Book review: Shogun, by James Clavell
Shogun is a popular book based on Japan, written by James Clavell in the 70s. It is a fictional account of the experiences of a British sailor who is marooned in the Japan of the 1600s, the era of shoguns and samurais. The book is based on real events but of course is hugely fictionalised. The setting of the book is like that of an epic and it is a mesmerising account of how the country may have been like when it was closed to the world. It is an awesome read, grand in its setting and ambitious in its scope. Once picked, it is tough to let go of it till you finish it. For me, ever since I visited Japan, I have been quite fascinated by the country. Ive read a few books to understand the culture more - the sound of waves, a tale for the time being, Shibumi, Ikigai and even Pachinko. But I think the book I was looking for was Shogun. It gave a comprehensive view of what the Japanese society was like, and why it may have evolved into what it is now. I am sure the book has its flaws, but it