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乙嫁語り [Otoyomegatari] #3
A Bride's Story, Vol. 3
Acclaimed creator Kaoru Mori's tale of life on the nineteenth-century Silk Road continues, this time introducing a new would-be bride—Talas. A young widow, Talas opens her home to the researcher Mr. Smith, who has ventured to her town to continue his studies. However, when Talas's uncle begins to see Smith as an impediment to his plans to wed his son to Talas, the old man's schemes land the Englishman in prison! Far from friends and even farther from home, Smith's outlook seems grim...
Crafted in painstaking detail, Ms. Mori’s pen breathes life into the scenery and architecture of the period in this heartwarming, slice-of-life tale that is at once both wholly exotic, yet familiar and accessible through the everyday lives of the rich characters she has created.
Crafted in painstaking detail, Ms. Mori’s pen breathes life into the scenery and architecture of the period in this heartwarming, slice-of-life tale that is at once both wholly exotic, yet familiar and accessible through the everyday lives of the rich characters she has created.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published June 15, 2011
28 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
About the author
Kaoru Mori
100 books852 followersKaoru Mori (森 薫) is a Japanese manga author. Her stories tend to be intricately drawn female lead historical dramas set in exotic locations like Britain and along the silk road. Her series include Emma (2002-2008), Shirley (2003-present) and the best known A Bride's Tale (2008-present).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews
April 21, 2013
20 April 2013
So far in this series, the plot has taken a backseat to the beautiful artwork. Not so in A Bride's Story, Vol. 3. Of course the illustrations are as spectacular as ever, but the story has intensified and now keeps pace with the art. I didn't know how I would feel following Mr. Smith's storyline, leaving Amir and Karluk behind, but this ended up being the most gripping storyline of the series yet.
The third volume follows Mr. Smith as he journeys to Ankara to continue his research. While searching for his guide, he runs into a bit of trouble and fatefully crosses paths with the beautiful Talas. What follows is the most frustratingly bittersweet tale that stomped my little black heart to bits.
I bow down to Kaoru Mori. She is ridiculously talented! Her artwork is some of the most beautiful drawings you will ever see in any medium, not just manga. I feel like she's really beginning to come into her own with this volume. She perfectly weaves exciting action and heartbreaking drama with perfectly timed humor to balance it all out. She can do no wrong.
So far in this series, the plot has taken a backseat to the beautiful artwork. Not so in A Bride's Story, Vol. 3. Of course the illustrations are as spectacular as ever, but the story has intensified and now keeps pace with the art. I didn't know how I would feel following Mr. Smith's storyline, leaving Amir and Karluk behind, but this ended up being the most gripping storyline of the series yet.
The third volume follows Mr. Smith as he journeys to Ankara to continue his research. While searching for his guide, he runs into a bit of trouble and fatefully crosses paths with the beautiful Talas. What follows is the most frustratingly bittersweet tale that stomped my little black heart to bits.
I bow down to Kaoru Mori. She is ridiculously talented! Her artwork is some of the most beautiful drawings you will ever see in any medium, not just manga. I feel like she's really beginning to come into her own with this volume. She perfectly weaves exciting action and heartbreaking drama with perfectly timed humor to balance it all out. She can do no wrong.
April 8, 2018
It is time for the journey of Mr. Smith to continue, but of course we also meet a new girl, there are several adventures and harrowing times, and we meet some old friends again.
In the last volume we said our goodbyes to Amira and Karluk. It was time for Mr. Smith to travel again to find his companion/guide. It wasn't that safe for him anymore. So he left (well, the first part of the journey our couple went with him to guide the way). In this book we see him wander around in the town where he is supposed to find the person who is going to help him. While doing that he finds out that his horse is stolen and thus encounters Talas (Tarasu) whose horse was also stolen (sending her into a big panic).
I adored Talas from the start. She seemed like a caring, kind, sweet girl, and I was very eager to find out her story. Given the story, she should be a bride. But was she married already? Waiting for marriage? Or did something else happens? As we find out what happens (from dearest mother-in-law) I had tears in my eyes. This poor girl. And then to stay with her mother-in-law to take care of her instead of going back home to her family and get married again. That is just the sweetest and the best.
I had a laugh at how how mother-in-law kept making remarks about Mr. Smith and him being a single, how she tried to push both Talas and Mr. Smith together to get married. :P This woman is awesome. And also very sweet. She wants to give Talas a future. She wants her to go out and be together with someone. Mother-in-law isn't the youngest and she is worried that Talas would end up all alone in this place in the middle of nowhere that the two of them live at.
