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The Pillow Book of the Flower Samurai
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA meets CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON - THE PILLOW BOOK OF THE FLOWER SAMURAI is a gorgeously vivid, fresh historical that instantly captures the imagination
480 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2012
20 people are currently reading
701 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Lazar
1 book12 followersI am an award-winning author who has studied Japanese (Heian) history and culture for over a decade. My office is packed with Japanese history books and articles and as many irises as I can find. I study sumie (Japanese brush) painting and plan to illustrate some of my children’s books. With a strong background in English Literature, I currently write and teach in San Antonio, Texas.
My current book is Pillow Book of the Flower Samurai (translated into Italian and Hungarian).
I am currently working on the sequel.
With the Japanese book-reading challenge, let me know what you think!
My current book is Pillow Book of the Flower Samurai (translated into Italian and Hungarian).
I am currently working on the sequel.
With the Japanese book-reading challenge, let me know what you think!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 25, 2020
According to the blurb, “in the rich, dazzling, brutal world of 12th century Japan” the heroine “is trained in the ancient warrior arts of the samurai”. My first thought was: Is this Heian Japan, or alternate reality Japan? Because at the time, the samurai and their warrior arts were about as ancient as the Internet is ancient for us now.
The problem with the Heian period is twofold: the little that was left, the little we know of that culture, is highly aristocratic, exclusive, and relevant to the lives of maybe less than 5% of the population. And it’s very unlike the stereotypical picture of Japan.
So there was no samurai culture yet – not the highly fetishized samurai mythos we are familiar with. The late Heian period was the time when samurai were an up-and-coming new group, in transition from bureaucrats in the employ of the nobility, to warriors with power of their own. The book sort of tries to depict this, but in a very haphazard kind of way. In the first part, they are a strange kind of a glorified bodyguard class, with their own firmly established code and training system (by the way, bokken, or wooden practice sword, is more of an Edo thing, and gomuyumi… you know that gomu is a katakana word for “gum”, and there was no rubber in Japan for about six hundred years?), then it turns out they can be owned by their masters like slaves, then there comes the moment of the very first seppuku in history… I was VERY confused.
Then the names jumped out at me. The heroine, a simple peasant girl, is pompously named Kozaishō. This is her only name. She’s a peasant girl, right? Then there is her samurai mentor – his name is Akio. 20th century name. There is a samurai boy named Uba. There is a PRIEST named Daigorō no Gorō, both of which are two very simple, common names, popular in the Edo period and after – and not Buddhist names at all, more like childhood names. There are Emi, Midori, Hitomi… names that came into use in 19th century at best. My favorite has got to be one Honorable Hiroshi. I’m dead serious. Hiroshi! It’s Heian period! Names and naming conventions were different! There are many instances when a Heian person is known only after the name of the residence they lived in, or after the court rank of their relative. Case in point: Sei Shōnagon. Hell, scholars are still not sure what Murasaki Shikibu’s real name was! Names make or break a historical book!
It didn’t start out bad at all, that’s why it had me fooled, although I should’ve known better when I read about the heroine’s peasant family talking about their “honor” at every turn. Even the matters of religion, which were treated sensible at first – the feng shui superstitions, the festivals – got muddled after a while. Shinto and Buddhism are mixed. The evil Buddhist priest is conducting a purification ritual and reciting prayers to Shinto gods (and slamming his prayer book!) to boot. The friend of the heroine, a little girl named Tashiko, is teaching her how to read, using the Lotus Sutra – “silver and gold squiggles on dark blue paper”. Anyone familiar with Japanese Buddhism knows that sutras were written in a script and language that had nothing to to with everyday life, and were impossible to understand for a layperson. The bodhisattva Kannon, opposed to any killing, is suddenly running errands for the samurai class: “The Goddess of Mercy came in a dream. She said I am to be a samurai.”
