Read Shogun instead. No dragons, but lots of beheadings.
Something that makes me happy: when my conditioning session of sprints ends up turning into a game of tag between me and my dogs. Way more fun for all of us.
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If I did, I didn’t get the money from my Nobel prize
Thought you might’ve - kind of opens ones eyes to how vulnerable we are to how we think, or not…
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If I’m honest, when I read fantasy stuff it’s either Pratchett or really childish kid level fantasy like David Eddings. I’m a big kid like that.
It’s not fantasy.
This is James Clavell’s tour-de-force; an epic saga of one Pilot-Major John Blackthorne, and his integration into the struggles and strife of feudal Japan. Both entertaining and incisive, SHOGUN is a stunningly dramatic re-creation of a very different world.
It’s the best book ever. Reviews:
“Superbly crafted…grips the reader like a riptide…gets the juices flowing!”— Washington Star
“Exciting, totally absorbing…be prepared for late nights, meals unlasting, buisness unattended…”— Philadelphia Inquirer
“Adventure and action, the suspense of danger, shocking, touching human relationships…a climactic human story.” — Los Angeles Times
“A tale surging with action, intrigue and love…a huge cast…vast and dramatic …stunning…savage…beautiful…an extraordinary performance.”
– Publishers Weekly“I can’t remember when a novel has seized my mind like this one…It’s not only something you read–you live it.” – New York Times Book Review
All of which I agree with. I found it at a drug halfway house place at 16, where I was placed briefly, and it completely transported me. People were DTing around me and I was just completely oblivious. I’ve read it several times now, and it never stops being awesome. Men are more interested in it than women - I actually don’t know any other women who’ve read it, but it’s come up a couple of times on this board with positive response.
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@EmilyQ You do know this was a mini series in the 80’s right? My mother and I watched it from start to finish.
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I did know that, yes, but who would watch a tv show when they could read the book??
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Agreed. But since you are a young whippersnapper, you may not have known of the TV show. It was pretty good, come to think of it. I’m sure the book is better. I’ve been looking for a new read. I might have to look for it.
Oh, probably about 98% of the US population regardless of literacy level
No, I’m old! You should definitely read the book.
You’re bringing me down. Way down.
Why … just look at it like you’re now morally and intellectually superior to 98% of the US population. I love me a dose of moral and intellectual superiority
In the past 1-1.5 years, I have gotten married, got a puppy, bought a house, obtained my Ph.D., and started working as a Research Fellow at one of the best Hospitals in the world. For the first time in my life I am truly contented and enjoying where my life is.
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Wow! You really have your life together!
One of my favoritest, the bestest, books of all time.
I love, loved, Clavell’s twist on the fallacy of prophecy.
My recollection is I went on a Clavell binge post Shogun.
I have never watched the TV series.
Also, yes, his books were very “male centric”, so very unusual that you loved it so much. Perhaps for the love story aspect? But hopefully, an unusual affinity for beheadings…
I appreciate that the dog makes no.2 on this list
Well, “puppy snuggle time” with the wife at the end of the day is one of my favorite things.
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I get my feelings of moral and intellectual superiority arguing with weirdos on TN, lol.
I do love a good love story, but in the case of Shogun it was the adventure and character diversity that I loved best, along with the language and history. The Anjin-san and Torenaga were both role models. And frankly, the love/sex pieces and openness with body things were fascinating to the young me.
I’ve always read “boy” books, I’m egalitarian in that regard (i.e. a cockroach). I mean, look where we are - where I am - now.
And a traitor sawed in half with a bamboo saw, slowly with villagers taking their turns.
I have done a lot a business in Japan and internalized the political and honorable ways and lessons from the book, Its either uncannily accurate, or, because the Japanese love the book so much they internalized the reasoning and it became self-fulfilling. It’s served me well.
I’ve even used the “I am from an old people and pure bred” bit to mitigate their racism (it worked).
It’s served me well in life, I feel. Again, they served as role models and teachers for me. As did the thousands of other beloved characters found in other books.
I read all of his books. None of them came close to meeting the expectation Shogun set, for me at least.
If this were the flame free confession thread, I would admit to having read all of the Little House on the Prairie books -avidly…
I blame this as the reason why real life people disappoint me so much LOL.
Also, as the unusual Asian immigrant with greater verbal skills vs. math skills, I ascribe it to the thousands of hours I spent reading books, and not doin’ my science & math.
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