An amazing feat to carry throughout the novel with the many characters we meet. Every character, irrespective of background, acted in accordance. In fact, you could say that the culture of Japan was what made decisions and drove action. So much detail went into learning how Japanese culture works. Documents on Ships, ship terminology, ship navigation, political tensions, who hated whom, who allied with whom, the various missionaries, Japan in the 1600, the characters of importance, their roles, how Japanese society worked back then, Their views, lifestyle, laws, problems, and so much more.

But just as an author, the amount of research he would have had to do.

A quick check on the internet and you have facts lining up with the story. You can tell he really researched his material. It’s hard to just read the information in history and absorb it, but when its masterfully spun into a tale of how events might have happened, it makes history so much more satisfying.Īlthough Clavell had free reins to do as he wished with his characters, the route he decided to take was what really added to this book. Suddenly their Wikipedia article comes to life. It’s so amazing listening to this book and then learning that these characters did indeed exist. But for the most part, this is a historical fiction that is historically accurate. Sure, names have been altered and some events have been changed to fit the book. The characters presented in this book actually existed (most of them). What is amazing is the level of detail Clavell went into. Shōgun is a novel about Japan during the 1600s. I don’t think I’ve read any other series that is so meticulous in every aspect. I am greatly indebted and thankful that James Clavell decided to write this series. I can’t believe that a book consisting of exactly the elements I wanted was available by an author who went through so much himself. This is right up there on my top books of the year. The duration of a month that felt like my own journey of a lifetime. Read to me by the amazingly talented Ralph Lister. What would be the equivalent of some 1154 pages. 54 Sections, each approximating 45-120 min.

Shogun by james clavell review