Cloud of Sparrows

Rating:
Summary: Shogun-lite romantic adventure in 1860's Japan
Review: "Cloud of Sparrows" is Takashi Matsuoka's first novel, an ambitious tale set in Japan in the 1860's, as the country is being forcibly opened by "outsiders" and the era of the Shogun and samurai moves toward an end.
The plot involves a trio of American missionaries who go to Japan to set up their church, and the fate of the Tokumichi samurai clan from Akaoka.
The central character is Lord Genji, a minor lord and somewhat of a dilletante of a samurai, more concerned with poetry and lovemaking than swordsmanship. He also happens to have the family curse of seeing visions of the future.
The story of full of plots within plots, characters who are more than they appear to be, and plenty of action. There is subterfuge, counter-plotting, revenge and romance.
In addition to Genji, the other primary characters are Heiko, the most lovely geisha in all Japan, Emily, a beautiful young American perceived as ugly in Japan, and Matthew Stark, a gunfighter seeking revenge on a man who has fled to Japan and become a Buddhist monk. Important sub-characters include Genji's uncle Shigeru, who has horrific visions of a WWII era and overpopulated future Japan. There are also a trio of Genji's captains, Saiki, Kudo and Sohaku, who may or may not be plotting against their lord. Throw in the treacherous Kawakami, the Shogun's chief of secret police, as well as Kuma the Bear, the deadliest ninja in Japan, and Genji has plenty of antagonists.

The story was intriguing, and the plot moved along quickly, with rarely a dull moment. It's a page-turning read. I enjoyed the comparison/contrast of Japan and outside cultures, and Matsuoka went to considerable detail on clothing. Genji is a likable protaganist, who faces a number of challenges, and exhibits some character arc by the end of the story. He makes some unexpected decisions. Emily also grows in the story, and has to make some difficult choices as well.

Matsuoka attempted an third person omniscient point-of-view strategy, getting us into the heads of just about every character in the book. This was sometimes successful in presenting an almost "Rashomon" type review of scenes from different perspectives, but was sometimes confusing as we backtracked to scenes that have already ended. There are also a lot of character histories told in flashback. This is the essential problem with the book. There was more "telling" than "showing" with character emotions and stories, and not enough vivid detail to fully bring me into the character's world.
Also, I felt that the buildup for the relationships was better than the payoff. I was disappointed in the Stark vs. Jimbo showdown.
Finally, the novel is very graphically violent. Especially involving children. So if you are sensitive to that type of thing, beware.

Rating:
Summary: Cloud of Sparrows is a great first novel.
Review: This is a very good read. I was very impressed with the quality of this book. I grew quickly attached to the charcters and found the story to be captivating. Some compared it to Shogun, and I have found the comparission to be a good one. While not as grand as Shogun the story and the charcters are so exceptional that I found myself thinking it may be a better book in many ways. I am highly anticipating the sequel Autumn Bridge which was recently released.

Rating:
Summary: Subarashii !!!
Review: A great read. I couldn't put it down. If you're at all interested in Japanese culture, you will enjoy this book. The description was wonderful and set many very atmospheric scenes. The characters are well developed and the plot develops in an easy to follow and intrigueing way. While it may not be 100% historically accurate, it is after all fiction. If you want total accuracy go read a Japanese history textbook.

Rating:
Summary: Very Intriguing
Review: A very well written novel. I could barely put the book down. This also has to do with the clever way the chapters are laid out, so it doesn't give you the traditional breaking point. I loved how he told the same story from different angles throughout the book. He gave a lot of background information, but he gave it as was necessary. Wonderful incorporation of recognizable historical happenings. Great story line. I can't wait to read Autumn Bridge.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent and Unforgettable
Review: This book really got you in there with the rest of the characters, like you were watching everything happen in front of you. You empathize with all the characters, main and supporting. Like another reviewer said, the Americans, "outsiders", become outsiders to you. While reading, I was like "what are they doing?!" because I was so absorbed, and it made me feel like I was a part of Genji's entourage too :). Some reviewers mentioned that the plot was ridiculous, but it's fiction, which means it's not real :). The plot always seemed straightforward, but once or twice, there were a few twists and turns that were shocking. The author's writing style was great. It flowed like a movie, the way he cuts from scene to scene, but all it does is further the impact of the book. It's real strength is the characters. If only because of them, you have to read it.

Rating:
Summary: Not well-researched at all
Review: The thing I liked about Shogun and Clavell's other works was the detailed research effort that went into each novel. I'm afraid Matsuoka doesn't deliver on the same level. He basically co-opts Clavell's Gai-Jin plot and then tries to overlay a real 17th Century Japanese historical event, the pivotal Battle of Sekigihara, onto the late Tokugawa landscape. I'm afraid it doesn't work for me or anyone else who knows history, since the samurai were almost gone by the time of the late Tokugawa shogunate. The same can be said for Stark, the American gunfighter who comes to Japan to hunt down a ruthless American desperado, hiding out as a buddhist monk no less! Ha! Ha! Excuse me, but I just have to laugh at this improbable nonsense. Add to that, Lord Genji's strange psychic abilities and you've got the makings of a good soap opera, or anime movie, but not an historical action adventure. The other reviewers said it best: James Clavell remains the undisputed master of this genre.