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The Shogun Quartet #4
Across a Bridge of Dreams
1873. Taka, the daughter of a famous general and his geisha mistress, is just thirteen when Nobu, an impoverished lad from a defeated enemy clan, comes to work as a servant in her house. Sensing he is more than he seems, she is drown towards him. But Japan is heading for a bitter civil war, driving them apart and threatening to turn their lives upside down. Taka soon realizes that she will have to make a dreadful choice - between her family and the man she loves ....
Based on the true story of the "last samurai" The samurai's daughter is an epic tale of a nation divided and a love that can never be.
Based on the true story of the "last samurai" The samurai's daughter is an epic tale of a nation divided and a love that can never be.
556 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2012
33 people are currently reading
791 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Downer
28 books256 followersI write historical fiction set in Japan - women’s untold stories, largely true and based on meticulous and detailed research, though primarily, of course, good yarns. I’ve just finished The Shogun’s Queen, the fourth of The Shogun Quartet, four novels set in the nineteenth century during the tumultuous fifteen years when Japan was convulsed by civil war and transformed from rule by the shoguns into a society that looked to the west.
Preorder: http://bit.ly/TheShogunsQueen
The second, The Last Concubine, was shortlisted for Romantic Novel of the Year 2009 and translated into 30 languages. The other two novels are The Courtesan and the Samurai and The Samurai’s Daughter. My non-fiction on Japan includes Geisha: The Remarkable Truth Behind the Fiction and Madame Sadayakko: The Geisha who Seduced the West. I’m also a journalist and travel writer, give lectures and teach Creative Writing at City University in London.
Preorder: http://bit.ly/TheShogunsQueen
The second, The Last Concubine, was shortlisted for Romantic Novel of the Year 2009 and translated into 30 languages. The other two novels are The Courtesan and the Samurai and The Samurai’s Daughter. My non-fiction on Japan includes Geisha: The Remarkable Truth Behind the Fiction and Madame Sadayakko: The Geisha who Seduced the West. I’m also a journalist and travel writer, give lectures and teach Creative Writing at City University in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
April 24, 2021
This took me much longer to finish that I expected. I wished I was more invested in it at the end as I was in the beginning.
First and foremost the story is set in a Japanese world envisioned by us, the outsiders. For us feudal Japan has a strange appeal, a place where time had stopped between a strict cultural propaganda and changing world barging upon its shores. Japan and China are the central places when the word Asia is brought up. Up to the point that the blatant racism stretches out its evil hands for all with that as its backbone. I shall stop there with that certain rant. This story is a simple romance novel. Nothing to get serious about.
As I mentioned above the story is set during a time in Japan that everything was in chaos, a chaos that began with a change in the tide of culture in Japan, a rather delicate position. In the backdrop of war between the modern nationalist and loyal samurais we have a forbidden Romeo and Juliet that instead of Capulets and Montagues we have the Aizus and Satsumas. There is nothing incredibly great in the plot. It's the same old recipe that many authors love to spin with a dash of some extra spice. The same old our families are enemies but not us with the only exception of showing somewhat a bittersweet yet happy ending. A small chance that our young lovers may end up surviving. Maybe they will, maybe they won't but by the end of the book it really did not matter to me
Unfortunately for me I could not get my hands on the previous books as I stumbled upon this by accident in a bookshop and ended buying it due to my love for Asian novels. Despite my rather lukewarm response to this particular book, I surely will give the author's books another chance.
First and foremost the story is set in a Japanese world envisioned by us, the outsiders. For us feudal Japan has a strange appeal, a place where time had stopped between a strict cultural propaganda and changing world barging upon its shores. Japan and China are the central places when the word Asia is brought up. Up to the point that the blatant racism stretches out its evil hands for all with that as its backbone. I shall stop there with that certain rant. This story is a simple romance novel. Nothing to get serious about.
As I mentioned above the story is set during a time in Japan that everything was in chaos, a chaos that began with a change in the tide of culture in Japan, a rather delicate position. In the backdrop of war between the modern nationalist and loyal samurais we have a forbidden Romeo and Juliet that instead of Capulets and Montagues we have the Aizus and Satsumas. There is nothing incredibly great in the plot. It's the same old recipe that many authors love to spin with a dash of some extra spice. The same old our families are enemies but not us with the only exception of showing somewhat a bittersweet yet happy ending. A small chance that our young lovers may end up surviving. Maybe they will, maybe they won't but by the end of the book it really did not matter to me
Unfortunately for me I could not get my hands on the previous books as I stumbled upon this by accident in a bookshop and ended buying it due to my love for Asian novels. Despite my rather lukewarm response to this particular book, I surely will give the author's books another chance.
January 14, 2016
La Downer è riuscita ad incantarmi, di nuovo!
La Figlia della Concubina è un romanzo estremamente semplice, di base la storia è già stata ampiamente affrontata da tanti e più celebri autori: due innamorati appartenenti a due clan rivali, che sfidano il destino per far trionfare il loro legame. Come ho detto, storia già sentita.
Quello che rende però speciale questo libro è la narrazione.
