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乙嫁語り [Otoyomegatari] #10
A Bride's Story, Vol. 10
Acclaimed creator Kaoru Mori's tale of life on the nineteenth-century Silk Road continues. Sensing a gap between the boy that he is and the man he would like to become, Karluk leaves his hometown to learn directly from the experts—who also happen to be his nomadic in-laws. Over the course of several months, Karluk is determined to master the skills of shooting, riding, and falconry, which have allowed Amir's people to live on these unforgiving lands. Karluk's mind has been focused solely on developing his own strengths, but he soon learns that for the Halgal clan, a successful hunt is a matter of their very survival...
Crafted in painstaking detail, Ms. Mori's pen breathes life into the scenery and architecture of the period in this heart-warming, slice-of-life tale that is at once wholly exotic, yet familiar and accessible through the everyday lives of the characters she has created.
Crafted in painstaking detail, Ms. Mori's pen breathes life into the scenery and architecture of the period in this heart-warming, slice-of-life tale that is at once wholly exotic, yet familiar and accessible through the everyday lives of the characters she has created.
188 pages, Hardcover
First published February 15, 2018
14 people are currently reading
350 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 150 reviews
December 22, 2018
A Bride's Story, volume 10, continues the beautifully drawn and research-enriched tale of the nineteenth century Silk Road. Period architecture and clothing, plains landscape, and closely-observed cultural practices are mangka Kyoko Mori’s historical fiction jam here. The heart of the story is the practice in this period of arranged child marriages, and this one takes us back to one central story, that of married Amir (traveling with her nomadic family) and Karluk, who is about 13 now, though mostly separated from her in his attempt to “become a man.”
We make certain assumptions, perhaps, about this particular cultural practice, but Mori is most interested in how these unquestioned practices are lived, at an almost ethnographic level. There is expressed sweetness in the relationship between Karluk and Amir, and also in the story of the western researcher Smith, who has his own sweet surprise coming for him when he gets to Ankara.
The pen and ink drawing is as always impressive, but in this volume we see hunting practices—including hunting with golden eagles—that gives Mori the opportunity to draw lots of animals and birds, including the slaughtering of them for meat especially in the long cold winters. I suppose this is typical of the best of historical fiction, that you get this feeling of being there, educated about life there and then.
We make certain assumptions, perhaps, about this particular cultural practice, but Mori is most interested in how these unquestioned practices are lived, at an almost ethnographic level. There is expressed sweetness in the relationship between Karluk and Amir, and also in the story of the western researcher Smith, who has his own sweet surprise coming for him when he gets to Ankara.
The pen and ink drawing is as always impressive, but in this volume we see hunting practices—including hunting with golden eagles—that gives Mori the opportunity to draw lots of animals and birds, including the slaughtering of them for meat especially in the long cold winters. I suppose this is typical of the best of historical fiction, that you get this feeling of being there, educated about life there and then.
February 19, 2018
This is still one of my all-time favorite series and I honestly think Kauru Mori is one of the best manga artists out there currently.
October 27, 2021
Cuando el tebeo gira al costumbrismo (la caza con arco, la cetrería, el viaje en caravana...) te caes en la descripción y los dibujos y no lo sueltas. Además el final... es tan bonito. Norma, ¿por qué llevas dos años sin publicar nada más de Bride Stories?
May 30, 2019
I continue to love this historical manga set along the Silk Road during the 19th century, and picked up the next installment as part of the #AsianReadathon.
After spending lots of time with Pariya, we are back to Amir (my fave character) and hubby Karluk. Each of the tribes in this area have their own traditions and way of life, and Karluk decides to spend time with his in-laws to learn how to hunt and hopefully grow some muscles as a result. He so wants to impress Amir, and as part of this learning, the author explores the art of hunting with both the bow and golden eagles, while showcasing her talent for animal illustrations. Dang, but she is so talented!
In the second half of the book we meet up with Mr. Smith as he continues to make his way to Ankara, and those who await him there. As with all the volumes in this series, we learn about specific cultural norms, while zooming in on the lives of specific people.
