Those of you who read the book, is it worth it? I have it on my 'to read' pile but life is just to short to read everything i'd like.
I like smart and historicaly accurate readings. Is the book dated regarding current knowledge of the period's history and customs? is it enjoyable to read?
Thanks for your imput
Its the best book ive ever read. By far. I got the book two or three years ago and have read it eight or nine times since. If you read it and enjoy it, try Tai-Pan by the same author.
shareI read it in high school and still recall wishing it was longer. That's saying a lot for a 1300 page novel.
I do remember being slightly bored with the first 200 pages...but after that I couldn't put the book down. Highly recommend it.
I am a longtime fan of the Flashman books by George MacDonald Fraser. I also loved Herman Wouk's The Winds of War and War and Remembrance. Perhaps knowing that will help you decide if you agree with my taste in historical fiction. I also like Michener, but Shogun reads much faster than anything I've read by him.
[deleted]
Thanks everyone for your imput. I think I will give it a try.
shareLucky you!
You get to read it for the first time!
For some odd reason, you'll come back and read Shogun in 3yrs, another 5yrs and so on.
Enjoy
GGC's
Funny how that works out! I thought I was the only one...
The book is well worth the read. It slows after about the first quarter for a short period and then takes off again.
Well it was a huge bestseller and they made a huge miniseries out of it so I'd say it was probably pretty good.
shareIt is a brilliant book. While not Historically accurate, considering it is a work of fiction, there are a suprising amount of parallels to recorded history.
If you have seen the miniseries then I think the book is a must as even though it is different, it kinda explains things more.
how different is the miniseries ? i mean i read the book twice, awesome, but now I'm bout to watch the series...
shareIt is my favorite book. I try to reread it once a year. The first time I read it was when I was fourteen and it changed the way I perceived the world.
I would recommend you move it to the top of your 'to read pile'. Also, something that might sound strange, I would recommend that you skip the introduction the first time you read it.
As someone else says it takes a while to suck you into the world. I think this is because Clavell is such a masterful storyteller that he creates a 3d world that you really can experience the story in.
It is the greatest of the 'Asian Saga'. I enjoyed Tai-pan as well. For another Author Tai-pan would have been a masterpiece but for Clavell nothing shines brighter from the bookshelf than Shogun. Truly a work of art.
"King Rat" was another great Clavell novel- the movie version was disappointing to me.
shareLife should never be short to read everything you like.
Clavell's entire Asian series is a must-read for any book lover. Shogun, Tai-Pan, Gai-jin, Kingrat, Noble House, etc