La Downer trascina il lettore in un mondo passato, in un Paese diviso, patria di tradizioni particolari, speciali e antichissime. Il lettore si immerge così in una storia di Clan, politica, samurai e guerra e lo fa in una maniera estremamente delicata.
Le capacità narrative dell’autrice sono innegabili. È capace di far percepire al lettore tutta la bellezza della cultura giapponese con descrizioni molto dettagliate, mai pesanti e che, invece, risultano poetiche e intense. Con la Downer si sperimenta un sentimento d’amore fatto di sguardi, promesse sussurrate, gesti segreti e baci rubati, niente viene portato all’eccesso perché, altrimenti, ogni cosa perderebbe il suo potere di incantare.
Altra punta di diamante del libro è, secondo me, la ricostruzione storica. Questo romanzo permette al lettore di conoscere diverse sfumature di una cultura molto diversa da quella di appartenenza, l’autrice mette nero su bianco tutti gli usi e i costumi del popolo giapponese di fine 800 diviso tra doveri familiari, una radicata tradizione e la voglia e il bisogno di modernità.
Questa lettura non è solo un romanzo, è l’opportunità di conoscere un altro Paese e la sua storia.
Bellissimo libro!
La Figlia della Concubina è un romanzo estremamente semplice, di base la storia è già stata ampiamente affrontata da tanti e più celebri autori: due innamorati appartenenti a due clan rivali, che sfidano il destino per far trionfare il loro legame. Come ho detto, storia già sentita.
Quello che rende però speciale questo libro è la narrazione.
La Downer trascina il lettore in un mondo passato, in un Paese diviso, patria di tradizioni particolari, speciali e antichissime. Il lettore si immerge così in una storia di Clan, politica, samurai e guerra e lo fa in una maniera estremamente delicata.
Le capacità narrative dell’autrice sono innegabili. È capace di far percepire al lettore tutta la bellezza della cultura giapponese con descrizioni molto dettagliate, mai pesanti e che, invece, risultano poetiche e intense. Con la Downer si sperimenta un sentimento d’amore fatto di sguardi, promesse sussurrate, gesti segreti e baci rubati, niente viene portato all’eccesso perché, altrimenti, ogni cosa perderebbe il suo potere di incantare.
Altra punta di diamante del libro è, secondo me, la ricostruzione storica. Questo romanzo permette al lettore di conoscere diverse sfumature di una cultura molto diversa da quella di appartenenza, l’autrice mette nero su bianco tutti gli usi e i costumi del popolo giapponese di fine 800 diviso tra doveri familiari, una radicata tradizione e la voglia e il bisogno di modernità.
Questa lettura non è solo un romanzo, è l’opportunità di conoscere un altro Paese e la sua storia.
Bellissimo libro!
October 8, 2020
There’s something that draws me to the old times and old tales. Specially Japan and their ways has always fascinated me. When I started reading the Samurai’s Daughter (later published as ‘Across a bridge of dreams’), I knew I will fall for it. Set in late 1800s at the end of the Samurai era, it tells a heart wrenching tale of the last days of the old ways.
So beautifully written with such flawless language, this books fills its pages with sadness, sorrow, happiness and love that runs so deep. Believe me it takes you on a journey to a magical land and people with honor and values. It shows how meaningless all those boundaries we build ourselves based on hollow reasons. Enemy or no enemy, the bottom line is there’s always that spark which will become a flame that’ll burn those boundaries.
It is a story about love, no doubt but the beauty of it is how it’s all being told. Personally I would’ve hated it if it was just blabbering about the love between two young people from two different clans trying to get to each other. Downer has indeed foregone that tasteless storytelling and created a tale that gives a whole lot of meaning to the concept called ‘love’. From the beginning it was puzzle with mismatching pieces. A southern samurai and his Geisha, their offsprings, their daughter falling in love with a Northern samurai, their struggles in a changing country with a roaring civil war and the respect for people no matter where they come from is absolutely beautifully written.
I couldn’t find a single thing that can be labeled as ‘bad’ or ‘distasteful’ in the whole book. If it wasn’t for work, I would’ve finished it in a day or two.
2020 popsugar reading challenge: "A book set in Japan, host of the 2020 Olympics”
Book 61 of 2020
So beautifully written with such flawless language, this books fills its pages with sadness, sorrow, happiness and love that runs so deep. Believe me it takes you on a journey to a magical land and people with honor and values. It shows how meaningless all those boundaries we build ourselves based on hollow reasons. Enemy or no enemy, the bottom line is there’s always that spark which will become a flame that’ll burn those boundaries.
It is a story about love, no doubt but the beauty of it is how it’s all being told. Personally I would’ve hated it if it was just blabbering about the love between two young people from two different clans trying to get to each other. Downer has indeed foregone that tasteless storytelling and created a tale that gives a whole lot of meaning to the concept called ‘love’. From the beginning it was puzzle with mismatching pieces. A southern samurai and his Geisha, their offsprings, their daughter falling in love with a Northern samurai, their struggles in a changing country with a roaring civil war and the respect for people no matter where they come from is absolutely beautifully written.
I couldn’t find a single thing that can be labeled as ‘bad’ or ‘distasteful’ in the whole book. If it wasn’t for work, I would’ve finished it in a day or two.