Yes, the heroine is a special girl who is allowed to train with the boys and later to become “a samurai” because she saw a bird or something… which doesn’t mean squat, apparently. She is sold and sent away to a Village of Outcasts, a place I had real trouble imagining – according to the descriptions, it was like an open-air brothel next to the tannery – tanneries stank, and were impure by the way – visited by aristocrats for some reason – how I was able to stand this without a stiff drink is beyond me – so she was there, and the madam (named Hitomi, by the way) tortured the girls daily with real torture implements, and leaving scars too – and the heroine, who’d been trained in the ancient arts of the samurai, stayed in that hellhole and bore everything stoically for 10 or 100 years… instead of going medieval on whoever was guarding her, because I don’t really remember any guards? She was ALLOWED TO TRAIN DAILY IN THE ANCIENT SAMURAI ARTS BEING A SEX SLAVE. Does it make sense? Does it?
Then she was bought out by a noble dude from the Taira clan. Became his wife: “Yes, Taira had become my clan due to my great sympathy for my husband.” It’s a very refined company, as the husband was “a sensitive poet, admired by Obāsan”, although there were some words “thrown at me like a shuriken”. Speaking of words, inago is a Japanese word for locust; the Japanese Buddhist term for fate (otherwise known as karma) is inga 因果.
Honestly, I do not wish this book on anyone. I’m not surprised some reviewers thought it takes place in China. No, as Alfred Jarry would say, it’s Japan, c’est-à-dire nulle part.
The problem with the Heian period is twofold: the little that was left, the little we know of that culture, is highly aristocratic, exclusive, and relevant to the lives of maybe less than 5% of the population. And it’s very unlike the stereotypical picture of Japan.
So there was no samurai culture yet – not the highly fetishized samurai mythos we are familiar with. The late Heian period was the time when samurai were an up-and-coming new group, in transition from bureaucrats in the employ of the nobility, to warriors with power of their own. The book sort of tries to depict this, but in a very haphazard kind of way. In the first part, they are a strange kind of a glorified bodyguard class, with their own firmly established code and training system (by the way, bokken, or wooden practice sword, is more of an Edo thing, and gomuyumi… you know that gomu is a katakana word for “gum”, and there was no rubber in Japan for about six hundred years?), then it turns out they can be owned by their masters like slaves, then there comes the moment of the very first seppuku in history… I was VERY confused.
Then the names jumped out at me. The heroine, a simple peasant girl, is pompously named Kozaishō. This is her only name. She’s a peasant girl, right? Then there is her samurai mentor – his name is Akio. 20th century name. There is a samurai boy named Uba. There is a PRIEST named Daigorō no Gorō, both of which are two very simple, common names, popular in the Edo period and after – and not Buddhist names at all, more like childhood names. There are Emi, Midori, Hitomi… names that came into use in 19th century at best. My favorite has got to be one Honorable Hiroshi. I’m dead serious. Hiroshi! It’s Heian period! Names and naming conventions were different! There are many instances when a Heian person is known only after the name of the residence they lived in, or after the court rank of their relative. Case in point: Sei Shōnagon. Hell, scholars are still not sure what Murasaki Shikibu’s real name was! Names make or break a historical book!
It didn’t start out bad at all, that’s why it had me fooled, although I should’ve known better when I read about the heroine’s peasant family talking about their “honor” at every turn. Even the matters of religion, which were treated sensible at first – the feng shui superstitions, the festivals – got muddled after a while. Shinto and Buddhism are mixed. The evil Buddhist priest is conducting a purification ritual and reciting prayers to Shinto gods (and slamming his prayer book!) to boot. The friend of the heroine, a little girl named Tashiko, is teaching her how to read, using the Lotus Sutra – “silver and gold squiggles on dark blue paper”. Anyone familiar with Japanese Buddhism knows that sutras were written in a script and language that had nothing to to with everyday life, and were impossible to understand for a layperson. The bodhisattva Kannon, opposed to any killing, is suddenly running errands for the samurai class: “The Goddess of Mercy came in a dream. She said I am to be a samurai.”
Yes, the heroine is a special girl who is allowed to train with the boys and later to become “a samurai” because she saw a bird or something… which doesn’t mean squat, apparently. She is sold and sent away to a Village of Outcasts, a place I had real trouble imagining – according to the descriptions, it was like an open-air brothel next to the tannery – tanneries stank, and were impure by the way – visited by aristocrats for some reason – how I was able to stand this without a stiff drink is beyond me – so she was there, and the madam (named Hitomi, by the way) tortured the girls daily with real torture implements, and leaving scars too – and the heroine, who’d been trained in the ancient arts of the samurai, stayed in that hellhole and bore everything stoically for 10 or 100 years… instead of going medieval on whoever was guarding her, because I don’t really remember any guards? She was ALLOWED TO TRAIN DAILY IN THE ANCIENT SAMURAI ARTS BEING A SEX SLAVE. Does it make sense? Does it?
