Lian Hearn

This is the story of the birth of modern Japan, told by Tsuru, a young woman who breaks every stereotype of the Japanese lady. We meet her on the day of her sister s wedding, and soon realise that she will not accept the same domestic role that her sister is about to take on. Instead, Tsuru is ready to embrace the new world, defend her beliefs, look for love, and follow her career as a doctor working alongside her husband on the battlefields.In the mid 1860s Japan was in the grip of a revolution almost as tumultuous as the French Revolution 100 years earlier, yet we in the West know very little about it. This book lets readers feel they are there among the revolutionaries, guided by the engaging character of Tsuru. By the end of the first chapter readers will feel they know her, and want to fight with her as she battles against the conventions of the day and falls into a forbidden love.

Blossoms and Shadows

Sarah Escorsa

I was quite disappointed by the last instalment in Hearn's Tales of the Otori series so I wasn't really enthused by the idea of reading this book. I finally decided to give it a go and although it wasn't nearly as entertaining as the Otori books it turned out to be an okay read.

What I found most interesting was the depiction of 19th century Japan and particularly the turbulent times of the 1850s and 1860s, which I knew nothing about. I also liked the strong female character and her struggle in a male-dominated society. That said, I think one of the main problems of the book is that there are too many characters. So many of them in fact that I was confused by all the characters and their various Japanese names and nicknames. So much so that I eventually gave up trying to remember who was each character and what was his/her role in the book. I also felt that the short chapters about the historical characters in the story were unnecessary and didn't add anything to the main plot.

I can't say I'd recommend reading this book but I do recommend reading the Tales of the Otori which is an excellent series set in a fictional feudal Japan.

Blossoms and Shadows

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