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A review by jonathanbutlerauthor
Blossoms and Shadows by Lian Hearn
3.0
I am a huge fan of the Otori series ([b:Across the Nightingale Floor|77160|Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, #1)|Lian Hearn|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347954422s/77160.jpg|161332]), as i think Hearn can portray characters and create an engaging plot extremely well. The era and locations were not pin pointed, but were obviously set in Japan. This enriched and supported the novels perfectly.
Blossoms and Shadows also had good character development and dramatic climaxes, but was weighed down by the historical elements. In one of the early chapters, Hearn describes ALL of the main characters in a confusing array of names. These characters continue to reappear throughout the novel, even occasionally referred to by nick name, with Hearn assuming the reader will recall them. It took me the entire novel to recognise half of the key players.
The problem is that the history isn't THAT interesting. The basic gist of the political storyline is that a group of progressive men are challenging the conservative government of Japan. This doesn't change much throughout the entire novel, but Hearn insists on reiterating this fact. The novel builds up to the final battles, which are told in third person and after the event, which is unfortunate as the drama was lost.
As previously mentioned however, I throughly enjoyed the principal characters and story elements. Characters from friends, teachers, lovers, family, children or fleeting encounters all are distinct and interesting. Hearn has clipped her indulgent descriptions of the scenery with Blossoms and Shadows (as compared to the Otori Series), only including descriptions if they were integral to the plot. Hearn cleverly communicates what Western culture may of looked like through the eyes of ancient Japan, convincing the reader of the fascination with photography or a gun. Hearn's comments on gender equality, western influences, medicine and dip into a taboo territory keeps the novel moving.
Overall it was a good summer read, with interesting gender/sex/society comments, character development and dramatic climaxes but unfortunately weighed down by historical content.
Blossoms and Shadows also had good character development and dramatic climaxes, but was weighed down by the historical elements. In one of the early chapters, Hearn describes ALL of the main characters in a confusing array of names. These characters continue to reappear throughout the novel, even occasionally referred to by nick name, with Hearn assuming the reader will recall them. It took me the entire novel to recognise half of the key players.
The problem is that the history isn't THAT interesting. The basic gist of the political storyline is that a group of progressive men are challenging the conservative government of Japan. This doesn't change much throughout the entire novel, but Hearn insists on reiterating this fact. The novel builds up to the final battles, which are told in third person and after the event, which is unfortunate as the drama was lost.
As previously mentioned however, I throughly enjoyed the principal characters and story elements. Characters from friends, teachers, lovers, family, children or fleeting encounters all are distinct and interesting. Hearn has clipped her indulgent descriptions of the scenery with Blossoms and Shadows (as compared to the Otori Series), only including descriptions if they were integral to the plot. Hearn cleverly communicates what Western culture may of looked like through the eyes of ancient Japan, convincing the reader of the fascination with photography or a gun. Hearn's comments on gender equality, western influences, medicine and dip into a taboo territory keeps the novel moving.
Overall it was a good summer read, with interesting gender/sex/society comments, character development and dramatic climaxes but unfortunately weighed down by historical content.