Then she was bought out by a noble dude from the Taira clan. Became his wife: “Yes, Taira had become my clan due to my great sympathy for my husband.” It’s a very refined company, as the husband was “a sensitive poet, admired by Obāsan”, although there were some words “thrown at me like a shuriken”. Speaking of words, inago is a Japanese word for locust; the Japanese Buddhist term for fate (otherwise known as karma) is inga 因果.
Honestly, I do not wish this book on anyone. I’m not surprised some reviewers thought it takes place in China. No, as Alfred Jarry would say, it’s Japan, c’est-à-dire nulle part.
January 12, 2014
Did anyone else think it was a story about hippie Japanese warriors? No? Good... neither did I.
The first few pages were promising, really heart-wrenching stuff. Anyone who doesn't find being sold so that your family won't starve heart-wrenching has no heart to wrench. Lazar delivers tasteful and pretty descriptions of Japanese culture and scenery (with particular emphasis on honor being held in the highest regard at the core of Japanese values) but with little variation throughout. The deaths and battles seem too clean, even Kozaisho's eventual act of vengeance seems rather anticlimactic.
I got the sense that Lazar was trying to emulate the lightness and delicacy that typified Japanese literature in her style of writing, but as a consequence of that, the character of Kozaisho felt very emotionally distant, particularly when she was in the Village of Outcasts, and even when she was with Tashiko.
Towards the end, I felt the story got a lot sloppier, particularly in the way Kozaisho was uncharacteristically incautious with her choice of words about her pregnancy, the suddenness of Three Eye's demise and just...just
**historic moment for Rachel's first ever use of Gif in a review.**
I think, The Pillow Book was surprising in the way that it didn't do anything surprising. With the obvious omens from the Gods about Kozaisho's greatness as a Samurai, one would think she'd have a more glorious history of badassery and awesomeness to show for it, with vanquished foes by the hundreds or at the very least, tens. And all the build-up for revenge, all the political tension between her and the other wives, the tension between her and Tokikazu (who I like to imagine as Takeshi Kaneshiro) just seem like storytelling opportunities wasted. And goodness knows Lazar loves stories. One can hardly go 10 pages without Kozaisho telling a story within a story.
Overall, it was a mixed bag for me. I definitely didn't not like it, but it fell short of expectations.
The first few pages were promising, really heart-wrenching stuff. Anyone who doesn't find being sold so that your family won't starve heart-wrenching has no heart to wrench. Lazar delivers tasteful and pretty descriptions of Japanese culture and scenery (with particular emphasis on honor being held in the highest regard at the core of Japanese values) but with little variation throughout. The deaths and battles seem too clean, even Kozaisho's eventual act of vengeance seems rather anticlimactic.
I got the sense that Lazar was trying to emulate the lightness and delicacy that typified Japanese literature in her style of writing, but as a consequence of that, the character of Kozaisho felt very emotionally distant, particularly when she was in the Village of Outcasts, and even when she was with Tashiko.
Towards the end, I felt the story got a lot sloppier, particularly in the way Kozaisho was uncharacteristically incautious with her choice of words about her pregnancy, the suddenness of Three Eye's demise and just...just
**historic moment for Rachel's first ever use of Gif in a review.**
I think, The Pillow Book was surprising in the way that it didn't do anything surprising. With the obvious omens from the Gods about Kozaisho's greatness as a Samurai, one would think she'd have a more glorious history of badassery and awesomeness to show for it, with vanquished foes by the hundreds or at the very least, tens. And all the build-up for revenge, all the political tension between her and the other wives, the tension between her and Tokikazu (who I like to imagine as Takeshi Kaneshiro) just seem like storytelling opportunities wasted. And goodness knows Lazar loves stories. One can hardly go 10 pages without Kozaisho telling a story within a story.
