminding me.
I read all his books when I was younger. The original Shogun miniseries was unique for the time in that much of the dialogue was in Japanese, gradually increasing with each episode as Blackthorne became immersed in the culture. I picked up quite a few words and phrases from watching it.
Just re-read it after watching the excellent show ( which differs in some significant ways from the novel). First read it when it first came out 78? Great book.
Read a lot of James Clavell in my teens/early 20s. My parents were big fans of his books so they were always around on the bookcase. His stuff is just the best 🙂
I'm listening to Gai Jin now, but struggling as I don't drive so much now. Remember reading them all years ago. King Rat is brilliant too. Would have loved to know more about Clavell
It is a great book! I read it when I was 15. I had to keep notebook of characters and names, but it was so worth it! Noble House, Tai-Pan & King Rat were also good as a series!
All Clavell's books are epic, but this one is my fave. I'm actually re-reading Tai Pan for about the tenth time, then will read the others (Noble House, Gai-Jin). May also pick up Whirlwind after them, but it's my least favourite after King Rat.
Read the whole quartet: "Shogun," "King Rat," "Tai Pan," and "Noble House" as a teenager. What a blast. But "Shogun" is arguably the best by a long shot.
The show was amazing! I’ve already watched it twice. I did the dubbed version and my brother just watched the subtitles and we both had things to say after. But so good
Will do! Seems like there's too much stuff to watch and not enough time. I still need to watch Interior Chinatown, The Penguin, and Lower decks... Too many options.
Watch Vincenzo first. I watched both shows, didn’t finish the penguin. Hands over fist better and worth your time if you like Korean shows. It was how I got into the genre
I loved the series. Film/television adaptations never exceed the books in my opinion and this one didn't either but, on its own, it was just outstanding.
Just gonna screenshot this and text it to my husband, not dropping any hints or anything since Christmas is around the corner…. 🤣🤣 the show was amazing, I can’t wait to read the book
I’ve read and re-read this book so many times over and I usually catch something I’d missed on the earlier reads.
Amazing novel!
Tai-Pan is a good read too but doesn’t have this breadth of characterisation.
I liked his 'King Rat' better. They both had great adaptations. I remember watching 'King Rat' and discovering just how talented George Segal was. I had only seen him in light comedies until then.
I think what I love about it is that Blackthorne doesn't become the White Samurai trope. He *survives* by cunning and audacity, and because Toranaga has a clear use for him (or just the idea of him, in some cases). He makes mistakes and has to constantly adapt, always at someone's mercy.
Like, he is made a hatamoto and gets his swords, but it's clear this is a way for Toranaga to control him/the situation they find themselves in, not a "western samurai becomes better samurai than the natives" thing. It's done so dang well.
I reread this one every year or so; it’s been a favorite of mine since I was in college- it always makes me feel grateful when a treasured book has an impact on someone else. 📖💗
Probably my favorite book. I picked up a paperback of it in a shop in Guam some 20 years ago. It was just small enough to fit in my uniform coat pocket and made excellent reading material for a slow midwatch.
Comments
he knew what's up
Good read
I never wanted it to end.
I agree, an awesome book, time to re-read it
The story is fantastic. The casting, sets and wardrobes from the 80's really kinda suck, so I'm hopeful the show is bad ass. - like the book.
Sadly Clavell was an old school British imperialist.
Must read historical fic
Did you think it was close/close enough?
Agree, though, Shōgun is the apex
Side-note, Korean not Japanese or a book, Vincenzo on Netflix I loved!
In that order.
Amazing novel!
Tai-Pan is a good read too but doesn’t have this breadth of characterisation.
I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine.
It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation.
War is hell.
***************
- William Tecumseh Sherman
Have it, been wondering if I should read it (time is precious).
Maybe I’ll give it a try.