Historical
A historical novel about a boy in 1853 Japan who wants to become a samurai is exactly the sort of premise that can go either way. Too much dream, not enough reality, and it turns into wallpaper. Too much history, and the boy disappears into it.
The Bamboo Sword works best if you like character first and atmosphere close behind. I do. The setting matters, but only if the human want at the centre stays sharp. That’s the bit that makes a book linger after the period details have done their job.
The Bamboo Sword works best if you like character first and atmosphere close behind. I do. The setting matters, but only if the human want at the centre stays sharp. That’s the bit that makes a book linger after the period details have done their job.
The 1853 Japan part is doing a lot of work here, and I mean that in a good way. It gives the story pressure straight away. What usually loses me is when a boy-with-a-dream plot gets treated like a costume rack. If the book keeps the world solid without making Yoshi a tourist in it, that’s the interesting line.
1853 Japan is doing a lot of work there. Good, if it’s handled with some discipline. The danger with this sort of setup is that the ambition gets treated like the story, when it’s really just the pressure around it.
I’d want to know whether it’s for readers who like history with a clear emotional line, rather than people expecting a big action-led samurai tale. That makes a difference.
I’d want to know whether it’s for readers who like history with a clear emotional line, rather than people expecting a big action-led samurai tale. That makes a difference.