Overall, it was a mixed bag for me. I definitely didn't not like it, but it fell short of expectations.
July 6, 2012
In 12th century Japan a little girl called Kozaisho is sold by her family to a local dignitary in exchange for more land. Caught up in events she at first doesn't understand, the book portrays her life from childhood to adulthood as a storyteller, geisha, lover, wife and samurai.
The publisher describes this book as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon meets Memoirs of a Geisha and there's a lot of truth in that. However,to me the book seemed more of a portrait of a woman's inner life. Kozaisho lives in a society with rigid rules about women's place and is always owned by someone, so her thoughts and her actions cannot always match. This duality is very interesting for the reader.
This is a good historical novel exposing a world that many of us in the West know nothing about. I'm always a bit dubious about books that start with a list of characters and maps as it means I start reading with a worry that I won't able to follow what's going on without lots of flicking back and forward to the reference pages. This novel has more background material that I think I've ever seen in a work of fiction - a historical note, cast of characters, maps, an introduction, a glossary, author's notes, genealogy of the clans in the book. However, I didn't need to refer to them while I was reading the book as everything I needed to know was included in the text. Perhaps using the reference material would have made the book a richer experience, but I was looking to be swept up in the story and characters rather than for a history lesson - I find that having to stop reading to refer to a glossary spoils the experience of the book.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to lovers of historical fiction looking for something away from the usual European Kings and Queens type of book.
The publisher describes this book as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon meets Memoirs of a Geisha and there's a lot of truth in that. However,to me the book seemed more of a portrait of a woman's inner life. Kozaisho lives in a society with rigid rules about women's place and is always owned by someone, so her thoughts and her actions cannot always match. This duality is very interesting for the reader.
This is a good historical novel exposing a world that many of us in the West know nothing about. I'm always a bit dubious about books that start with a list of characters and maps as it means I start reading with a worry that I won't able to follow what's going on without lots of flicking back and forward to the reference pages. This novel has more background material that I think I've ever seen in a work of fiction - a historical note, cast of characters, maps, an introduction, a glossary, author's notes, genealogy of the clans in the book. However, I didn't need to refer to them while I was reading the book as everything I needed to know was included in the text. Perhaps using the reference material would have made the book a richer experience, but I was looking to be swept up in the story and characters rather than for a history lesson - I find that having to stop reading to refer to a glossary spoils the experience of the book.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to lovers of historical fiction looking for something away from the usual European Kings and Queens type of book.
September 3, 2017
I have a weakness for historical fiction set in Japan, and a great part of this is due to being spellbound by "Memoirs of a Geisha" at the age of 14 (too young to even really appreciate it!) It is fascinating enough to read about the courts and castles of Europe and England, but even more enthralling to visit the exoticism of China and Japan.
"The Pillow Book of the Flower Samurai" is not a boring book. It follows the progress of Fifth Daughter, a poor, young farm girl, to Lady Kozaisho, wife of a Chancellor and trained in the samurai arts. Her world is exquisitely detailed, and author Barbara Lazar has done her research. The reader is given a rich glimpse into Japan hundreds of years ago. Kozaisho is a compelling character - she is tough, smart and interesting. Her rise through the ranks of society is due in part to her ability to tell dazzling stories.
And yet. Barbara Lazar, is not a gifted storyteller. Far too repetitive. Facts are repeated three times in as many paragraphs. The storyline feels choppy, and not in terms of timeline, but in terms of sentence and thought transition. It almost felt like I was reading an unedited copy. While attention to historical accuracy was treated with importance, it felt as if the whole thing was missing...spice. Such an interesting setting and story idea, such mediocre presentation.
"The Pillow Book of the Flower Samurai" is not a boring book. It follows the progress of Fifth Daughter, a poor, young farm girl, to Lady Kozaisho, wife of a Chancellor and trained in the samurai arts. Her world is exquisitely detailed, and author Barbara Lazar has done her research. The reader is given a rich glimpse into Japan hundreds of years ago. Kozaisho is a compelling character - she is tough, smart and interesting. Her rise through the ranks of society is due in part to her ability to tell dazzling stories.