And I was definitely rooting for Talas and Mr. Smith to end up together. This may sounds weird but I do feel there was a great connection between the two, and I did see some sparks fly when they talked or when they were together. I do have to say I was quite happy with how Mr. Smith handled things. He didn't immediately say yes when things go to a certain point, instead he wanted to make sure that Talas was definitely OK with everything. Of course this brought some confusion with his other friends (his guide and three people who he already met earlier). They think it is weird that he is so hesitant. They try to encourage him to just go for it. Talas is a sweet girl, she is willing, he has permission from the family. Go for it.
We also see Mr. Smith gets in a bit of a pickle with people who apparently don't get the concept of researchers travelling around and writing things down because they think it is all interesting. Then again, I get that they may be suspicious given he was riding a very fancy horse (which he got from Talas).
I wish that the author had shown the time going by (in the jail) a bit better than just giving Mr. Smith a beard all of the sudden (really, it just felt magical, one moment he had nothing and the next, poof beard).
The ending had me in tears and I was so so sad. I do hope that these two are able to meet again, they were so happy together, and I was hoping to see a marriage happening soon.
We also see a bit more of Mr. Smith without his glasses, and oh boy, he is sure is hot. :P Can we have more shots of him looking quite sexy instead of him looking like a messy researcher? Aww, please?
The art is gorgeous once again, there were quite a few scenes that were my favourite. Like the food parts (making me long for those foreign foods), but also the scene in which Talas unwraps all her stuff from around her head and we finally see her head/hair/face and then she proceeds to stand in the wind and it made her hair twirls around her. It was just so beautiful.
Oh, and in between stuff we see Tireke (from the previous books). She is now of age to find a husband, but we all know how Tireke is so this won't be easy. However, with that certain event happening... <3 <3 Hopefully we will see how that ended in the next one. I can't wait.
All in all, I could probably talk a bit longer about this book, but I feel I have said what I wanted, and I just can't wait for the next volume. Mr. Smith has a long journey ahead of him and I can't wait to see who and what he will encounter on his way.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
In the last volume we said our goodbyes to Amira and Karluk. It was time for Mr. Smith to travel again to find his companion/guide. It wasn't that safe for him anymore. So he left (well, the first part of the journey our couple went with him to guide the way). In this book we see him wander around in the town where he is supposed to find the person who is going to help him. While doing that he finds out that his horse is stolen and thus encounters Talas (Tarasu) whose horse was also stolen (sending her into a big panic).
I adored Talas from the start. She seemed like a caring, kind, sweet girl, and I was very eager to find out her story. Given the story, she should be a bride. But was she married already? Waiting for marriage? Or did something else happens? As we find out what happens (from dearest mother-in-law) I had tears in my eyes. This poor girl. And then to stay with her mother-in-law to take care of her instead of going back home to her family and get married again. That is just the sweetest and the best.
I had a laugh at how how mother-in-law kept making remarks about Mr. Smith and him being a single, how she tried to push both Talas and Mr. Smith together to get married. :P This woman is awesome. And also very sweet. She wants to give Talas a future. She wants her to go out and be together with someone. Mother-in-law isn't the youngest and she is worried that Talas would end up all alone in this place in the middle of nowhere that the two of them live at.
And I was definitely rooting for Talas and Mr. Smith to end up together. This may sounds weird but I do feel there was a great connection between the two, and I did see some sparks fly when they talked or when they were together. I do have to say I was quite happy with how Mr. Smith handled things. He didn't immediately say yes when things go to a certain point, instead he wanted to make sure that Talas was definitely OK with everything. Of course this brought some confusion with his other friends (his guide and three people who he already met earlier). They think it is weird that he is so hesitant. They try to encourage him to just go for it. Talas is a sweet girl, she is willing, he has permission from the family. Go for it.
We also see Mr. Smith gets in a bit of a pickle with people who apparently don't get the concept of researchers travelling around and writing things down because they think it is all interesting. Then again, I get that they may be suspicious given he was riding a very fancy horse (which he got from Talas).
I wish that the author had shown the time going by (in the jail) a bit better than just giving Mr. Smith a beard all of the sudden (really, it just felt magical, one moment he had nothing and the next, poof beard).
The ending had me in tears and I was so so sad. I do hope that these two are able to meet again, they were so happy together, and I was hoping to see a marriage happening soon.
