Let’s Discuss SHOGUN 

I am about 100 pages into the novel. I did not read it before when it came out and was a hit because I favored literary type books (yes, I am a bit snobbish being a lit major). I now looking through RU-vid searching for commentaries on the book and reviews of other Clavel books because I am so impressed with what I have read so far of Shogun. The first 100 pages are excellent.

Excellent review! I’ve tried and failed to read Shogun a couple of times over the years but I think I’m going to have to give it a go again soon. I think your point about it all being filtered through Clavell’s experiences as a POW is very true and not something that had occurred to me before. Hope you take that sword into school and wow the kids with it 😂

I can totally relate to what you described as ‘epilogue’ . I had the same feeling, after the second Ninja attack the story kinda deflates. Seppucu must have been quite a thing in those days. I did some research over that time period and a lot of famous samurai died at young age. So perhaps? I do recommend this book. I seen the series in the 80 th and I read the book twice. There so much going on in there. There are many layers in this story.

Excellent review! I actually never really thought too much about the ninja's but now that you point it out, I think you're right Lol! I've personally read this book actually a few times though and I have to say I LOVE it and I recommend it everyone if they are not daunted by it's girth Lol! Just the quality of complete immersion and the plots within plots and how Clavell masterfully lets you into the intimate thoughts of characters is just awesome! I do completely agree with you about the ending though! I guess the good thing about that is that we just didn't want it to end!! Last comment: I have to say, I do get you about the massive amount of seppuku's but in truth, there was a whole lot of that going on especially during Nobunaga's and Hideyoshi's time although it probably wasn't too often as "voluntary" as the book may suggest. For me personally, one part that really hits me the most as so incredibly intimate in it's entirety, is the part where Yabu, Mariko, Omi, Blackthorn and Jozen are having tea discussing strategy but then leads up to Blackthorns suicide attempt. Just the way that whole piece draws you in like you're sitting in the room with them and witnessing the events is just amazing to me! I can't Wait to see this new tv series! :)

Solid review man I just finished it and definitely was an instant favorite for me. Was also surprised/slightly disappointed we didn't get the details of you know what. Still, some scenes like when she was trying to fight her way out of the castle was one of the best things I ever read lol. I pictured Toranaga as Shang Tsung and Blackthorne as Jamie Lannister 😂👍

I felt the same way about the ending. The first half is very good, the second half is also good but is slower. I really enjoyed this story though, and i would like to read more of the asian saga and clavell's other books.

What do you think of the FX/Hulu show? It's still coming out. Hulu has an english dub, but it's not the default. There's still Japanese if the languages are mixed. There's a new edition of the paperback/ebook/audiobook that's split into two parts.

I would suggest making a separate video with spoiler alert in the title. Having read it - I was looking for some thoughts and explanations of some of the plot points. I still enjoyed the review. I agree about the climax. I so wanted the tale of Blackthorne taking the black ship and Crimson Sky!

Excellent spoiler free review. I couldn't agree more about the ending! After *that* climax, which you don't know is the climax while reading it, I was certainly expecting the big final battle, you know? And then it ends. It was bittersweet. But yes, I absolutely enjoyed Shogun, the characters are excellent and I would recommend it to everyone.

I have the same feeling about the final, i was so upset that the confrontation never happened...i was so exicted and also to see who will betray Ishido and how exactly Toranaga wins and became Shogun

I wish the blackstone version you have was still available. I cannot find that version anywhere. If anyone would like to sell it, I will most definately purchase it off of you!

Long time reader of the book. I think the reason being why the ending disappointed you is because of Clavell had based it on Japanese history with Ieyasu Tokugawa and Ishida Mitsunari's rivalry and the lead up to The Battle of Sekigahara which was won by Tokugawa. Clavell probably felt he didn't need to elaborate or at least add the battle. The main plot (apart from Blackthorne's story) is Toranaga's rise to power and being seen as a threat as well as his eventually friendship with Blackthorne whose knowledge of the outside world was feared by both the Japanese and Portuguese because he knew too much at least that's how I viewed. It's still a great book and I sometimes go back to it.

Great review. Love the book. I dint think the ninjas were bad for the story. I think they fit in fine. They are ninjas they are suppose to be hidden and not appear everywhere. When I was getting to the end I knew they were not going to neatly wrap up the book. And I just wished it kept going and going. It’s a very long book and I just wished it were even longer. I think it’s kinda of the point that it just ends, to give a sense that even when the main conflict ends, the story will continue, with new people. It took me a while but I think it was a great ending.

Glad you decided to join us Vin and I am happy you enjoyed the book. Hope you will have time to join the live discussion too :)

I agree with your point on the books ending. Maybe i was expecting another ending, but still and amazing read. Thanks for the video.