And yet. Barbara Lazar, is not a gifted storyteller. Far too repetitive. Facts are repeated three times in as many paragraphs. The storyline feels choppy, and not in terms of timeline, but in terms of sentence and thought transition. It almost felt like I was reading an unedited copy. While attention to historical accuracy was treated with importance, it felt as if the whole thing was missing...spice. Such an interesting setting and story idea, such mediocre presentation.
September 8, 2021
Memoirs of a Geisha feat Mulan. That's wholly on how I can describe this book. This book solely told a story of this one person, Kozaisho, the wife of Taira no Michimori the governor of Echizen province during Heian period in Japan, from childhood to the moment of her death. I can conclude that this is a historical fiction book written based on the life of Taira no Michimori because what I had read was quite different from what was portrayed in this book. For example, Kozaisho was born as a minister's daughter while in this book, it was written that she was from a poor, farmer's family. And many other information that were different from what I had read and from what was written in this book.
Despite that, I still enjoy this book. I'm just not a fan when it comes to the war and politics' discussions part. The poetries and stories told together by Kozaisho were also beautiful and magnificent. I don't think the real life Kozaisho was trained as a samurai in her life, but for the fictional one in this book, I admired her spirit.
Despite that, I still enjoy this book. I'm just not a fan when it comes to the war and politics' discussions part. The poetries and stories told together by Kozaisho were also beautiful and magnificent. I don't think the real life Kozaisho was trained as a samurai in her life, but for the fictional one in this book, I admired her spirit.
March 27, 2023
DNF. The premise was interesting, but the writing style was a bit strange and I didn’t feel emotionally connected to the characters at all.
May 7, 2013
In a lot of ways, this book reminded me of "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" and "Memoirs of a Geisha". The story revolves around Kozaisho who was sold by her family as a young girl in exchange for land. She starts her new life as a dancing girl for the entertainment of her owner and his visitors. During this time, she comes to admire the samurai warriors whom she watches practice and is eventually tutored in their skills by a samurai named Akio. Kozaisho's talents in entertainment soon lead her to be sold to a madam who molds her into a Woman-for-Play. Kozaisho's new role earns her many admirers who visit her not only for her beauty but also for the stories she tells the men during their time with her. She also develops a deep friendship and romantic/sexual relationship with her fellow Woman-for-Play, Tashiko. Tashiko is eventually murdered by a high status priest and Kozaisho make's it her life's mission to avenge her murder. Basically, to sum up the second half of this 500 page book, Kozaisho is "rescused"/married by a Governor who allows her to continue her revenge and in fact helps her in her mission. The book moves quickly which was a GIANT bonus for me as I'm really sick of epic asian historical fiction that involve 42 different storylines. I was still annoyed with the plethora of unnecessary details but it wasn't overwhelming to the story. I think if I were more serious about books being true to history, I'd be really bothered by Kozaisho's samurai practice. Everything I've read says that women would never be brought into battle with men...I don't know...oh, and there is a crazy amount of typos in the finished version of this book....I guess bottom line is that it wasn't offensively bad but one of the best things I can say about it is that it moves quickly...recommended to people who are desperate to read something remotely similar to the above mentioned books...
May 27, 2018
Stayed up past 11pm last night finishing this book. It's not the easiest read - particularly when you realise how young Kozaisho is when she's sold. Equally, the author only occasionally goes into graphic detail, but you are still aware of her situation. Perhaps it is made all the more shocking by the fact that in the West, we tend to romanticise Samurai-era Japan as a place where everyone behaved honourably and properly. We tend to overlook that poverty led people into desperate actions - and that there were people willing to exploit that.
Female samurai were relatively common and I liked that thread of the novel. You see the development of Kozaisho as she grows from abused child to eventually becoming the Samurai of the title.
I liked that the novel explores an era that Western, English-language historical novelists don't tend to write about, but it is not the fluffy, romantic read that the cover may lead you to expect. It is quite harrowing in places, so may be disturbing/triggering for some readers.
Female samurai were relatively common and I liked that thread of the novel. You see the development of Kozaisho as she grows from abused child to eventually becoming the Samurai of the title.