2020 popsugar reading challenge: "A book set in Japan, host of the 2020 Olympics”
Book 61 of 2020
December 10, 2020
Loved the Meiji atmosphere and the details (ah, by the way, Kodenma Prison wasn’t functioning at the time, that would be Ichigaya)… but was disappointed at the end. The storyline was meh – a Romeo and Juliet story of sorts, only he is not really a poor servant, he’s a prince, read: a samurai. He even has “an aristocratic nose”! She is a willowy, tiny girl, an illegitimate daughter of Saigo Takamori, oops pardon, a General Kitaoka, and his geisha mistress, so she is a samurai too. They almost die, but almost, during the Seinan War of 1877.
What is it with the long-suffering samurai, folks? Can we not laugh at them, like the Japanese do? Why so serious? Why are all the people of the other classes vulgar, fat, obnoxious bullies? So the geishas hated the fat merchants and loved the samurai? Yeah right. Please go watch some kabuki. Samurai were pompous, penniless bores, and cut very sorry figures in Edo-period pleasure districts. Also “samurai took orders from no one” – what? Taking orders was about the only thing samurai did. Taking orders was their purpose in life.
But whatever, really, I don’t mind samurai that much. The thing which spoiled my enjoyment of the book was the sidestepping of the real historical issues which were the reason for the whole Satsuma rebellion. General Kitaoka, the father of the heroine and the samurai in the title – in reality Saigo Takamori – is shown as the benevolent, simple warrior opposed to the corruption of the politicians in Tokyo and the slow death of the samurai class. The reader is only told this; there is no politics whatsoever in the whole book. The drunken rants of the heroine’s brother don’t count.
What the book doesn’t say a thing about is that Saigo Takamori resigned from all of his government positions in protest, because his colleagues were against his proposition of a punitive expedition to Korea. By provoking a war abroad, Saigo was determined to find raison d’ȇtre for thousands of samurai who were left without means of survival after the abolishment of their privileges. He even offered to go to Korea and behave so offensively there that the Koreans would be forced to kill him and therefore start the war. Interesting, no? But it doesn’t look cool, according to our standards, so in the book Saigo remains this jovial, all-forgiving uncle, blessing the lovers from above, and doesn’t touch his weapons ONCE.
I didn’t care for anyone. Geisha and samurai have a good press anyway, they don’t need mine. Ah. I liked Tsukasa, the lover of the bully Eijiro. I was hoping he’d redeem her and raise hell in the family. No such luck though. Bye-bye third star.
What is it with the long-suffering samurai, folks? Can we not laugh at them, like the Japanese do? Why so serious? Why are all the people of the other classes vulgar, fat, obnoxious bullies? So the geishas hated the fat merchants and loved the samurai? Yeah right. Please go watch some kabuki. Samurai were pompous, penniless bores, and cut very sorry figures in Edo-period pleasure districts. Also “samurai took orders from no one” – what? Taking orders was about the only thing samurai did. Taking orders was their purpose in life.
But whatever, really, I don’t mind samurai that much. The thing which spoiled my enjoyment of the book was the sidestepping of the real historical issues which were the reason for the whole Satsuma rebellion. General Kitaoka, the father of the heroine and the samurai in the title – in reality Saigo Takamori – is shown as the benevolent, simple warrior opposed to the corruption of the politicians in Tokyo and the slow death of the samurai class. The reader is only told this; there is no politics whatsoever in the whole book. The drunken rants of the heroine’s brother don’t count.
What the book doesn’t say a thing about is that Saigo Takamori resigned from all of his government positions in protest, because his colleagues were against his proposition of a punitive expedition to Korea. By provoking a war abroad, Saigo was determined to find raison d’ȇtre for thousands of samurai who were left without means of survival after the abolishment of their privileges. He even offered to go to Korea and behave so offensively there that the Koreans would be forced to kill him and therefore start the war. Interesting, no? But it doesn’t look cool, according to our standards, so in the book Saigo remains this jovial, all-forgiving uncle, blessing the lovers from above, and doesn’t touch his weapons ONCE.
I didn’t care for anyone. Geisha and samurai have a good press anyway, they don’t need mine. Ah. I liked Tsukasa, the lover of the bully Eijiro. I was hoping he’d redeem her and raise hell in the family. No such luck though. Bye-bye third star.
July 22, 2014
Personally, this book is going to be one of the greatest book I ever read, and would be in my top favorite list of all time (similar to A Tale of the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki). Never thought this book can be this fantastic, it took me fully by surprise.
One of the best book I ever read, a tale of melancholy between two unlikely lover torn apart by conflicted honor, war-torn clans, and impossible love that will challenged their samurai's code of honor to the limit. The author recalled the Meiji Era of samurai with vivid and colorful image, creating the ancient kingdom back to reality within those pages. The description was precise, not too rich in exquisite word, but a short one that went straight to the heart. I read the love of the two clans--one a fallen samurai's clan that lost everything and became a servant, an on a lovely girl from the winning samurai's clan who reached the peak of luxuries, yet humble with life all the same. As the tales travel on, the two most strangest souls intertwined with one another, creating the tale of impossibility. The story was fast-paced, the thrilling ride in this extraordinary journey, which leaves behind so many mixed feeling inside. There were time I closed the book completely, immense in the misfortune that the fate that those two encounter. There were time I was afraid to turn the page, scare of what I would discovered. There were time I questioned myself of what I would do if I were them. This book gives me the full emotional ride, the best of the best, and somehow I yearned for more.
