Tobi Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Hi everyone, About 2 months ago I finished Shogun by James Clavell and I loved it. Since then I have been in search for similiar books. I don´t really care if it´s based on real events, but there should be this most interesting and exotic medieval Japanese culture of harmony, perfectionism and "not saying what you mean" (don´t know how else to describe it ) in it. Books i´ve already read or don´t want to read: The Otori Series, read it around 7 years ago, when I was a teenager. Is it worth a re-read? Memoirs of a Geisha, not interested, sounds too much like a Romance to me. Stormdancer, it was ok, but I expected more from it. Thank you for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueC Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 This might not be exactly what you're after but, The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu and The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon were both written in Japan in the 11th century. I've read them both in English translation (from the library, so I guess they should be easy to find) and really enjoyed them both - they'll definitely give you an insight into the culture, from a reliable source! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Have you tried James Clavell's other novels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobi Posted July 4, 2013 Author Share Posted July 4, 2013 This might not be exactly what you're after but, The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu and The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon were both written in Japan in the 11th century. I've read them both in English translation (from the library, so I guess they should be easy to find) and really enjoyed them both - they'll definitely give you an insight into the culture, from a reliable source! Both look interesting, but I don´t think I have the endurance to read 1000+ pages of "Romance". Maybe I give The Pillow Book a try. Nevertheless thanks for your recommendations Have you tried James Clavell's other novels? No, I haven´t, but from what I´ve read about them, I get the impression, that they are not as nearly as good as Shogun. Would you recommend reading them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobi Posted July 11, 2013 Author Share Posted July 11, 2013 So, as a conclusion to the non-existence of further suggestions I can say that this is a genre nobody except me takes any interest in? Is there simply a lack of good books? Or are the good books not known by western people? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 I'd be maybe interested in it, but I've never read any book about it so I can't really help you, sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobi Posted July 12, 2013 Author Share Posted July 12, 2013 You don't have to apologise, I was simply surprised that nobody had further ideas / recommendations. It isn't anybody's fault Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueK Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 Both look interesting, but I don´t think I have the endurance to read 1000+ pages of "Romance". Maybe I give The Pillow Book a try. Nevertheless thanks for your recommendations No, I haven´t, but from what I´ve read about them, I get the impression, that they are not as nearly as good as Shogun. Would you recommend reading them? I would definitely recommend Tai Pan, great story telling revolving around Hong Kong and the Opium wars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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