April 2008

Given the title, I really should have known what to expect. I was led to believe that this book was a decent urban fantasy with a few steamy sex scenes thrown in for good measure. After reading it, I think somebody was leading me up the garden path. I haven’t read the urban fantasy genre too extensively, but I do know that quality writing is to be found within it (Jim Butcher’s Dresden series for example).

This book was about as far from quality writing as you can get. It basically consists of the following - a fallen Greek god being turned into a sex slave for the pleasure of any woman who should summon him after happening to stumble upon the pages of the book he’s bound to for all eternity. The novels main character performing said summoning and then spending the rest of the book trying to escape having sex with him (when I say sex, I mean penetration, there’s oodles of foreplay. Yeah, she’s really trying hard here.) and doing her best not to fall in love. She’s been hurt badly before (obviously), and does her very very best (yeah yeah) to fight all of these sexual urges that we’re constantly reminded of. Yet in the end she’s determined to free him from his prison because she can’t live without him.

I would say there was a plot apart from the whole sex thing, but there isn’t really. At least not one of any substance. Oh sure, a few Greek gods and goddesses appear to exchange harsh words now and again, and there’s a teeny tiny bit of ancient Greek ‘history’ (I use that term very loosely), but apart from that it’s pretty much all foreplay and then finally full blown sex. Think Mills & Boon with a few Greek gods thrown in for good measure.

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against erotica. What I object to is badly written and very cheesy erotica parading under the guise of urban fantasy. Seriously, I wonder how these things manage to get published!

I’ve been told the series gets better, and that this first book isn’t part of the Dark Hunter series proper but that it introduces some of the main characters. Yeah, there’s more of them. I have to say I’m very sceptical, this was so appallingly bad I can’t imagine a writer who has produced this improving that much. I do however have the first book in the Dark Hunter series, which I bought at the same time as this one. I may read it at some point, maybe if I’m the mood for a good laugh!

Most books of over a thousand pages generally have a lot of boring ‘filler’ sequences. Not this one - the action is non-stop.

Skimming on neither politics or culture, the sheer breadth of this novel is breathtaking and forms a classic epic that everyone should read at least once in their lives. Clavell writes with an enormous amount of skill, his tale woven cleverly with wit, grace and respect throughout.

Japanese history and culture is depicted through the eyes of the main character, John Blackthorne, an English Pilot in the 17th century who is thrust into the foreign climate of feudal Japan. His path leads him to ultimately adopt the Japanese lifestyle as preferable to his own and we are led through this journey with him step by step, via both tragedy and triumph, each stage an absolute joy to read.

Clavell gives depth and colour to an amazing amount of characters, portraying them so vividly that, to coin a phrase, you’re drawn right into the pages with them. Many people know Shogun from the 1970’s TV series and whilst an outstanding series for its time, the novel should not be measured against this. It just can’t compare, especially with regards to characterisation. The TV series doesn’t reach anywhere near the same depth.

Nowhere is this shown more vividly than in the relationship between Blackthorne and Toranaga (Toranaga being an extremely powerful Japanese warlord). Without giving too much away, you couldn’t find two more contrasting personalities, yet Clavell manages to draw them together in a very believable and touching way. The exchange between the two begins with outright hostility, then a realisation of mutual benefit. Toranaga eventually awards Blackthorne the title of Samurai along with all the prestige that status gives, and by the end of the book the two are on an almost level plateau, at least spiritually if not politically. Such contrasts aren’t uncommon amongst the pages of this book, but this is certainly the most memorable.

And then of course we have the romance between Blackthorne and Mariko. I won’t spoil it for those who have yet to read Shogun, but suffice to say that it’s not your usual hearts and flowers affair. It goes much deeper than that and their relationship is intertwined with the political backdrop. This isn’t romance in the trashy novel sense, it’s a story of real and raw love, and of personal sacrifice.

You would think that being a novel primarily concerning war and politics, there’d be little room for comedy. You would however be very wrong. There are numerous scenes that are absolutely hilarious, the seriousness of the overall plot serving only to highlight the comedy in those moments. For example, toward the beginning there is a scene where Blackthorne is being forced to take a bath, which he is very indignant about, 17th century seafaring folk not being accustomed to either cleanliness or being naked in front of others. The women of the household are giving him said bath and can’t help being amazed at his ’size’. Of course he thinks that he’s being laughed at when this is most definitely not the case. I’m probably not describing the scene too well, but it certainly made me chuckle!

I can safely say this is one of the best books I’ve ever read (and I’ve read quite a few). I’m sure I’ll read this book again and again. Whatever you look for in a book, be it war, romance, history, religion, tragedy, comedy or culture, you will find each and every one of those things and more besides within the pages of Shogun. It is deserving of a much more in-depth review, but I hope I’ve managed to get across at least some of the greatness of this epic and the obvious talent of its writer.

Karma, neh?

Firstly, thanks for dropping by, and if you stay for more than a few seconds, thanks for reading!

I’ve wanted to put together a book blog for some time now, if only to remind myself of the books that I’ve read. I’ve been an avid reader all of my life and there are many books that I know I’ve read but can barely remember a thing about. My initial idea was to keep a personal journal and just jot down notes on everything I read, but then I thought I may as well turn it into a kind of book review blog. I’m writing about them anyway, so why not?

Having said that, although I have worked my way through a good chunk of a degree in English Literature that was a long time ago and my writing skills are extremely rusty. With that in mind, please don’t expect anything of a scholarly nature as you may be severely disappointed. If you’re content with personal opinions however, stick around for the ride!

There may be some reviews from one or two other people in the future as well. That would probably be a good idea, as I can’t guarantee the frequency of my posts. If you’re interested in contributing, hold tight, I’ll be putting up a page shortly especially for you. I have a few other things to finalise on the blog, but once that’s done I’ll be inviting contributions.

My first review will be posted very soon, go easy on me, and no tomato throwing please. :)