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deschatjes's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting book pitched at middle school level about John Mung (Manjiro) the first Japanese person to sail to America, and who made important contributions to the opening up of Japan.
Great as a historical novel about a time when whales were thought to be so plenty that they'd never run out, most of the book takes place on the whaling vessel that rescued him and his companions. Quite a bit on the mutual distrust, animosity and fear of both Japanese for Westerners and vice versa. The book is a bit "front loaded" so a lot about the stranding on an island, the voyage to America and too little about his life back in Japan and his contribution to geo-politics. Probably a conscious choice given the fact that it's geared at younger readers who would identify more with him as a boy.
Great as a historical novel about a time when whales were thought to be so plenty that they'd never run out, most of the book takes place on the whaling vessel that rescued him and his companions. Quite a bit on the mutual distrust, animosity and fear of both Japanese for Westerners and vice versa. The book is a bit "front loaded" so a lot about the stranding on an island, the voyage to America and too little about his life back in Japan and his contribution to geo-politics. Probably a conscious choice given the fact that it's geared at younger readers who would identify more with him as a boy.
mommy_mabel's review against another edition
4.0
Neat little novel about Nakahama Manjiro who started as a fisherman and became a samurai (which was an impossible class jump in Japan at the time). He is thought to be the first Japanese person to step on the American mainland.
waxwings's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
One of my favourites, I've returned to it several times
headingnorth's review against another edition
4.0
Great story! I'd be interested to learn more about Manjiro's life after he returned from Japan. It was summed up in the epilogue, but it sounds like a really interesting story in itself.
annashiv's review against another edition
5.0
How did I not know about this? How was I not taught this in school? It totally should be. I had no idea, and thank you Margi Preus for revealing to me the amazing history of Manjiro and for displaying it in an approachable, fun, and entertaining way. I loved everything about it.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
This young adult novel is marvelous work of historical fiction based on a real person. Manjiro was only 14 when he left his small village intent on getting food for his family. Setting out with some local fishermen they were caught in a storm and wound up on a deserted island. Ultimately rescued by an American whaling ship, Manjiro became the captain's favorite, due to his enthusiasm and willingness to learn, and was renamed John Mung.
I really liked this book and how Preus explores prejudice and intolerance, as well as the gifts of curiosity, eagerness to learn and being open to new experiences. The Japanese empire was a closed society for over 200 years, not allowing any foreigners on its soil, and even going so far as to ban any Japanese who had left Japan from returning, lest they were “contaminated” by foreign thought, mores, practices and culture. Imagine the terror the fishermen feel on discovering that their rescuers are “blue-eyed devils!”
Of course, that prejudice goes both ways. Some of the sailors aboard the ship are equally wary of the Japanese “savages.” They’ve heard their own horror stories and believe the Japanese would kill and eat them.
The novel details Manjiro’s adventures which took him to America, on several sea voyages, and ultimately back to his native Japan where he helped usher in a new era of tolerance towards foreigners and witnessed the end of Japan's 250-year policy of isolation. Several of Mung's drawings depicting whaling, and life in America and Japan in the mid-19th century are included.
I really liked this book and how Preus explores prejudice and intolerance, as well as the gifts of curiosity, eagerness to learn and being open to new experiences. The Japanese empire was a closed society for over 200 years, not allowing any foreigners on its soil, and even going so far as to ban any Japanese who had left Japan from returning, lest they were “contaminated” by foreign thought, mores, practices and culture. Imagine the terror the fishermen feel on discovering that their rescuers are “blue-eyed devils!”
Of course, that prejudice goes both ways. Some of the sailors aboard the ship are equally wary of the Japanese “savages.” They’ve heard their own horror stories and believe the Japanese would kill and eat them.
The novel details Manjiro’s adventures which took him to America, on several sea voyages, and ultimately back to his native Japan where he helped usher in a new era of tolerance towards foreigners and witnessed the end of Japan's 250-year policy of isolation. Several of Mung's drawings depicting whaling, and life in America and Japan in the mid-19th century are included.
gmamartha's review against another edition
3.0
Historical fiction. Interesting story. again, historical fiction is the way to go to learn about the past.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful story of a boy caught between two worlds, both of which would like to remain apart. The settings are really well-described, without being too expository, the characters rich, and the plot engaging.
breakfastgrey's review against another edition
3.0
It was all right. The writing style was solid and the dual views of dueling cultures was good, but it wasn’t the most gripping book I’ve read this year. Honestly, the epilogue sounded like the more interesting read. (Student book club)