I liked that the novel explores an era that Western, English-language historical novelists don't tend to write about, but it is not the fluffy, romantic read that the cover may lead you to expect. It is quite harrowing in places, so may be disturbing/triggering for some readers.
August 25, 2017
Enjoyed the way how each character developed especially Kozaisho. Not familiar with Japanese history but telling the story from the perspective of the defeated was refreshing. The concept of honor, samurai, loyalty and obedience portrayed in the story left a strong impact as well.
November 21, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed is book. It gives an interesting insight into life in 12th century Japan, as it's based upon the diaries found buried with bodies from that time. Highly recommended.
March 17, 2013
An eye-opener in to how women and little girls were treated- and how 'priests' and everything they did in the name of religion was intertwined with corruption and abuse.
December 16, 2019
Usually love this sort of subject matter. This however was boring as hell....must have been the writing...
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April 5, 2021I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book, but I'm sure it was not quite what it turned out to be. Set in 12th century Japan, this is the story of a young girl sold so that her family can gain land, who ends up with a rather unexpected destiny.
On the whole it was a fascinating saga and study of a culture and era which I had only read a little about previously. Apparently the author, while trying to be accurate about the rituals, castes, religions, superstitions and customs, did add a lot of bathing to suit modern sensibility, which I find rather amusing.
I found the story very moving.
On the whole it was a fascinating saga and study of a culture and era which I had only read a little about previously. Apparently the author, while trying to be accurate about the rituals, castes, religions, superstitions and customs, did add a lot of bathing to suit modern sensibility, which I find rather amusing.
I found the story very moving.
March 14, 2016
I'm quite fascinated by Japanese culture so when I saw this book described as a cross between Memoirs of a Geisha and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon I was immediately curious. A pillow book is essentially a personal journal, named as the journal would be stored under the owners pillow where they slept. This story follows Kozaisho, who we are introduced to as fifth daughter while only a child and who we follow through her life as detailed by her pillow book.
This book was highly interesting and I read it quite quickly despite its size. The beliefs of the Japanese culture and of the Samurai are fascinating, dealing with the concepts of honour and keeping on the right path. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about them in more detail. Kozaisho was an intriguing and unique character to have as a protagonist. Her development though the book, across her life was immense and from what I can tell she was a pretty kick-ass female for her time. Deadly and intelligent and I enjoyed the portrayal of a strong female character back in a time when women didn't have as many rights.
The only part of the novel I found could have improved the experience for me would be if it was told in more of a narrative way. This is more my own preference than a criticism of the book as it is all there in the title: the book was described as a journal and was written that way. I also found the voice of Kozaisho was a tad unbelievable at times in particular when she was a child. The voice read as a much older character in my mind and I struggle to comprehend her as a child at times.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read which I recommend particularly if you have an interest in Japanese culture. The ending is quite haunting and brings the whole story to a fitting conclusion. I give this book three Japanese cherry blossoms.
This book was highly interesting and I read it quite quickly despite its size. The beliefs of the Japanese culture and of the Samurai are fascinating, dealing with the concepts of honour and keeping on the right path. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about them in more detail. Kozaisho was an intriguing and unique character to have as a protagonist. Her development though the book, across her life was immense and from what I can tell she was a pretty kick-ass female for her time. Deadly and intelligent and I enjoyed the portrayal of a strong female character back in a time when women didn't have as many rights.
The only part of the novel I found could have improved the experience for me would be if it was told in more of a narrative way. This is more my own preference than a criticism of the book as it is all there in the title: the book was described as a journal and was written that way. I also found the voice of Kozaisho was a tad unbelievable at times in particular when she was a child. The voice read as a much older character in my mind and I struggle to comprehend her as a child at times.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read which I recommend particularly if you have an interest in Japanese culture. The ending is quite haunting and brings the whole story to a fitting conclusion. I give this book three Japanese cherry blossoms.
September 19, 2013
Almost a 3, rather more a 2.5- but I was generous because of some beautiful passages. But it is overlong and too filled with martial minutia for my taste. The character development for different central characters was also uneven, IMHO. We know our heroine- but much got lost of the huge and complex family/power tribal/ city state feudal lords. Most of those are patchy considering the length of this book.