One of the best book I ever read, a tale of melancholy between two unlikely lover torn apart by conflicted honor, war-torn clans, and impossible love that will challenged their samurai's code of honor to the limit. The author recalled the Meiji Era of samurai with vivid and colorful image, creating the ancient kingdom back to reality within those pages. The description was precise, not too rich in exquisite word, but a short one that went straight to the heart. I read the love of the two clans--one a fallen samurai's clan that lost everything and became a servant, an on a lovely girl from the winning samurai's clan who reached the peak of luxuries, yet humble with life all the same. As the tales travel on, the two most strangest souls intertwined with one another, creating the tale of impossibility. The story was fast-paced, the thrilling ride in this extraordinary journey, which leaves behind so many mixed feeling inside. There were time I closed the book completely, immense in the misfortune that the fate that those two encounter. There were time I was afraid to turn the page, scare of what I would discovered. There were time I questioned myself of what I would do if I were them. This book gives me the full emotional ride, the best of the best, and somehow I yearned for more.
September 29, 2024
Ich konnte nicht mehr,wo waren bitte die Mulan Vibes???Jede einzelne Seite ging es um Stolz und Ehre,und der Verbotene Umgang mit dem anderen Clan🙄😮💨
December 29, 2013
I started the book, I read the book, I finished the book. I did it all consecutively that I didn't even have the opportunity to update my status here. It was such a good book that I just continued reading; it was a nonstop activity.
I was able to see the Japanese this time in a different light compared to the books that I read about the brutality of the Japanese invasion and occupation of Malaya. In Downer's story of The Samurai's Daughter, it shows the endless events of how the rich and the poor live side by side in the same place yet unable to live in peace with each other. It only shows what reality is all about. Where the rich gets richer, and the poor remains poor. There is no chance for regression in the lifestyles of the poor as they already do not get much, let alone losing what little they already have. Things only start getting messy when someone from the poor community falls in love with someone from the rich and the famous. That's when both parties start to show their ugly sides. Then again, it didn't really matter as both parties were from different clans and both clans were going head-to-head to war to overturn governments and topple political hierarchies.
It was amazing of the author Lesley Downer tell the story of how two lovers, each from a clan opposite the other, strive to survive in vastly different backgrounds. How they tried so hard to forget one another as both clans have no obvious similarities and one is more superior than the other. How as times changed, when they have that one moment to meet and face each other, how did they react to that situation and play it accordingly. A well-written book, as proven that whenever I picked it up to read, it was hard to put it down and I felt each emotion the characters experienced course through my veins. I might just actually read it again one day.
I was able to see the Japanese this time in a different light compared to the books that I read about the brutality of the Japanese invasion and occupation of Malaya. In Downer's story of The Samurai's Daughter, it shows the endless events of how the rich and the poor live side by side in the same place yet unable to live in peace with each other. It only shows what reality is all about. Where the rich gets richer, and the poor remains poor. There is no chance for regression in the lifestyles of the poor as they already do not get much, let alone losing what little they already have. Things only start getting messy when someone from the poor community falls in love with someone from the rich and the famous. That's when both parties start to show their ugly sides. Then again, it didn't really matter as both parties were from different clans and both clans were going head-to-head to war to overturn governments and topple political hierarchies.
It was amazing of the author Lesley Downer tell the story of how two lovers, each from a clan opposite the other, strive to survive in vastly different backgrounds. How they tried so hard to forget one another as both clans have no obvious similarities and one is more superior than the other. How as times changed, when they have that one moment to meet and face each other, how did they react to that situation and play it accordingly. A well-written book, as proven that whenever I picked it up to read, it was hard to put it down and I felt each emotion the characters experienced course through my veins. I might just actually read it again one day.
September 4, 2015
Ancora una volta la Downer riprende il tema sviluppato ne Il kimono rosso e ci racconta una storia ambientata nel Giappone di fine Ottocento negli anni in cui Nord e Sud si davano battaglia; già dal precedente libro infatti la parte dedicata al mondo delle geishe/concubine viene leggermente lasciata da parte e viene curata maggiormente quella storica.
Il libro si legge con piacere: è la storia travagliata tra Taka e Nobu, due giovani appartenenti a due regioni contrapposte e quindi a due clan diversi, ma non è solo questo perchè è il racconto di tradizioni e usi diversi nonostante lo stesso luogo di appartenenza, è il viaggio attraverso un Giappone diviso tra passione e divertimento nei quartieri del piacere e la vita in nome dell'onore dei samurai.
La Downer come sempre intrattiene con buoni romanzi senza essere eccessiva o cadere in errore: mi piace perchè le sue storie non sono mai smielate storie d'amore ma sono il ritratto di una nazione che mi ha sembre affascinata ma soprattutto non sono mai storie volgari che danno un'immagine sbagliata della geisha.
