Guide to Shogun by James Clavell plus my thoughts on the TV adaptations of this great book!

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Culture, politics and religion clash in this epic page-turner! I review of one of my all-time favourite books, the action-packed, intrigue-filled historical fiction novel Shogun by James Clavell. Published in 1975, this takes us on a journey through 17th century Japan alongside Pilot John Blackthorne, the first Englishman to successfully navigate his ship to reach Japan. I also discuss my thoughts on the 1980 Shogun TV mini-series starring Richard Chamberlain, as well as my hopes for the new FX Shogun TV adaptation premiering on Disney+ on the 27th of February 2024.
📺 USEFUL VIDEOS:
Shogun TV Show (1980): • Shogun Trailer 1980
Shogun TV Show (2024): • Shōgun | Official Trai...
Excellent but Spoiler-filled review by a ‪@TheShogunate‬ Samurai historian: • I Finally Read Shogun ...
Review by my lovely friend ‪@GemofBooks‬ who recently read this with me: • Is Shogun Worth The Re...
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Опубликовано:

7 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 31

@ALwinDigital 6 месяцев назад

There are only two fight scenes for Mariko in the book, but even then, she is not shown to be fighting with weapons on equal terms with enemy soldiers. Therefore, her "bad-ass"ness is not like how they are trying to portray her in the 2024 adaptation. First scene: Toranaga's escape from Osaka castle. She fights defensively when needed, but she is not actively engaging with the enemy soldiers like warrior vs warrior in battle. She picked up a flare or a torch and shoved it in the face of one enemy attacking them, then she picked up a sword, but she's not engaging any enemies. Then on the boat she fought with one of the grays but again she was outmatched and if Blackthorne hadn't thrown a knife at her attacker she would've lost. Second scene (not included in the 1980 version, this segment of their attempt to leave was not filmed): Her attempt to leave Osaka with Toranaga's family members. She picks up a sword of a dead samurai and tries to fight Ishido's grays who are preventing their departure. However the grays keep their distance instead of allowing her to get close in order to exhaust her. Her mention of female samurai is not included because again, this was a conversation she had with Blackthorne which also involved talking about how her mother cut off her own hair to get some money for some dinner party. Mariko is of the samurai caste, however she is not a kickass warrior. James Clavell was involved with the production of the 1980 version. Her badassness is how she confronted Ishido at Osaka castle. Her cunning and intelligence are her strong points, not her combat abilities.

@spreadbookjoy 6 месяцев назад

Oh I definitely agree with you on all of this - my love of her as a character is more about her intelligence and I think I overstated the physical side in this video but just something I thought was missing from the 1980 production. I’m finding the portrayal of her in the recent adaptation less convincing than the 1980 one, particularly her relationship with Blackthorne. Thanks for commenting!

@binglamb2176 7 месяцев назад

Just started it this morning! I am going to try to get most of it read before the new miniseries is released in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the overview.

@spreadbookjoy 7 месяцев назад

I hope you enjoy it! I’m really excited for the new series!

@LadyJaneBooks 7 месяцев назад

I actually had not heard of this book before! Really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on it.

@spreadbookjoy 7 месяцев назад

Thank you! It’s a great book!

@-ParisTexas- 7 месяцев назад

I finished it in December and I loved it. It was intimidating at first, because of the size, but when I got into it I didn't want it to end. The descriptions of Japan were fascinating. I loved the characters, the intrigue and also I loved the romance. I even loved the ending, and that is something I think let's a lot of books down. I am glad I did pick it up and I'm looking forward to seeing the mini series.

@spreadbookjoy 7 месяцев назад

I'm so glad you enjoyed it - I always feel the sad when I get to the end of it! Cannot wait for the new adaptation!

@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk 7 месяцев назад

Yes, love that book. I think I've read it four times now. I also like Noble house and Tai-Pan too. His first book, King Rat was based on his experience as a Japanese prisoner of war and is a fantastic book and well worth a read. Best wishes. Great choice.

@spreadbookjoy 7 месяцев назад

Thank you! I read Tai-Pan but not the others. I may pick them up at some point!

@melissahouse1296 7 месяцев назад

Fantastic review Jax you've made me want to give it a go despite having watched (as i mentioned) with my dad (a voracious reader of which this was an all time fave) when i was a kid. Lord knows when- super slow reader with gargantuan physical tbr 😆🙅‍♀. Four times wow this is your year of mammoth re reads!🧐💕😊

@spreadbookjoy 7 месяцев назад

Well, four times but over nearly three decades! 😂It’s a brilliant book and in no way feels like 1200 pages. You should definitely give it a go one day! 🤍

@colinthompson3111 7 месяцев назад

I enjoyed the complete Asian saga. Excellent video.

@spreadbookjoy 7 месяцев назад

Thank you so much!

@wellsbengston4132 7 месяцев назад

Reviews coming out indicate that FX Shogun has far more Japanese perspective than the 1980 series and the trailers suggest Mariko will be her bad-ass book version. I can't wait! Just 3 more days!

@spreadbookjoy 7 месяцев назад

That is great to hear! The trailer and the posters give me hope that this is the case as well! Getting very excited now! 🙌

@Bookishtravels1 7 месяцев назад

This is a book that i keep meaning to tackle, i’m scared it’s so big!

@spreadbookjoy 7 месяцев назад

Once you start it, you won't want to put it down! The audiobook is also very good!

@Bookishtravels1 7 месяцев назад

@@spreadbookjoy I have always been fascinated with The Samurai, so this really is a must read! Will try the audio thanks 🤩

@spreadbookjoy 7 месяцев назад

@@Bookishtravels1 can’t wait to hear what you think!

@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures 7 месяцев назад

Don't be scared! It's big, but the plot is quite easy to follow and all the characters are pretty memorable, so at no point are you wondering if you missed something back on page 264 that might be important. It moves at a fair clip, too!

@Bookishtravels1 7 месяцев назад

@@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures Thank you, that is very helpful, thank you Peter:)

@DavidBrown-lm2pc 5 месяцев назад

Series failed to adequately develop Blackthornes relationship s wth Toranago and Marino.

@spreadbookjoy 5 месяцев назад

If you are talking about the new series, I completely agree!

@DavidBrown-lm2pc 5 месяцев назад

@@spreadbookjoy Yep.

@Tom-wm6jr 6 месяцев назад

The show is butchering just about everything good in the book

@spreadbookjoy 6 месяцев назад

It does seem to have gone quite a bit off book!

@aceflashheart 6 месяцев назад

The show is good but... the book was better q_q. Why make so many unnecessary changes?

@ALwinDigital 6 месяцев назад

cash grab. They needed to dumb down the show with more violence for modern audiences who grew up with comic book literature.

@spreadbookjoy 6 месяцев назад

I’ve been enjoying a lot of the show but definitely not perfect. The slow burn of Mariko and Blackthorne’s relationship has not come across at all and I just don’t buy into it in the new show. At least one of the changes seems to have been done to make a scene which had a lot of political tension in the book - the scene where Toranaga negotiates leaving Osaka harbour - much more action oriented. May have to put my thoughts into a video once it is finished but not sure yet.

@ryan.coogler 5 месяцев назад

@@spreadbookjoy please do. I read the book, but as always, I missed many or forget many of the book's details. Therefore when watching the show, I keep thinking, wait is that different?(Very frustrating!)