Today, the book has an almost airport bestseller image, with all the pulpy connotations of that label. At the time, though, it appealed to a wide range of readers, as the Washington Post noted in 1979. https://t.co/xG3DSU6TFz pic.twitter.com/TDUxzcFwdl
— Mulboyne (@Mulboyne) February 27, 2024
The New York Times made a similar point in a later report, following the success of the TV adaptation. https://t.co/3VpLgTHg0u pic.twitter.com/7tS5R5faII
— Mulboyne (@Mulboyne) February 27, 2024
Dwight Chuman, editor at the time of the Rafu Shimpo, reckoned Clavell tailored his answers on authenticity for different audiences. pic.twitter.com/BqZRNDGIBR
— Mulboyne (@Mulboyne) February 27, 2024
From the NY Times review of the FX series:
It is sumptuously produced, mostly well acted and not excessively sentimental or sensational. If its story seems to stop and start a bit, there are reasons for that, which become clear in a satisfying and moving ending; if there are major characters who don’t stand up to scrutiny, there are others who come alive and hold your interest. It may not live up to its hype, and it may leave you wondering why so much time (more than a decade) and money needed to be spent reanimating Clavell’s tale. But it delivers.
(Assuming my memory of the book is right, I loved the advice that if you simply can't win, delay until you can.) (And the second way ninjas are used.)
Oh, one more thing:
Mark Zuckerberg is in Japan right now making Katanas with Japanese Sword Master, Akihira Kokaji. pic.twitter.com/aZhzWpcwIl
— AI KATANA (@ai_katana) February 25, 2024