Un 'autrice che tratta un mondo particolare e molto lontano da noi con assoluta delicatezza.
July 13, 2012
I've been transported to an alien country, culture, and age, where my sensory organs have been bombarded to their fullest potential, leaving every nerve ending in my body tingling and screaming out for more of the same.
A wonderful saga based on the true story of the Last Samurai. A tale of star crossed lovers, Taka and Nobu, the Japanese version of Romeo and Juliet, destined to be together, although forbidden, due to family status and economic feuds of the time.
It was clear that the author has a vast knowledge and a great love for Japan, and her description of Geisha's, customs, food, dress, flora and fauna, which was second to none, brings
the story to life for her readers.
This is the first time I've read any Lesley Downer books, and indeed anything about Japan and this era, and it sure won't be the last on both accounts.
The author has whetted my appetite, and I look forward to reading more on this subject.
A wonderful saga based on the true story of the Last Samurai. A tale of star crossed lovers, Taka and Nobu, the Japanese version of Romeo and Juliet, destined to be together, although forbidden, due to family status and economic feuds of the time.
It was clear that the author has a vast knowledge and a great love for Japan, and her description of Geisha's, customs, food, dress, flora and fauna, which was second to none, brings
the story to life for her readers.
This is the first time I've read any Lesley Downer books, and indeed anything about Japan and this era, and it sure won't be the last on both accounts.
The author has whetted my appetite, and I look forward to reading more on this subject.
December 29, 2013
"Die Tochter des Samurai" ist ein Buch von zurückhaltendem Charme und faszinierender Melancholie. Ich habe dieses Jahr schon ein Buch von Lesley Downer gelesen, das mir jedoch nicht so gefallen hat. Nur weil ich mich für Japan interessiere, habe ich der Autorin noch eine Chance gegeben- und es nicht bereut! Downer greift historische Motive auf und erinnert an den Samurai Saigo, den es wirklich gab. Wie Romeo und Julia verlieben sich die Teenager Nobu und Taka, die aus verfeindeten Lagern stammen. Downer beschreibt nun, wie es den beiden von 1873 bis 1877 ergeht. Ich habe mitgehofft und gebangt, ob die beiden ihre Liebe retten können. Die Darstellung des sozialen Niederganges einer Familie und der Ausrottung durch den Krieg hat mir gefallen. Immer wieder flackert eine Prise Humor auf. Downer führt keinen überschäumenden Schreibstil, vermag jedoch zu faszinieren. Als Leser hatte ich das Gefühl, ein bisschen der japanischen Seele zu begegnen. Ein anmutiges und romantisches Buch!
July 12, 2012
This is labelled as historical fiction but don't let that put you off it's not normally something you read. Essentially it's a love story set in 1870s Japan. It has a very exotic, foreign feel and doen't feel historical. A book I would never have normally picked up but I'm so pleased I did. The writing is adept at conveying the foreign setting and captures the thoughts and feelings of the young protagonists perfectly. You get swept along. A very easy read, I read it in 3 sessions and was surprised how easy it was just sit down and wallow in the story. The characters are well constructed, the story well written. If you normally say historical fiction is dull and not for me, think again, this is a wonderful story not without its terribly sad and harrowing moments but ultimately a very satifying book that I was sorry to finish
September 27, 2013
Libro piacevolissimo da leggere che fa fare un
tuffo nel Giappone del secolo scorso.
E’ la storia d’amore contrastata tra Thaka e Nobu,
due giovani che appartengono a due clan diversi.
Ma non è solo questo, è molto di più, è un viaggio
attraverso un secolo di tradizioni giapponesi, di
lotte tra Nord e Sud, di usi diversi, un racconto
d’amore ma anche un racconto di dolore e morte
e guerra.
Il tutto raccontato con una grande delicatezza,
dove ci sono ardenti passioni ma non c’è mai una
scena di sesso, sebbene si parli anche di geishe,
con descrizioni particolareggiate di luoghi e pro-
fumi che quasi sembra di essere proprio lì.
Lettura molto consigliata per capire mondi diversi,
in quest’epoca di globalizzazione e integrazione a
volte difficoltosa tra popoli.
tuffo nel Giappone del secolo scorso.
E’ la storia d’amore contrastata tra Thaka e Nobu,
due giovani che appartengono a due clan diversi.
Ma non è solo questo, è molto di più, è un viaggio
attraverso un secolo di tradizioni giapponesi, di
lotte tra Nord e Sud, di usi diversi, un racconto
d’amore ma anche un racconto di dolore e morte
e guerra.
Il tutto raccontato con una grande delicatezza,
dove ci sono ardenti passioni ma non c’è mai una
scena di sesso, sebbene si parli anche di geishe,
con descrizioni particolareggiate di luoghi e pro-
fumi che quasi sembra di essere proprio lì.
Lettura molto consigliata per capire mondi diversi,
in quest’epoca di globalizzazione e integrazione a
volte difficoltosa tra popoli.
