Shogun
by: James Clavell

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John Blackthorne is a Dutch trader sailing along in his boat along with his crew and
decides he wants to find the mysterious Japans he’s heard about. So, on his way many of
his crew die and right before he reaches his goal, the Japans, there’s a storm which
destroys his boat and casts him ashore. On the shore him and his remaining crew are kept
by the Japanese and the story takes place from there.

Story- I’d have to say this is one of the most intriguing stories I’ve really ever read.
Considering that it’s story is kinda historically accurate, besides some of the events and
characters. The plot has many twists and turns as it follows the lives of mainly
Blackthorne and Toranaga, the head of the regents. I love the way that  they have a
hidden love story among the thoughts of warring and Blackthorne’s thoughts of escape.
My only problem with the story is that a few of the things seem a little too unbelievable,
so that might catch ya a bit off guard

Characters- My favorite part of the book had to be the characters. Either it being the
strong “barbarian” Blackthorne. Or maybe the dainty samurai Mariko, I really couldn’t
stop liking the characters. It does dip into points where you’re in the mind of the priests
in Japan, and that’s when you get to loathe them, but it’s still wonderfully done.

Setting: Set in Japan in 1600, the setting is very accurate, and you will learn when you
read it. Besides the geography of Japan itself, you learn about the customs and the ways
of life. Honor is a major factor of Japan, and you begin to understand why they do what
they do. Some may seem ridiculous at first, but after you get farther into the story, you
start to think like them as well.

Overall: I couldn’t put this book down. I read it right through hoping it would last longer,
and luckily the author wrote another book along the same lines. The story, while very
well done, did have a couple of quirks, but so few in a story so vast that it didn’t matter.
The characters are some of the best I’ve ever read in a book and you grow an
understanding to them. The setting surrounds you and there’s not way to tell that the
author isn’t from Japan back in the 1600’s. If you’ve got the time, please pick up this
book, and even if you don’t have the time, read it anyways. It’s a great story and you
shouldn’t leave it out of your library.

Vital Statistics
Title:Shogun
Author:James Clavell
Pages:1210
Genre: Historical Adventure