We also see a bit more of Mr. Smith without his glasses, and oh boy, he is sure is hot. :P Can we have more shots of him looking quite sexy instead of him looking like a messy researcher? Aww, please?
The art is gorgeous once again, there were quite a few scenes that were my favourite. Like the food parts (making me long for those foreign foods), but also the scene in which Talas unwraps all her stuff from around her head and we finally see her head/hair/face and then she proceeds to stand in the wind and it made her hair twirls around her. It was just so beautiful.
Oh, and in between stuff we see Tireke (from the previous books). She is now of age to find a husband, but we all know how Tireke is so this won't be easy. However, with that certain event happening... <3 <3 Hopefully we will see how that ended in the next one. I can't wait.
All in all, I could probably talk a bit longer about this book, but I feel I have said what I wanted, and I just can't wait for the next volume. Mr. Smith has a long journey ahead of him and I can't wait to see who and what he will encounter on his way.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
August 8, 2017
This installment of life on the 19th century Silk Road has Mr. Smith making his way to Ankara. On the way he meets Talas, a young widow with an interesting and very sad history. Their lives get intertwined in ways neither expects.
It's easy to in this modern age to forget that we live in a patriarchal society as so much is not as overtly visible as in the past. Talas is another interesting character, though not as well developed as Amir, and her situation is very different as she has no man to "protect" her. I loved the relationship between Talas and her mother-in-law. A bit fairytale-ish I suppose, but lovely nonetheless.
The art continues to be fantastic. There isn't as much action in this one, though the market scenes with all that delish food had my mouth watering. After three volumes I'm still unsure about Mr. White. Is this white guy supposed to represent us the reader? Outsiders trying to make sense of a different culture? It was fun that characters we've met before make a cameo appearance, but this one is clearly focused on the lack of agency women have in the culture.
Am gobbling up these books. So good.
It's easy to in this modern age to forget that we live in a patriarchal society as so much is not as overtly visible as in the past. Talas is another interesting character, though not as well developed as Amir, and her situation is very different as she has no man to "protect" her. I loved the relationship between Talas and her mother-in-law. A bit fairytale-ish I suppose, but lovely nonetheless.
The art continues to be fantastic. There isn't as much action in this one, though the market scenes with all that delish food had my mouth watering. After three volumes I'm still unsure about Mr. White. Is this white guy supposed to represent us the reader? Outsiders trying to make sense of a different culture? It was fun that characters we've met before make a cameo appearance, but this one is clearly focused on the lack of agency women have in the culture.
Am gobbling up these books. So good.
November 1, 2014
Historical manga, romance, volume 3, with a new bride introduced, and they are all young, married at 12-13, but the one introduced in this volume is a young widow, Talas, who opens her home to the British researcher Mr. Smith, who gets in the middle of negotiations for a groom for Talas… on the Silk Road.. Mori, who seems to be only speaking to children in her afterwords to these series, and seems kinda silly there, gives some attention to historical accuracy for the period, so she is taking it more seriously than she lets on, I'd say. The (handsome? dashing?) British researcher makes room for the Western audience or some Eastern fascination with the West? and a (light, but more than competent, likable!) sorta anthropological perspective on west-east relations. This series is fun and the art is really good, not just cutesy manga figures...
December 11, 2014
I've been trying to include graphic novels in my regular reading, and a graphic novel that delves into life in Central Asia when the Silk Road was still a happening thing? Oh yes! Unfortunately, I didn't realize I was picking up the third book until it arrived from my library with a great big "3" on it. Fortunately, you do not have to have read the previous books to enjoy this one!
This is a beautiful, humorous and sad story. The bride in this story is Talas, married to one brother after another, all of whom have died leaving her the widow of five brothers, living alone with her mother-in-law, who happens to be both loving and strong as steel. And the story starts there, with the two of them alone... actually, it starts with the potential groom, Mr. Smith, a traveling european linguist (I think) who can't keep anything together and nearly loses his horse and provisions while looking for his guide. Talas invites him home as a guest since that's what you DO in these cultures, and... we realize that there is much matchmaking happening, not all of it good. Will Mr. Smith overcome his european hesitancy and take action? Or has he not yet figured out how to handle the culture he's in??? (Ha! If you think you know the answer, you probably don't...)
The illustrations are inked (i.e. not color) but are gorgeous and striking and evocative. The story has its own rhythm, and there is much focus on food, which is all culturally perfect. Perfect.
Love.