September 10, 2015
I don't think this book could have been more boring. It had an interesting start, but I could see the technical inaccuracies from a mile away (I've read enough books about geishas to know that the author didn't have much of a clue) and in the end, it just put me to sleep. It was the same story repeat several times over - girl meets boy, girl falls for boy, boy leaves, boy reappears - and repeat. After the first time, it gets tired.
May 28, 2016
I bought this book in Japan during my holiday and loved it.
It is a great mix of history, the Japanese way of living in the past and (unfortunately) our Western ways arriving in Japan is shown and what it does to the people living in Japan and the difference between different regions.
All this as the base of the story told by Taka and Nobu made it so beautiful. I felt that while reading it, a smile would come on my face.
It is a great mix of history, the Japanese way of living in the past and (unfortunately) our Western ways arriving in Japan is shown and what it does to the people living in Japan and the difference between different regions.
All this as the base of the story told by Taka and Nobu made it so beautiful. I felt that while reading it, a smile would come on my face.
February 19, 2022
Deze was me veel te voorspelbaar en onrealistisch.
October 29, 2017
This had something of the feel of those Japanese movies that seem to go on and on. Interesting bit of history though.
July 18, 2012
Not my usual pick. A member of the book club told me about the challenge involving historical fiction, since I don’t read that kind of books I thought about giving it a try, and I am really glad I did it. It is a real delight.
Japanese writers provided my knowledge of the historical literature of Japan. However Lesley’s view and interpretation of the old Japan, their traditions, families, social concepts, etc. has proven to be as beautiful and detailed as if she had been there in 1873.
I enjoy reading; usually when reading I tend to picture the way I would love the story to follow, however when the story follows my imaginary path I get disappointed (I know I’m weird hehehe), but in this case the story made me cry, laugh and hope. But above all it made me hate and love the characters, is something new for me. Before this book whenever I disliked a character it would remain like that the entire book, however in this case I couldn’t help myself in hating and caring for the characters (all of them).
Through the pages I’ve learnt the hard living of the samurais, I felt angry when they got rip off their duties and their honorable life. I could imagine how the “traitors” in their westerns’ outfit looked for them. But also I was able to understand the other side, the side looking to get Japan involved in the world, to be part of the global economy, etc.
This book is so beautifully written, that get immersed in the story, almost as if you were living it as one of the characters. I wanted to protect Taka from her brother, and at the same time I needed her to understand her brother actions. I could picture Nobu’s eyes filled with anger when looking at Eijiro, but looking hopelessly in love when fixed in Taka.
This book not only revolves around the love between Taka and Nobu, but also their past, a social past, where is more important what happened to each clan than what they were feeling. It also portrays a future where, if they have it, they will have to learn to live with their betrays to theirs clans, principles and at some point, to themselves.
As in every story where war is involved, there is a winner and a loser, but at the end of this book you are so attached to every character that I found myself hoping for the book to end before the last battle, to leave me with the “hope” even when I also wanted closure and whished for the magpies to build a bridge for the “weaver princess and the cowherd”.
Japanese writers provided my knowledge of the historical literature of Japan. However Lesley’s view and interpretation of the old Japan, their traditions, families, social concepts, etc. has proven to be as beautiful and detailed as if she had been there in 1873.
I enjoy reading; usually when reading I tend to picture the way I would love the story to follow, however when the story follows my imaginary path I get disappointed (I know I’m weird hehehe), but in this case the story made me cry, laugh and hope. But above all it made me hate and love the characters, is something new for me. Before this book whenever I disliked a character it would remain like that the entire book, however in this case I couldn’t help myself in hating and caring for the characters (all of them).
Through the pages I’ve learnt the hard living of the samurais, I felt angry when they got rip off their duties and their honorable life. I could imagine how the “traitors” in their westerns’ outfit looked for them. But also I was able to understand the other side, the side looking to get Japan involved in the world, to be part of the global economy, etc.
This book is so beautifully written, that get immersed in the story, almost as if you were living it as one of the characters. I wanted to protect Taka from her brother, and at the same time I needed her to understand her brother actions. I could picture Nobu’s eyes filled with anger when looking at Eijiro, but looking hopelessly in love when fixed in Taka.
This book not only revolves around the love between Taka and Nobu, but also their past, a social past, where is more important what happened to each clan than what they were feeling. It also portrays a future where, if they have it, they will have to learn to live with their betrays to theirs clans, principles and at some point, to themselves.
As in every story where war is involved, there is a winner and a loser, but at the end of this book you are so attached to every character that I found myself hoping for the book to end before the last battle, to leave me with the “hope” even when I also wanted closure and whished for the magpies to build a bridge for the “weaver princess and the cowherd”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2013
Taka and Nobu meet when they are very young and fall in love. But they both know their love is doomed from the start. Their differences are too great. Taka is the daughter of General Kitaoka a Satsuma from the Southern Clan. He is a much-respected leader of the new government. Nobu is from the northern Aizu. His clan were defeated and reduced to poverty by General Kitaoka during the Japanese Civil War.
This is a very enjoyable read and I found it difficult to put down. Lesley Downer has researched her subject well and tells the story almost as though she were there. She gives vivid descriptions of how Japan would have been at that time. Telling of how some of the Japanese had taken to Western ideas and dress during the 1870s. However, there were times when I felt the descriptions were too lengthy and that the story would have benefited being told at a slightly faster pace. But that is probably just me.
