Shōgun

[FirstTakeNate]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and looking forward to discussing some literature that I love, both "classic" and modern.

I would like to start a small "book club" to discuss Shōgun by James Clavell. I have started reading it, and since it's a long book (1152 pages in my edition to be exact) I've given myself until the end of the month of June to finish it, which is about 40 pages of reading per day, or two to three chapters (I like to parcel out my reading mathematically as I'm regularly very busy and most often don't have a set schedule to sit down and read).

I'd like to discuss the book in a civil manner and get insight from a few people who have read it and are willing to reread it for the purpose of discussion. I say "in a civil manner" because there are many with strong opinions out there who feel that they're right no matter what and will not back down in the face of disagreement. Debate is obviously quite welcome, but not hot-headedness or abuse.

This is purely for my own enjoyment and enrichment and for anyone else's who is willing to participate. I would like to discuss it on this forum and also possibly open a private chat room at the end of this month when I, and others who wish to participate, have finished reading or rereading the book so that it is fresh in our minds and we can discuss it live.

I am reading this book not because I am intrigued by James Clavell or Japanese culture in general (although it actually does fascinate me, and I know many people from Japan who I like very much), but David Liebman, a sax player that I really am influenced by both from his music and education, listed this book as one of many that were most influential in his development. I always enjoy reading books on just about any subject, especially things I hadn't thought to read about before.

I look forward to hearing from anyone who is interested in participating, and please don't give the story away when you post a message or tell me something like, "Oh, don't read that book, it's horrible," as I'm going to read it anyway. Just let me know that you're interested and would love to read/reread the book this month and discuss it next month.

I look forward to hearing back from you and appreciate your time.

Thanks,
Nathan Mills

[JBI]

Never heard of the book to be honest, is it any good?

[John Goodman]

It was made into a very popular mini-series I believe, outside of that I don't know if the book is any good.

[rachel_bookworm]

I re-read Steinbeck's classic Of Mice and Men, forgot how sad the ending was :(

Excellent read

[rachel_bookworm]

oops wrong thread, sorry :S

[FirstTakeNate]

Hi,

Thanks for the inquiries so far. To answer the questions as to if the book is any good or not, I can honestly say that I'm really enjoying it so far and I'm only four chapters in. The plot is quite intriguing and suspenseful thus far, to say the least, and the clash of cultures theme (Europeans with Japanese) in 1600 is equally interesting, to me anyway.

Honestly, whether the book is any good or not is up to whomever is reading it, as some may like something completely different and others may feel it's exactly what they're looking for in a book and subject matter. From what I know, and I know very little, James Clavell is a British author who actually had a real POW experience in Asia, I believe during World War II. He was inspired to write about his experiences in order to deal with the trauma he went through, and thus his "Asian Saga" was born, with Sh?gun being the first, chronologically, in the series. In general, James Clavell (died in 1994) is a respected and widely read author of modern fiction whose books will probably have appeal to most people who enjoy modern fiction.

To let you know a little as to what the plot is so far, without giving away major details, a Dutch ship with a British pilot has found its way into the Pacific Ocean from the European coast, and landed by accident in Japan, where the Portuguese seem to have a strong foothold. The crew of the ship, many dead or injured, are taken prisoner by the Japanese and the contents of their ship seized. The local warlord feel that he can use the vast armaments contained on their ship to finance his own personal war agenda against his opponents in Japan, and wants to use the strangers as pawns in his plan somehow. This is as far as I've come and should serve to give a general impression of what you're in for.

I look forward to hearing back from you and discussing it with you a month down the road if you're interested.

Thanks again,
Nathan Mills

[ClaesGefvenberg]

I'm new to this forum and looking forward to discussing some literature that I love, both "classic" and modern.Welcome to LitNet, Nathan. I hope and believe you'll like it here :wave:


Debate is obviously quite welcome, but not hot-headedness or abuse.I fully agree. Fortunately, that is usually not a problem here. I have to say that the LitNet members in general are very well behaved even when opinions differ (I even allow my 12 year old daughter to take part in the discussions here, and that is not something you can do in all forums), and in the few instances when we do have clashes the moderators sort it out in a constructive manner.


Just let me know that you're interested and would love to read/reread the book this month and discuss it next month.Absolutely. I reread it last year, and I don't particularly mind whipping through it again (not that I really need to).


Never heard of the book to be honest, is it any good?Yes, I think so. I found it good enough for rereading every now and then. That, on the hand, is something I do with most of my books when I have depleted my "stash" of reading matter :D


It was made into a very popular mini-series I believe, outside of that I don't know if the book is any good.Like I said, I think so, but I'm waiting for others to form their own opinions.

/Claes

[FirstTakeNate]

Hi Claes,

Great to hear from you and thanks for letting me know a little bit about the forum. Good to have you aboard. :)

I was originally planning on posting an invitation like this at my local library, but I thought there may be no guarantee that anyone would see it, and even if a number of people responded, they would all only be local, which is why I opted for this online forum, as it allows people from all over the world to particpate and share their thoughts.

And yeah, if it's fresh in your mind, that's great. When I mention "rereading the book," I'm talking more to people who may have read the book once like ten years ago, and although really enjoyed it, may not remember all the details completely and would do well to jog their memories by rereading it. You sound as if you're already quite familiar with it, having mentioned you reread it last year, so yeah, if you're willing to whip through it again, awesome, but if you feel it's that fresh in your mind, that's cool too.

I'm around ten chapters in, and look forward to the first of July when we can start really talking about it. If you have any questions or comments in the meantime though, definitely shoot them to me as well.

Thanks again,
Nathan

[ClaesGefvenberg]

You sound as if you're already quite familiar with it, having mentioned you reread it last year, so yeah, if you're willing to whip through it again, awesome, but if you feel it's that fresh in your mind, that's cool too.Well, the thing is that I'm a bit short of anything new to read, so I think I'll read it again anyway because I want to. As a matter of fact I reread the entire Asia series last year, and may very well end up doing it again this year if I get started. It's the way I am, and I can't help myself: I'm severely addicted to reading :D

I'm off to a Greek island next thursday, and I may as well bring it. I have to have something to read, or I'll go bonkers in no time flat.

/Claes