To say this book was just about women's worth as a product to be sold or used- that was the case for most humans as serfs or peasants in that society and culture. Men also. On the other side of the world as well at that time of nation/state or "big man" economic development- serfs were property - part of the land ownership. This was the high time of samurai as a noble class, with completely different rights and obligations than serf or commoner classes.
A pillow book is a dairy kept under the futon pillow end. Diaries do end abruptly. Even the most famous, all do. They don't have tied up ends/ closures like a one hour tv show. So I took the days here as she saw them and enjoyed the descriptive parts the most.
To say this book was just about women's worth as a product to be sold or used- that was the case for most humans as serfs or peasants in that society and culture. Men also. On the other side of the world as well at that time of nation/state or "big man" economic development- serfs were property - part of the land ownership. This was the high time of samurai as a noble class, with completely different rights and obligations than serf or commoner classes.
A pillow book is a dairy kept under the futon pillow end. Diaries do end abruptly. Even the most famous, all do. They don't have tied up ends/ closures like a one hour tv show. So I took the days here as she saw them and enjoyed the descriptive parts the most.
August 20, 2019
For a non-native of the land and culture, the author managed to depict the setting very well, down to the minor details and history as well. I had no expectations of this book but I was surprised at how invested I was at the very end. The were surprises, character development and an expanding plot. This is not a book for the whimsical or for happy endings, she takes you on a journey, of a young girl to fought to control the life that was prematurely snatched from her. Of sufferings, love, honour & war. *i dont give spoilers*
I would definitely recommend this book and I would reread it as well.
I would definitely recommend this book and I would reread it as well.
May 9, 2018
Just didn't grab me the way I hoped it would. I ended up skimming the last third and not really reading it as deeply. The first two-thirds were just one bad thing after another, anxiety, powerlessness, etc. Eventually the character achieves some measure of efficacy, but it takes too long in the novel to get to that point. Definitely not a BAD book, but just not really great either.
January 3, 2017
Do you want to become a highly lauded sex worker in ancient Japan?! Well, have I got a book for you!
The first, small part of the book was compelling. The rest...I had to keep asking myself, 'What book am I reading again?'
The first, small part of the book was compelling. The rest...I had to keep asking myself, 'What book am I reading again?'
August 18, 2017
The stereotypes and historical inaccuracies were unreal. I did not care for the writing style, which is ashame because this type of historical fiction is usually right up my ally. Maybe it would have worked better if it was written as a fantasy novel...
April 15, 2019
Parts were interesting, but the plot really dragged and I kept feeling I was missing something, as if an explanation had been edited out. I also felt I was expected to be more familiar with the culture than I was.
March 10, 2019
I can't express enough how wonderful this story is...
October 22, 2024
I had no idea what this book was when I picked up off the shelves of the library. I was a bit surprised to find out that it was proper historical fiction set in imperial Japan about a thousand years ago. Probably because it's historical fiction I found that I wasn't able to read it as fast as other books that I will pick up. The language is quite heavy and the setting and use of Japanese terms and naming conventions slowed me down. I also found the sentence construction quite difficult. There's a lot of characters that I couldn't keep on top of, large portions of the book are told in the form of allegory and poetry. I often felt that I didn't really know what was going on. Despite the challenges that I had reading the book I found the depth of description and the world building to be really rich it felt very authentic. Some elements of the story didn't make sense to me. It was often overly contrived and has a lot of gaps in the narrative. I wondered if this was due to the author attempting to emulate a style of writing which is more typical to the time or the region.
The main thing I learned reading this book was that ancient Japanese culture is so different from anything I recognized as a modern Western person. I found it quite difficult to accept some of those cultural differences and this was challenging but incredibly interesting to learn that such cultures existed and to know a bit more about them. For this I found it a worthwhile investment of my time.
The main thing I learned reading this book was that ancient Japanese culture is so different from anything I recognized as a modern Western person. I found it quite difficult to accept some of those cultural differences and this was challenging but incredibly interesting to learn that such cultures existed and to know a bit more about them. For this I found it a worthwhile investment of my time.
August 27, 2021
Short review! Not many opinions on this book.
The writing is at times awkward, but for the most part it is simple and elegant prose. I very much enjoyed the small poems scattered throughout the book, meant to describe a character's thoughts and feelings in more depth than if they had just said, "I am sad." Very lovely.