This is a beautiful, humorous and sad story. The bride in this story is Talas, married to one brother after another, all of whom have died leaving her the widow of five brothers, living alone with her mother-in-law, who happens to be both loving and strong as steel. And the story starts there, with the two of them alone... actually, it starts with the potential groom, Mr. Smith, a traveling european linguist (I think) who can't keep anything together and nearly loses his horse and provisions while looking for his guide. Talas invites him home as a guest since that's what you DO in these cultures, and... we realize that there is much matchmaking happening, not all of it good. Will Mr. Smith overcome his european hesitancy and take action? Or has he not yet figured out how to handle the culture he's in??? (Ha! If you think you know the answer, you probably don't...)
The illustrations are inked (i.e. not color) but are gorgeous and striking and evocative. The story has its own rhythm, and there is much focus on food, which is all culturally perfect. Perfect.
Love.
December 26, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️3.0
This time introducing a new would-be bride—Talas. A young widow, Talas opens her home to the researcher Mr. Smith, who has ventured to her town to continue his studies. However, when Talas's uncle begins to see Smith as an impediment to his plans to wed his son to Talas, the old man's schemes land the Englishman in prison! Far from friends and even farther from home, Smith's outlook seems grim...
It had been a long time since I read this manga series. So, I needed to look into what happened in the previous two volumes. I found this third installment of this historical-fiction on the nineteenth-century Silk Road. The plot was concise and showed us the development of the Englishman Mr.Smith and his story. It was not as enjoyable as the previous ones, but I still liked it.
Mr. Smith was respectful and showed another side of himself and we get to learn more about his family and his background. The graphic and coloring in this volume were absolutely beautiful, I love the details of the objects and even the cultural dresses.
I would recommend this series of anyone looking for any interesting historical manga series
This time introducing a new would-be bride—Talas. A young widow, Talas opens her home to the researcher Mr. Smith, who has ventured to her town to continue his studies. However, when Talas's uncle begins to see Smith as an impediment to his plans to wed his son to Talas, the old man's schemes land the Englishman in prison! Far from friends and even farther from home, Smith's outlook seems grim...
It had been a long time since I read this manga series. So, I needed to look into what happened in the previous two volumes. I found this third installment of this historical-fiction on the nineteenth-century Silk Road. The plot was concise and showed us the development of the Englishman Mr.Smith and his story. It was not as enjoyable as the previous ones, but I still liked it.
Mr. Smith was respectful and showed another side of himself and we get to learn more about his family and his background. The graphic and coloring in this volume were absolutely beautiful, I love the details of the objects and even the cultural dresses.
I would recommend this series of anyone looking for any interesting historical manga series
April 21, 2015
¡Al fin este manga le esta haciendo honor a su nombre!
Esta historia se me hizo muy triste y melancólica. Espero que más adelante se retome esta trama y se resuelva de un modo más satisfactorio.
Esta historia se me hizo muy triste y melancólica. Espero que más adelante se retome esta trama y se resuelva de un modo más satisfactorio.
July 12, 2022
Bride story 3
So Mr Smith is in a new town,
Poor Mr Smith, poor Talas.
So this book has like some romantic plot that ends up sad, as usual lots of great imagery and cultural exposition.
4 stars
So Mr Smith is in a new town,
Poor Mr Smith, poor Talas.
So this book has like some romantic plot that ends up sad, as usual lots of great imagery and cultural exposition.
4 stars
October 13, 2012
While it's hard to pick favorites in a series I love so much, this has to be my favorite volume yet. This volume follows Mr. Smith, the English linguist studying the region, as he attempts to find his way to Ankara to continue his research. Along the way, he meets the beautiful but tragic Talas, whose five husbands have all died, leaving her alone with her mother-in-law. Rather than just show us glimpses into the day-to-day life of the tribes of Central Asia, this volume is a true love story with a heartbreaking cliffhanger ending that makes me wish that January would come faster! Amir and Karluk show up for a visit and take on a trip to the market that fans of the Mori's gorgeous artwork will not soon forget.
I cannot recommend this series enough.
I cannot recommend this series enough.
July 5, 2020
Once again, I really enjoyed this volume. I was a little sad to leave Amir and Karluk but Mr. Smith is an engaging MC to follow. This volume introduces a new “bride”, Talas - who hosts Mr Smith as he passes through her village. I originally thought I would not like this volume as much as the rest as I wasn’t invested in the characters - but I was wrong. Talas won me over so that by the end I was a little sad when the volume ended. No spoilers but the ending made me tear up.