This is a very enjoyable read and I found it difficult to put down. Lesley Downer has researched her subject well and tells the story almost as though she were there. She gives vivid descriptions of how Japan would have been at that time. Telling of how some of the Japanese had taken to Western ideas and dress during the 1870s. However, there were times when I felt the descriptions were too lengthy and that the story would have benefited being told at a slightly faster pace. But that is probably just me.
August 11, 2017
Dopo aver letto e amato L'ultima concubina della stessa autrice, mi sono buttata a capofitto in questa lettura che pensavo mi avrebbe fatto di nuovo sognare con le sue descrizioni, i paesaggi, i sapori, le antiche poesie... No. No niente. L'inizio è lento e dolce, pone le basi per tutto ciò che speravo di incontrare, ma poi tutto si rivela su un'altra lunghezza onda. Forse ero io che avevo delle aspettative esageratamente alte, ma non sono rimasta colpita. Interessante e ben elaborata la parte storica del romanzo, unico punto a favore che mi sento di mettere in rilievo, perché per quanto riguarda la storia d'amore - fulcro centrale della vicenda - proprio non ci siamo. Non era nelle mie corde probabilmente , mi è sembrato di leggere Romeo e Giulietta ambientato in Giappone durante la guerra civile... Mmh. Buone le potenzialità, ma poco affini ai miei gusti personali, perciò non mi sento di condannare il romanzo in sé. Qualcuno lo avrà sicuramente apprezzato di più.
January 28, 2014
In the end I enjoyed this story for what seemed like realistic depictions of life in Japan during this period. Details like taking out the side room panels during the summer to let air in, the kind of oil geisha's used to keep their hair in place, the place of eating beef in the growing influence of western culture, and a small introduction to the Japanese caste system made me enjoy this book more than I would have otherwise. At first I was sure someone else wrote it and then Ms. Downer came in and sprinkled facts about Japanese culture and history into it. And I felt lost and annoyed a number of times when the references to prior events and situations didn't jive with my recollections. However, I still enjoyed the book for having introduced me to a time and culture just before the real beginning of the industrialized Japan.
November 27, 2018
The second book of Lesley Downer I read. Not a completely bad book but I do wonder why I picked this up. The first one I read was The Last Concubine and I basically had to fight through it, just as I had to with this one. Both of the books have very intriguing stories and backgrounds but I just can't like the style of writing. It's not what you would call bad, but rather basic and I'm really bad at expressing this but to me it felt weirdly unnatural. Like, you wouldn't write like this. But I guess that's also because of my preferences. So people, please don't be offended, you might like her style of writing but I don't. ALso why it took me 2 months to get through this.
The story on the other hand was very interesting, dramatical (which I love) and gave good insight about the happenings during the war in Japan.
The story on the other hand was very interesting, dramatical (which I love) and gave good insight about the happenings during the war in Japan.
March 12, 2016
I really enjoyed this book immensely! I started with the book "The Last Concubine" from this author and fell in love with it. So when I found out about this book I got curious, and was hoping this would be just as good. And I was right ♥
It's a story about two lovers, Taka and Nobu, but, they are from two different clans. Their love is forbidden and therefore impossible, since the clans are in war with each other. This love story reminded me of Romeo and Juliet. I enjoyed how detailed everything was written down, and the interaction between all the characters. This made it feel as if you were there yourself. And what I also liked about this book, is that it's a historical novel based on true events. And it gives you a glimpse into japanese culture and history. I would recommend this book if you like to know more about a era of samurai and geisha.
It's a story about two lovers, Taka and Nobu, but, they are from two different clans. Their love is forbidden and therefore impossible, since the clans are in war with each other. This love story reminded me of Romeo and Juliet. I enjoyed how detailed everything was written down, and the interaction between all the characters. This made it feel as if you were there yourself. And what I also liked about this book, is that it's a historical novel based on true events. And it gives you a glimpse into japanese culture and history. I would recommend this book if you like to know more about a era of samurai and geisha.
January 28, 2016
A wonderful story filled with real facts from that period of history in Japan. This is a story of star crossed lovers from different groups warring in Japan. TheYoung woman ,Taka, is the daughter of a geisha and a samuri warrior who is the head of the clan. It is his second wife. There is an encounter with the mother and a young boy, Nobu, intervenes and works for the family for a while. He is from the other tribe, enemies of the samurai. The story is about the love of Taka and Nobu and the extreme trials they endure. I would definitely reccommend this as an introduction to Japanese history intertwined with a story of what the people in that era had to deal with and experience as part of their culture.
March 8, 2013
The story centres around two young people: Taka and Nobu who meet when fate makes Nobu a hero in Taka's eyes.
The youngsters couldnt be more opposite - Taka is the daughter of a well-known Samurai General and a southern leader during the Civil War and Nobu comes from Aizu in the North - both sides consider the other sworn enemies.
I didnt consider this as much as a love story as I did the "Courtesan and the Samurai" but I did see the continious theme of honour in the Japanese, exercised by both men and women alike.
