Welcome to our first discussion on James Clavell's Shogun. We're exciting to present these to you each week. The two of us have a little chat about the reading thus far, and give you a chance to join as well! We'd love to hear you feedback! Was there something we missed? Did you agree or disagree with something we said? Can you enlighten us? Would you like to join in next time? Let us know in the comments!DM: So I thought we might start by just giving our first impressions. As you've read Shogun before, what are the things that struck you again reading this?
AB: One of the things that gets me is how well the author describes both points of view. Right away in the story you realize that our hero is going to be manipulated as a pawn for someone's better interest -- be that Yabu, Toranaga, or someone else.
DM: Yeah, it's amazing how, despite the variety of characters, he is able to slip back and forth among them. I think the fact that he gives the reader these little background vignettes along the way helps. I like that, while on one hand you are kind of thrown into this universe, yet he helps you along by giving these little moments of back story.
AB: Obviously, the first theme of the book is that of foreignness, and how each culture is appalled by the other.
DM: Exactly, the yin-yang of the two cultures (sorry to mix Asian metaphors).
AB: By using the crew of the Erasmus, he sets our hero above the rest -- quicker to understand, and more willing to adapt and use their thinking to his advantage (the crew being that of the "common man"). As for the Japanese side, I love Clavell's translation style; you get a feel for the language and thought process without it being campy.
DM: Absolutely. This is one part of the book that I'm finding surprising easy to deal with. Having been to Japan and being only a little familiar with the language, I find it very easy to pick up the often used phrases and translations.
AB: And it's funny; the book is written in English, but the languages technically spoken in the story are Japanese, Portugese, Spanish, and Latin -- no English.
DM: Wow, I never really though of it that way. Pretty impressive when you put it in that light.
AB: But he adapts his writing style to show the influence of each, especially with Rodriguez and the sailor talk.
DM: I guess the thing that stuck me most was the feeling of seeing only a microcosm of this universe, yet feeling the great vastness of what lies beyond, and having that not feel intimidating as a reader. While we are only a fifth of the way through, and our plot hasn't developed a huge amount, the characters seem so complete -- you really understand them pretty well by this point.
AB: Agreed. He really takes his time opening up the story, and teaches the reader along; already, you've gotten beginning Japanese lessons.
DM: So, speaking of plot, what are your favorite moments thus far? Or not necessarily favorites, but maybe just memorable?
AB: I'd say it's the entire part about when he takes over the ship with Rodriguez, and then baits Yabu into saving him on the reef, because the book opens with action on the high seas, and then rests for awhile for character building. Now you finally have a chance to see our hero in his element and you want him to succeed. So, then separately I suppose, you begin to see the small chess games that will be played out through the book, this one between the Anjin-san and Yabu, about who has more face to gain when Yabu scales the cliff side to save Rodriguez' life, and continuing through when Yabu submits himself to death.
DM: I guess there were two scenes or moments that really stuck me. Again, because the feeling of everything else is so vast, it was these two scenes where the setting is small and the vibe is small and constricting. The first is when Blackthorne and his men have all been captured and they are stuck in that pit/jail/holding cell thing. The whole feeling of it -- it was so visual in a way, like the opening scene in "Reservoir Dogs" or something like that: a whirling dervish of voices, the quick cuts back and forth between so many characters, yet they all felt very individual as you read it. Similar to that is when Blackthorne is in jail and battling for his food. Same kind of vibe -- it reads like an action movie in terms of the quick cuts.
AB: And the relationship he makes with the friar totally reminds me of The Count of Monte Cristo.
DM: Big time -- the old soul that he also desperately needs to get ahead in this world.
AB: So, the character we haven't talked much about is Toranaga, and I really like the backstory Clavell gives on him. It's probably a safe bet that since the entire story of Shogun is loosely based on a true story, some of the legacies are as well, but under their respective names.
DM: Yeah, it's like you said -- these guys are masters of strategy on such a high level. It's amazing to see the wheels turning with these political characters as the story unfolds. Not unlike watching an episode of "The West Wing" or "24" in that respect.
AB: Yeah, I love that as well -- it continues in his other books for sure. Imagine the multi-levels of treachery that go on in Tai-Pan, which is about the merciless Britain-Hong Kong Trade in the 1850s.
DM: Can't wait for that stuff -- I'm sure lots of back-stabbing and intrigue.
AB: I'm also reminded of how much I appreciate the friendship Blackthorne makes with Rodriguez. For the most part, he's all on his own in the story -- even his crew aren't much help. Now we get these small parts in the story where our hero has someone he can actually relate to, not just someone that speaks a similar language, but shares an occupation.
DM: A man like himself.
AB: Even though their countries are at war, they create a friendship and end up saving each others lives.
DM: There's a pervasive feeling of honor, not just among the Japanese characters, but among these explorers and others that have connected here in this strange place. The shared experiences these foreigners have, Blackthorne and Rodriguez particularly, erase those lines of country loyalty.
Ten Big Books is a new blog dedicated to reading ten books a year that are, well, big. Think of ten books that you've avoided over the years for no good reason other than they are, well, BIG. The two of us, your hosts Aaron and Dave, are starting the blog because, as we are reaching our mid-thirties and getting older, there really is no good reason NOT to read these books. So here it is: Ten Big Books. We'd love for you to come along for the ride with us -- help us decide what to read next, follow and/or join in the reading process -- whatever your desired level of interaction, please join us.