The art remains fantastic - I loved pausing on the clothes and the character designs. In the end - that high standards of the art, combined with the engaging plot put this over for me. 5 stars for the great combination!
I’m off to read the next …
The art remains fantastic - I loved pausing on the clothes and the character designs. In the end - that high standards of the art, combined with the engaging plot put this over for me. 5 stars for the great combination!
I’m off to read the next …
May 7, 2020
4.5 stars. I liked this volume, but it also made me sad. I was happy to see Mr. Smith again, and we also saw some people from the previous two volumes in the latter half of the book, but That said, the art remains gorgeous and intricate, and the story was well paced and well crafted. As I said in previous reviews of this series, I want a story for Pariya! (And there might be something there now!) I also want Mr. Smith to be happy. Beyond that, Mr. Smith's guide, Ali, who we met in this volume seems like fun. I like him. All in all, great volume, and I'll definitely continue the series!
December 12, 2023
British researcher Mr. Smith makes his way across the Silk Road to Ankara where he encounters Talas, a young widow whose story captivates his interests. Smith finds himself caught between negotiations for Talas' next marriage (to her cousin), leading Smith to serve as an advocate for the young Talas. An interesting choice for the series to shift focus away from the previous protagonists of the earlier two volumes, but Mori makes it work with her fanciful blend of slice-of-life with a historical drama. Her artwork continues to shine, particularly with her ability to infuse anthropological & historical details into her backgrounds.
June 17, 2025
part slice-of-life, part travelogue, all eye candy. i can imagine how gorgeous the clothing would be in full color; so many intricately patterned fabrics, and all of them illustrated with consistent attention to detail even in grayscale~
in this volume it becomes apparent that the stories conveyed are episodic in nature, framed by the traveling linguist's experiences. (fortunately he's a likable fellow!) i'm digging the 19th century central asian/ middle eastern setting, which is unique among manga i've read.
in this volume it becomes apparent that the stories conveyed are episodic in nature, framed by the traveling linguist's experiences. (fortunately he's a likable fellow!) i'm digging the 19th century central asian/ middle eastern setting, which is unique among manga i've read.
July 17, 2025
মি. স্মিথ তার গন্তব্যে যাওয়ার পথে বাজারে থামে, সেখানে তালাস নামক এক বিধবার সাথে দেখা হয়। তালাসের দাওয়াত রক্ষা করতে তার বাড়িতে দুইএকদিন থেকে যায় স্মিথ। তালাসের শাশুড়ি তাকে স্মিথের সাথে বিয়ে দিয়ে নিশ্চিন্ত হতে চান। কিন্তু গবেষক স্মিথ কিছুতেই রাজি নন এই প্রস্তাবে। তিনি এই এলাকা ছেড়ে চলে যেতে গেলে গুপ্তচর সন্দেহে বাজারে আটকা পড়েন।এই বিপদ থেকে রক্ষা করতে কার্লুক দম্পতি ও তালাস নিজে চলে আসে।
শেষপর্যন্ত স্মিথ কি এবার তালাসের সাথে বিয়ের সম্পর্কে জড়িয়ে পড়বে?
শেষপর্যন্ত স্মিথ কি এবার তালাসের সাথে বিয়ের সম্পর্কে জড়িয়ে পড়বে?
Read
April 13, 2025This series continues to be thoroughly arresting. The amusing return of some characters from the previous volumes proved a delightful interlude; but the main story is movingly poignant and wistful—and more. But I don't want to give away the ending (though I'll say I was stunned by it). Overall I find that this volume "sits with" me post-reading as much as the previous two did.
November 9, 2019
So far not my favorite since it focuses on a side character I don't really care for that much instead of the main characters. But it was still fun
August 20, 2020
Read for the ScallywagAThon, challenge « Washed Ashore: A book published 3+ years ago. »
March 10, 2024
Ce tome était INCROYABLE !!! Vraiment mon préféré pour l’instant. J’ai adoré la rencontre entre M. Smith et Talas, ainsi que les retrouvailles avec les autres personnages.
J’ai hâte de voir le périple de Smith et de découvrir d’autres personnages et paysages.
Les dessins sont d’une beauté à couper le souffle !
J’ai hâte de voir le périple de Smith et de découvrir d’autres personnages et paysages.
Les dessins sont d’une beauté à couper le souffle !
July 31, 2020
Series Info/Source: This is the third volume in A Bride’s Story. I got this volume as a birthday gift.