The values held by the Japanese culture are very honourable and quite intense because the Western world would not practice similar practices.
The youngsters couldnt be more opposite - Taka is the daughter of a well-known Samurai General and a southern leader during the Civil War and Nobu comes from Aizu in the North - both sides consider the other sworn enemies.
I didnt consider this as much as a love story as I did the "Courtesan and the Samurai" but I did see the continious theme of honour in the Japanese, exercised by both men and women alike.
The values held by the Japanese culture are very honourable and quite intense because the Western world would not practice similar practices.
March 6, 2017
4 STARS!
I have always been a fan of historical fiction genre especially the books which are subjected to different cultures from me. This book taught me the distraught and difficulties having by the people of the era. Though the hero and the heroine were separated by different tribes or clans, this moving story teach us that love knows no boundary. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I could hardly put it down. So beautifully written by Lesley Downer and I am looking forward to reading more of her books. I might read this book again in the near future just to experience this feeling all over again!
I have always been a fan of historical fiction genre especially the books which are subjected to different cultures from me. This book taught me the distraught and difficulties having by the people of the era. Though the hero and the heroine were separated by different tribes or clans, this moving story teach us that love knows no boundary. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I could hardly put it down. So beautifully written by Lesley Downer and I am looking forward to reading more of her books. I might read this book again in the near future just to experience this feeling all over again!
August 5, 2017
Forse tratta in inganno dal titolo italiano, al solito totalmente diverso dall'originale inglese "Across a Bridge of Dreams" mi aspettavo molto di più, o almeno qualcosa di diverso.
Sembra che per qualche strana ragione gli editori italiani abbiano deciso di mantenere la costante "Geisha" in tutti i titoli dell'autrice.
Ma la Downer riesce sempre e comunque a farsi leggere, a stupire e suscitare interesse con temi storici diversi, in questo caso la restaurazione Meiji.
Particolarmente apprezzata la scelta di lasciare la conclusione ad una postfazione totalmente storica che ripercorre fatti e nomi veri lasciando intendere quel che sia accaduto ai personaggi fittizi.
Sembra che per qualche strana ragione gli editori italiani abbiano deciso di mantenere la costante "Geisha" in tutti i titoli dell'autrice.
Ma la Downer riesce sempre e comunque a farsi leggere, a stupire e suscitare interesse con temi storici diversi, in questo caso la restaurazione Meiji.
Particolarmente apprezzata la scelta di lasciare la conclusione ad una postfazione totalmente storica che ripercorre fatti e nomi veri lasciando intendere quel che sia accaduto ai personaggi fittizi.
January 18, 2016
Mir hat das Buch insgesamt eigentlich ganz gut gefallen. Da ich in letzter Zeit gerne Japan bezogene Bücher lese, bin ich froh mit dem gleich ins Jahr 2016 gestartet zu haben. Die beschriebene Atmosphäre wirkte gut recherchiert und bis auf wenige eher dahinziehende Stellen habe ich es schnell durchgelesen.
Die Liebesgeschichte zwischen den Protagonisten war nett, aber nicht fesselnd, sodass ich richtig mitgefiebert hätte.
Ich würde es eher Leuten, die sich für historische/Japan bezogene Romane interessieren, empfehlen.
Die Liebesgeschichte zwischen den Protagonisten war nett, aber nicht fesselnd, sodass ich richtig mitgefiebert hätte.
Ich würde es eher Leuten, die sich für historische/Japan bezogene Romane interessieren, empfehlen.
July 23, 2012
I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book as I haven't previously got on well with novels based in Japan. However, on the whole I did enjoy it although I did find some aspects of it quite hard work, particularly the attitude that suicide is an honorouble thing. The characters were well drawn though and the idea of Nobu having the job of carrying Taka's books around at school. Where was he when I was at school?
August 6, 2013
This was a fine read for sunny weekends spent sitting in the garden. The last quarter was a bit predictable and not all that engaging.
The more I historical fictions I read the less interested I am in the central romance. Or perhaps I just need a bit more subtlety? I'm not sure.
Romance aside a decent read and good taster in terms of the period of history. I certainly have a lot to investigate now.
The more I historical fictions I read the less interested I am in the central romance. Or perhaps I just need a bit more subtlety? I'm not sure.
Romance aside a decent read and good taster in terms of the period of history. I certainly have a lot to investigate now.
June 11, 2014
Dieses Buch zu bewerten fällt mir wirklich schwer. Es spielt in Japan, zur Samuraizeit, schön geschrieben und das Ende ist auch sooooooo schön, aber trotzdem hat es sich auch oft gezogen, mir fehlte das besondere Etwas und auch die Spannung, daher musste ich einfach Abstriche in der Bewertung machen. ABER ich bin wirklich froh, es gelesen zu haben und das Ende !!! Es war einfach nur ... hach ...
PS: Das COVER Kinders ... das COVER !!! *_____* (meine Zukünftige, sie weiß es nur noch nicht xD)
PS: Das COVER Kinders ... das COVER !!! *_____* (meine Zukünftige, sie weiß es nur noch nicht xD)
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