Shogun by James Clavell

After what seems like a long time, all the 1125 pages have been turned. Reading Shogun really was an epic undertaking, and possibly the longest book I have read to date. Or perhaps it's a tie with Lord of the Rings. Either way, holy moly.

It was pretty enjoyable for the most part. There were some areas where it lingered longer than required. Certainly don't regret the time spent reading it, though, and it did clear up some questions left over from the TV series.

And it was because of watching the Shogun (2024) TV series (which I thoroughly enjoyed, but felt that it hadn't really ended) that I wanted to read the book.

Set in Japan in the year 1600, at the dawn of a century-defining civil war, Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village. Its English pilot, John Blackthorne, comes bearing secrets that could help Toranaga tip the scales of power and devastate the formidable influence of Blackthorne’s own enemies — the Jesuit priests and Portuguese merchants. Toranaga’s and Blackthorne’s fates become inextricably tied to their translator, Toda Mariko, a mysterious Christian noblewoman and the last of a disgraced line. While serving her lord amidst this fraught political landscape, Mariko must reconcile her newfound companionship with Blackthorne, her commitment to the faith that saved her and her duty to her late father. – TheTVDB.com

If you haven't already, I'd very much suggest giving it a watch. With only 10 episodes at about 1 hour each, it won't take you long.

And, if you fancy delving in to the book, make sure you grab it from a local bookshop where possible.

Shogun: Book One of the Asian Saga - The book that inspired the multi-Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning TV show a book by James Clavell.

NOW A MAJOR GOLDEN GLOBE-WINNING TV SERIES’Clavell never puts a foot wrong . . . Get it, read it, you’ll enjoy it mightily’ Daily MirrorThis is James Clavell’s tour-de-force; an epic saga of one Pilot-Major John Blackthorne, and his integration into the struggles and strife of feudal Japan. Both entertaining and incisive, SHOGUN is a stunningly dramatic re-creation of a very different world.Starting with his shipwreck on this most alien of shores, the novel charts Blackthorne’s rise from the status of reviled foreigner up to the hights of trusted advisor and eventually, Samurai. All as civil war looms over the fragile country.‘I can’t remember when a novel has seized my mind like this one. It’s irresistible, maybe unforgettable. Clavell creates a world so enveloping you forget who and where you are’ - New York Times

Bookshop UKJames Clavell

I'm not sure what I'll read next. Perhaps something Sci-Fi. I'm not quite ready for book two yet!