With the remake/ limited series coming on Hulu this month, I've been searching for a reasonably priced copy. My Half Price Books didn't have any copies. I'll probably have to break down and buy a full price version at some point, but I'll keep checking those discount sellars for a bit. I remember watching the original mini series with my father years ago...

The characters were so well rounded. Blackthorne is a boss. I was fascinated with the scene where he meets his crew again and is disgusted with them. Just acknowledging how far he has come. Also, Yabu is up there with some of the most vile villains. Maybe not as bad as The Judge (Blood Meridian) but does some grotesque things. The torture at the start and selfish decisions. Don't want to spoil his ending though.

Great review Vin! Love the sword. I'm looking forward to the live discussion :)

Haven't read the book in years planning to revisit. The Hulu series has been great so far.

Read Shogun 3 times. A great blockbuster book. I also liked Tai-Pan and Noble House. Fantastic epic books. His semi-autobiographical book, King Rat is a bit different but excellent. It is about his experience of a prisoner of war. Best wishes to you.

Shogun is the perfect introduction to Taiko by Yoshikawa Eiji.

It took me a couple of months to read. It was my first historical fiction in a long time. 5/5 stars for me. I didn't expect to get into these characters as I did. Mariko was by far my favorite.

Its a great novel! I have read it 10 times until now. What can i say, its a guilty pleasure. 😁

Vin, loved the review. An all-time favorite book. A second review where you discuss the details would be fun. On another note, I have been looking for that particular book but cannot find it anywhere… any ideas? Thanks, Bill

I have the book and I am only in the second chapter, and I am so happy to have a copy because I watched it on TV when I was a kid and I never forgot it.

I'm reading the novel now. Unfortunately, I speak Japanese, and Clavell didn't know a lick of the language. The Japanese (written in Latin letters) is somewhere between gibberish and beginner. If you know no Japanese at all, you won't notice this, and the book will be probably more enjoyable for you. If you pronounce the title /shohguhn/ or /show gun/ instead of /shohgoon/, you are probably the target audience. Other than these annoyances, the story and characters are pretty good.

Excellent review Vin. Spot on.. The characters and political maneuvers were fascinating. It has dated for sure and some Wikipedia checks helped me identify the pinch of salt stuff, as I know nothing about Japanese feudalism. I grew increasingly aware that Clavell was working from the information he had at the time, along with cultural ideas and personal history, it was all woven into the story. I found myself wondering about an editor towards the end, was there one?

Good stuff. Nice review without spoiling. Im currently reading the book wanted a spoiler free opinion of it. Founf this video and channel 👍

Where did you get that amazing edition of the book?

Great video! what edition is that? it looks really good.

Excellent review. I liked it but didnt love it. I had many of the same eye rolls and misgivings that you did. I felt the book was written with commercial intent (with an eye to a mini series perhaps? 😏) hence I think all the far fetched elements, like ninjas, make for great tv but tended to make me cringe. I didnt like the ending and felt the book could or should have been about 300 pages less.

i have that exact book

I read this novel in March and this review was excellent. It has some well thought out and interesting views which were enlightening in many ways. For me the first half of the novel was fascinating and entertaining. The second lost some pace and the main character rather faded as you say. Two striking things for me were the main character's reaction to his lovers fate compared to his reaction to his ships fate. I could not believe he missed that so badly. Also I already whined about the build up to the battle whose result was mentioned and summed up in two sentences at the final paragraph. A major disappointment for me. Great review, an A- just to keep you striving.

**Spoilers** Nobody going to talk about the way that book ended? Like we spent 1,100 pages building up to a BIIIIIIIIIIG battle, and Mr. Clavell just YOINKS that out from under us leaving us with nothing at the end...I for one would not rate this book highly over that.

WEEBS! Just kidding, it's a brilliant book, read it!

Yeah, exactly my thoughts on this book. I like it, but I don't love it.

Is this a one book read or there are more books for this story ?

Is this both books in one? That is a pretty copy!

Great review. But I’ll be honest…. I have to think really long and hard before picking up a book this long.

Is this a stand alone book or apart of a series?

Try Eiji Yoshikawa -Musashi. Much much better ☝️

One of my favorite books but also one of the only books I've ever read and thought the author loved the subject matter way too much lol. You can see and feel how eager he was to tell us all the things about Japan he found fascinating. I didn't mind it but damn near a 1/5 of the book is 'and check this out, they do this!' most of it doesn't point back into the plot. But he really takes you into that world, and the interactions are great. You also get the sense that the characters are well fleshed out like you mentioned.

Beware Story Halting 🥷 Ninjas! Excellent review. I had many of the same thoughts. I still think it might be my favorite read of the year so far. I wasn’t as bothered by the ending.