Story (4/5): I enjoyed this volume. The story takes quite a different turn from the first two volumes as we instead follow the westerner (Mr. Smith) as he journeys to a different part of China. He gets into some trouble when his guide doesn't show up on time and his horse is stolen. He ends up sheltering with a young woman and her mother. There was a bit more action and excitement in this volume than in the previous volumes.
Characters (4/5): I enjoyed seeing the story from Mr. Smith’s perspective and enjoyed some of the new characters introduced. Amir and Kharluk also make an appearance towards the end of the story.
Setting (4/5): It was good to travel to a slightly different area of the country and I hope we get to follow Mr. Smith further on his travels. I love that we are exposed to more history and culture of this region.
Writing/Drawing Style (5/5): I enjoyed the beautiful illustration and liked the change of pace. I am a bit curious as to where all of this is going and if the next volume will have us continue to accompany Mr. Smith on his travels, or if we will end up back with Amir and Kharluk.
My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a well done continuation of this series. I enjoyed the change of pace and scenery. This was a bit faster pace than previous volumes but still had a lot of that sort of “day in the life” feel to it. I plan on reading the next volume in the series because I got it as a birthday gift along with this volume. I am not sure if I will continue with it after that because the volumes are pretty expensive and while I like it, I don’t love it.
Story (4/5): I enjoyed this volume. The story takes quite a different turn from the first two volumes as we instead follow the westerner (Mr. Smith) as he journeys to a different part of China. He gets into some trouble when his guide doesn't show up on time and his horse is stolen. He ends up sheltering with a young woman and her mother. There was a bit more action and excitement in this volume than in the previous volumes.
Characters (4/5): I enjoyed seeing the story from Mr. Smith’s perspective and enjoyed some of the new characters introduced. Amir and Kharluk also make an appearance towards the end of the story.
Setting (4/5): It was good to travel to a slightly different area of the country and I hope we get to follow Mr. Smith further on his travels. I love that we are exposed to more history and culture of this region.
Writing/Drawing Style (5/5): I enjoyed the beautiful illustration and liked the change of pace. I am a bit curious as to where all of this is going and if the next volume will have us continue to accompany Mr. Smith on his travels, or if we will end up back with Amir and Kharluk.
My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a well done continuation of this series. I enjoyed the change of pace and scenery. This was a bit faster pace than previous volumes but still had a lot of that sort of “day in the life” feel to it. I plan on reading the next volume in the series because I got it as a birthday gift along with this volume. I am not sure if I will continue with it after that because the volumes are pretty expensive and while I like it, I don’t love it.
August 16, 2014
A Bride's Story is a slice of life story and as the focus shifts a bit in this volume it's a fine starting point. That said it does build off elements and characters introduced in volumes 1 and 2 and I would recommend reading in order.
** This review contains mild spoilers, solely regarding the series' change in focus. **
After two amazing volumes about Amir and her marriage to Karluk it's somewhat surprising to see the series follow the foreign researcher Mr. Smith when he leaves the village. It seemed natural to assume that Mori's historical epic was Amir's story, but a different bride takes center stage when a chance encounter leads to stay with Tala and her mother-in-law. The good news is while the change is somewhat disappointing and I think Amir's tale is far from over should Mori choose to revisit it, volume 3 is every bit as good as the previous ones in quality.
Tala's difficulties come from a totally different direction than what we've seen before and while Amir was an outsider to her new town, Mr. Smith is an outsider to the entire culture. This allows for a unique, contrasting tale to be told without losing the atmosphere that's been slowly built up. The conflict and difficulties presented to the characters are filled with emotion and feel natural despite surroundings and traditions unusual to the reader.
As should be expected by this point the art is wonderful, and has the same incredible detail and quality as previous volumes. In general the art for this series is easily some of the best I've ever seen.
So while volume 3 definitely signals some changes for Mori's stroll through history that will require some getting used to, A Bride's Story doesn't break it's stride here and remains a fantastic series.
** This review contains mild spoilers, solely regarding the series' change in focus. **
After two amazing volumes about Amir and her marriage to Karluk it's somewhat surprising to see the series follow the foreign researcher Mr. Smith when he leaves the village. It seemed natural to assume that Mori's historical epic was Amir's story, but a different bride takes center stage when a chance encounter leads to stay with Tala and her mother-in-law. The good news is while the change is somewhat disappointing and I think Amir's tale is far from over should Mori choose to revisit it, volume 3 is every bit as good as the previous ones in quality.
