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nschwenkbeck's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written book about a time and place I knew little about. The book is lengthy so it requires a time commitment, but well worth it. I would have given in 4 1/2 stars if I could!
nanvazq's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book of Mitchell's I've read, and it was nothing like Black Swan Green, other than both being well-written. In fact, I wouldn't normally have picked this kind of book to read, since I'm not big on sweeping historical sagas, but I thought Mitchell would keep it interesting, and he did. My only complaints were that at times this felt like a high school reading-list classic and the plot about the monastery seemed a little far-fetched at times. All of the different main characters were convincing, but eventually I felt less connected to the story because of moving among the different points of view.
vickiseglin's review against another edition
4.0
I actually listened to this and it was an excellent CD. But it did prevent me from scrolling through some of the slower parts. In general, Part 3 seemed to drag although he pulls it all together in the end. It's a fascinating story of a Dutch East Indies employee on Dijima, an island off the coast of Japan in 1800. Foreigners are not allowed on the mainland, and very few Japanese are allowed on Dijima. Yet, DeZoet falls in love with a Japanese midwife, who then ends up in a convent which has a tragic secret life. The book follows them and other Dutch, English and Japanese characters. Written beautifully, obviously well-researched, fascinating for the most part. Just that one part which I thought might have been edited differently. In the end, though, a very moving tale and instructive of Japanese society at that time.
premat's review against another edition
4.0
So I love David Mitchell. Have read most of his books. Find that as his narrative gets more straightforward, I wish to have a bit more whimsicality (is that a word? it is now!) folded in to the story...
That said - beautiful. clean. honest. i just wish we'd gotten a bit more of the Orito storyline once things 'resolved'?!
That said - beautiful. clean. honest. i just wish we'd gotten a bit more of the Orito storyline once things 'resolved'?!
herebehumans's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this book!! I'm sad the read is over, but I couldn't stop reading it. Love the characters, the plot, the background, the language.. 10/10!
nancyflanagan's review against another edition
5.0
OH, wow. Best book I've read in a long time. And--it took me a long time to read it. It's not hurry-up plot-driven reading (although there are several interlocking plots, all fascinating). It's the kind of reading where a couple of chapters will give you lots to chew on--amusing, layered writing, original characters, philosophical discussions, clashing cultures and the primary role of the interpreter as the key person who provides the window into meaning and action. East meets west, each thinking the other incomprehensible. And seductive.
And the epilogue--or "last words" chapter--is stunning and perfect.
I tried to think about the research Mitchell must have had to do to harvest details: Japan, trade, maritime daily life as well as battles, and history in particular times and places. My third Mitchell book--and my favorite, so far--although each has been brilliant in its own way.
And the epilogue--or "last words" chapter--is stunning and perfect.
I tried to think about the research Mitchell must have had to do to harvest details: Japan, trade, maritime daily life as well as battles, and history in particular times and places. My third Mitchell book--and my favorite, so far--although each has been brilliant in its own way.
sankeym's review against another edition
3.0
In the tradition of, and set 200 years after _Shogun_, this historical epic confines the action to the claustrophobic world of Dutch Deshima Island, where clerk Jacob de Zoet falls in unrequited love with a female Japanese doctor, tangles with a Neo-Daoist sorcerer and faces down the attempted British invasion of 1799. Notable for a distinctly non-Hollywood ending.
kmccloskey765's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic book about the Dutch in medieval Japan. Beautiful writing that draws you into the story. The places and people are portrayed in all their gritty realism. And the storyline is so intriguing I found it hard to put the book down.