Shogun by James Clavell

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?