Tala's difficulties come from a totally different direction than what we've seen before and while Amir was an outsider to her new town, Mr. Smith is an outsider to the entire culture. This allows for a unique, contrasting tale to be told without losing the atmosphere that's been slowly built up. The conflict and difficulties presented to the characters are filled with emotion and feel natural despite surroundings and traditions unusual to the reader.
As should be expected by this point the art is wonderful, and has the same incredible detail and quality as previous volumes. In general the art for this series is easily some of the best I've ever seen.
So while volume 3 definitely signals some changes for Mori's stroll through history that will require some getting used to, A Bride's Story doesn't break it's stride here and remains a fantastic series.
September 9, 2020
So I have decided that I absllutly LOVE Kaoru Mori as a manga artist/writer! I LOVED her series Emma and I am LOVING this one!
I know that not ALL love stories get a happy ending and this one has a sad note to all those romantics out there. My heart broke in the million pieces, as it should when said person has a sad outcome with love. It was like Emma & Will allover again. Different place. Different time. Different people. Different outcome and reasons for it, but it is still the same heart brake.
Although, with doing that kind of ending for these 2 people Kaoru Mori could pick up at any time to bring them together! (Much hope) Or one could makes for a great fan-fiction with that. I REALLY hope that Kaoru Mori will come back to those people and have them end up together. Otherwise my fan-fiction will be placed in me head til she makes it!
I know that not ALL love stories get a happy ending and this one has a sad note to all those romantics out there. My heart broke in the million pieces, as it should when said person has a sad outcome with love. It was like Emma & Will allover again. Different place. Different time. Different people. Different outcome and reasons for it, but it is still the same heart brake.
Although, with doing that kind of ending for these 2 people Kaoru Mori could pick up at any time to bring them together! (Much hope) Or one could makes for a great fan-fiction with that. I REALLY hope that Kaoru Mori will come back to those people and have them end up together. Otherwise my fan-fiction will be placed in me head til she makes it!
October 2, 2017
|Review in EN & FR|
I was afraid of being disappointed with this volume because we no longer follow the story of Amir but I spent a great moment as with the previous titles! I look forward to discovering more about Thalas and seeing what happens to Paryia! It's really a beautiful feel-good saga, informative with very endearing characters.
+ : drawings (once and always), new characters, breath of fresh air in the story
- : you can't imagine how frustrating it is to not have Vol.4 yet !
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J'avais peur d'être déçue avec ce tome-ci car nous ne suivons plus exclusivement l'histoire d'Amir mais j'ai passé un super moment comme avec les titres précédents ! Il me tarde d'en découvrir plus sur Thalas et voir ce qu'il va arriver à Paryia ! C'est vraiment une belle saga feel-good, instructive avec des personnages ultra attachants.
+ : illustrations (encore et toujours), les nouveaux personnages, regain de souffle dans l'histoire
- : la frustration de ne pas avoir sous la main le tome 4 !
March 25, 2014
This volume shifted its focus, following Mr. Smith on his journey. He is planning to meet up with a guide who will take him to Ankara. While in town, he runs into a bit of trouble (in typical Mr. Smith fashion) and is unable to find the man who was hired to be his guide. He does meet a young woman named Talas, who invites him back to the home she shares with her mother-in-law. While staying there, Mother hatches a plan to marry the young couple (it's actually done in kindness; there's an uncle who not the nicest man).
The uncle is looking to make Talas the second wife to one of his sons and sees Mr. Smith as an impediment. Solution? Go to the local authorities and claim the Englishman is a spy and have him thrown in jail.
The uncle is looking to make Talas the second wife to one of his sons and sees Mr. Smith as an impediment. Solution? Go to the local authorities and claim the Englishman is a spy and have him thrown in jail.
June 9, 2012
There is something simply rich and luscious about Mori's storytelling, particularly in this series. The author provides a view into a world that on the surface looks so pastoral and uncivilized but really, it is rich in culture and diversity. The female characters in this story may seem all passive and obedient creatures but are these fascinating mixture of strong, weak, independent, honorable, hardworking, and quiet. What sets Mori's work aside and makes it so memorable to me is how her illustrations says so much more than the words. Her characters can say reveal so much is revealed in just a glance. I so love this series and just wished that her next volume could come out sooner.
March 24, 2015
Yaampun... yang jilid iniiiii... saya SUKA BANGEEEEEEEEEET ;________;
Di awal pertemuan, bikin deg-degan sendiri.
Pertemuan berlanjut dan berkembang, bikin saya ikut-ikutan berharap.