Some aspects of the plot I did not enjoy, but I cannot deny that the entire journey was intriguing. I very much sympathised with the main character Kozaisho, and I was rooting for her successes. I liked how the beginning tied in with the ending, so that the entire story is complete; a circle, a satisfying finish. You are not left wondering what happens next.
I really enjoyed the author's extensive detail when it came to the rich culture and history of the setting; I was not lost when the characters discussed politics and engaged in battles. It was, as a conclusion, a very interesting ride!
The writing is at times awkward, but for the most part it is simple and elegant prose. I very much enjoyed the small poems scattered throughout the book, meant to describe a character's thoughts and feelings in more depth than if they had just said, "I am sad." Very lovely.
Some aspects of the plot I did not enjoy, but I cannot deny that the entire journey was intriguing. I very much sympathised with the main character Kozaisho, and I was rooting for her successes. I liked how the beginning tied in with the ending, so that the entire story is complete; a circle, a satisfying finish. You are not left wondering what happens next.
I really enjoyed the author's extensive detail when it came to the rich culture and history of the setting; I was not lost when the characters discussed politics and engaged in battles. It was, as a conclusion, a very interesting ride!
January 31, 2019
Based upon a collection of diaries found next to the bones of a man and woman dating back to the Heian era (794 to 1185) in Japan, Barbara Lazar has turned these musing into a story. However, The Pillow Book of the Flower Samurai takes too many liberties and fails to deliver by losing its readers in poor writing.
Although the premise is unique, throughout the novel Lazar stretches the truth until disbelief can no longer be suspended. From the very beginning with her foreword by ‘Dr Isabell ‘Izzy’ Jenkins’, who doesn’t appear to exist at all (unless she’s currently calling herself Liz and teaching Economics at Arizona), right to the ending where unlikely event after unlikely event is heaped onto the reader.
[...] Find my full review here.
Although the premise is unique, throughout the novel Lazar stretches the truth until disbelief can no longer be suspended. From the very beginning with her foreword by ‘Dr Isabell ‘Izzy’ Jenkins’, who doesn’t appear to exist at all (unless she’s currently calling herself Liz and teaching Economics at Arizona), right to the ending where unlikely event after unlikely event is heaped onto the reader.
[...] Find my full review here.
February 7, 2020
3.5 stars
Overall pretty good, but there were a few lengths and at times it was fairly complicated. So many characters... And I'm not sure how the MC went from Fifth Daughter to Kozaisho, that was really confusing. I even asked a friend who knows far more about Japan than me, but she couldn't help either.
And a minor pet peeve: I hate it when authors constantly use cursive for foreign words. It's okay to do it once, so you realize that's a word that's explained in the glossary, but I don't need it every single time. Especially since it was kind of inconsistent here.
Overall pretty good, but there were a few lengths and at times it was fairly complicated. So many characters... And I'm not sure how the MC went from Fifth Daughter to Kozaisho, that was really confusing. I even asked a friend who knows far more about Japan than me, but she couldn't help either.
And a minor pet peeve: I hate it when authors constantly use cursive for foreign words. It's okay to do it once, so you realize that's a word that's explained in the glossary, but I don't need it every single time. Especially since it was kind of inconsistent here.
July 5, 2024
A vapid, stupid book, full of abuse and rape. It almost reads like it was written by a man, given just how much sex and violent abuse of women there is. A shallow main character who allows herself to be hurt out of "duty", and kills herself instead of taking care of her own child. Total waste of my time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2020
I kept seeing it in my library (it is a wide spine and a nicely designed one at that). One day I got it. One of the most amazing books I have ever read. Some of it was a sign of the times about the time period it was written, but it was really amazing.
February 27, 2023
It was a refreshing change to read a historical novel set in medieval Japan. Although it seemed more like a fairy tale than historical, I felt for the main character. All the war stuff near the end was hard to keep straight.
October 1, 2023
Started off strong, but around halfway it turned for the worse. Battle tactics and politics are cramped into 3 to 4 confusing sentences with varying code names. Emotional conflict within the characters are not adressed with the attention they'd deserve
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