Ketika akhirnya meluap dan tersampaikan, bikin saya malu sendiri.
Sampai ke adegan pinangan, saya sampai nangis saking terharunya dan berharap suatu saat nanti saya juga merasakannya dengan pria pilihan saya.
.....
.....
.....
Terus, masalah. Masalah besar. Mendadak. Gak terduga sama sekali!!!!
Saya sampe nangis gak berenti-berenti!!!
Jahaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!! Jahat banget itu!
Udah tinggal menikah, batal CUMA karena hal begitu! Keterpaksaan itu!
Di awal pertemuan, bikin deg-degan sendiri.
Pertemuan berlanjut dan berkembang, bikin saya ikut-ikutan berharap.
Ketika akhirnya meluap dan tersampaikan, bikin saya malu sendiri.
Sampai ke adegan pinangan, saya sampai nangis saking terharunya dan berharap suatu saat nanti saya juga merasakannya dengan pria pilihan saya.
.....
.....
.....
Terus, masalah. Masalah besar. Mendadak. Gak terduga sama sekali!!!!
Saya sampe nangis gak berenti-berenti!!!
Jahaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!! Jahat banget itu!
Udah tinggal menikah, batal CUMA karena hal begitu! Keterpaksaan itu!
September 11, 2017
A Bride's Story, vol. 3, by Kaoru Mori, 207 pages.
It's been awhile since I was able to read the first 2 volumes. This volume is a bit of a side story, following the journey of Mr Smith, an English researcher studying the ways of the people living along the Silk Road in the 19th century. The main characters from the earlier volumes, Amir and Karluk, make a brief appearance. This volume features some insights as well as critiques of the marriage arrangement customs of their culture. It also features aspects of the hard lives they live and the amount of work the women must do to survive. The volume concludes with Mr Smith heartbroken. I'm anxious to see if his story is followed further.
It's been awhile since I was able to read the first 2 volumes. This volume is a bit of a side story, following the journey of Mr Smith, an English researcher studying the ways of the people living along the Silk Road in the 19th century. The main characters from the earlier volumes, Amir and Karluk, make a brief appearance. This volume features some insights as well as critiques of the marriage arrangement customs of their culture. It also features aspects of the hard lives they live and the amount of work the women must do to survive. The volume concludes with Mr Smith heartbroken. I'm anxious to see if his story is followed further.
April 20, 2021
I would’ve never pegged myself as a Manga reader, but I’m genuinely addicted to my first series at age 30. The ART. The HISTORY. It’s nice to read historical fiction that’s not America-centric (author or topic) or about WWII. Love that my favorite genre exists in gorgeous, immersive artwork too. I can’t get over how detailed it all is.
I was really wary about the marriage in the first book, but it seems to be handled delicately so far. It really forces you to think about how marriage functioned in nomadic society and why. Even moving from place to place affected how marriage worked, who you were married to, etc, and as such I felt like it had historical purpose outside of shock value.
I was really wary about the marriage in the first book, but it seems to be handled delicately so far. It really forces you to think about how marriage functioned in nomadic society and why. Even moving from place to place affected how marriage worked, who you were married to, etc, and as such I felt like it had historical purpose outside of shock value.
August 13, 2013
This volume takes off in a different direction than the first two. As the cover suggests, Amir is not the focus of this story. Instead, we've followed Mr. Smith to another village, where he meets a young widow named Talas. Unfortunately, we don't get to know Talas quite as well as we had Amir, and I get the sense that her story is well and truly over. That said, I think most of the people reading this series are here for the art above all, which is as beautiful and intricately detailed as ever.
November 10, 2012
This volume follows Mr. Smith as he continues on with his research and his journey toward Ankara. Talas is the "bride" who is introduced in this story.She is a widow who possesses a deep and quite strength. I loved Talas! We even get to see a bit of Amir, Karluk, and Pariya in this one, but I wish it was more. I still loved this volume. The art was beautiful, as always. The attention to cultural detail was very impressive. This is one of my favorite manga series, and I'll be dying to read the next one in January. So far away :-(
May 21, 2012
Do you like slice of life stories? In depth look at cultures far too neglected in fiction? Amazingly detailed and historically accurate art work? Adorable characters?
Check out Bride's Story Volume 3 today! 4 stars
P.S. Amir and Karluk reappear in this, for those who were worried we'd lose them after volume 2. :D
Check out Bride's Story Volume 3 today! 4 stars
P.S. Amir and Karluk reappear in this, for those who were worried we'd lose them after volume 2. :D
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