There are currently three more books in this series, and I am impatiently waiting for them to get translated.
After spending lots of time with Pariya, we are back to Amir (my fave character) and hubby Karluk. Each of the tribes in this area have their own traditions and way of life, and Karluk decides to spend time with his in-laws to learn how to hunt and hopefully grow some muscles as a result. He so wants to impress Amir, and as part of this learning, the author explores the art of hunting with both the bow and golden eagles, while showcasing her talent for animal illustrations. Dang, but she is so talented!
In the second half of the book we meet up with Mr. Smith as he continues to make his way to Ankara, and those who await him there. As with all the volumes in this series, we learn about specific cultural norms, while zooming in on the lives of specific people.
There are currently three more books in this series, and I am impatiently waiting for them to get translated.
January 23, 2019
Not the best volume in the series, but any visit with these characters is a delight. The first half of the book returns to the main couple of Amir and her child husband, Karluk. They are spending some time apart as Karluk goes to live with his nomadic in-laws in order to practice hunting with the bow and a golden eagle. The falconry scenes are quite beautiful.
The second half of the book rejoins the British explorer Henry Smith as he reaches the end of the Silk Road and a reunion with an old friend in Ankara eager to return him to England.
The second half of the book rejoins the British explorer Henry Smith as he reaches the end of the Silk Road and a reunion with an old friend in Ankara eager to return him to England.
March 4, 2025
4.5 stars
November 22, 2021
نتونستم برای رسیدن به داستان امیرا و کارلوک صبر کنم،
پسری که سعی میکنه قوی تر بشه تا بتونه از همسرش محافظت کنه و همینطور بیشتر از قبل دلش رو به دست بیاره.
مانگاکا اطلاعات خیلی زیادی درمورد فرهنگ مردم آسیای مرکزی داره مثلا درمورد تربیت عقاب ها برای شکار. مثل همیشه گرافیک و طراحی خیلی دقیق و با جزئیات بود، بعضی از صحنه ها در عین ساده بودن آرامش خاصی داشتن...
و در آخر که به سفر اسمیت پرداخته شد ، به شدت قشنگ و جذاب بود! بی صبرانه منتظرم ببینم این سفر به کجا میرسه *_*
پسری که سعی میکنه قوی تر بشه تا بتونه از همسرش محافظت کنه و همینطور بیشتر از قبل دلش رو به دست بیاره.
مانگاکا اطلاعات خیلی زیادی درمورد فرهنگ مردم آسیای مرکزی داره مثلا درمورد تربیت عقاب ها برای شکار. مثل همیشه گرافیک و طراحی خیلی دقیق و با جزئیات بود، بعضی از صحنه ها در عین ساده بودن آرامش خاصی داشتن...
و در آخر که به سفر اسمیت پرداخته شد ، به شدت قشنگ و جذاب بود! بی صبرانه منتظرم ببینم این سفر به کجا میرسه *_*
August 21, 2020
L'hiver est arrivé dans les steppes. Karluk décide de se former à l'archerie avec son beau frère, en parti pour devenir un meilleur chasseur, mais également pour combler une part de son complexe physique. Le jeune homme demeure encore incertain de plaire à Amir, qui a huit ans de plus que lui. Au court de ce tome, toutefois, nous en apprendrons plus sur les sentiments d'Amir quand à son jeune mari et pourquoi elle ne voit aucun problème à leur différence d'âge. Entre temps, Smith fait toujours route avec Ali vers Ankara.
Un autre très bon tome au dessin grandiose. Les détails sont juste incroyables et c'est de loin mon manga préféré.
Un autre très bon tome au dessin grandiose. Les détails sont juste incroyables et c'est de loin mon manga préféré.
January 25, 2020
Another beautifully drawn and detailed manga from Kaoru Mori!
For the first half of this volume, we learn about training eagles for hunting (which was very interesting).
The second half of the volume, Henry Smith finally reaches Ankara!
Tensions between the Russians seem to be growing bit by bit with every volume. I'm curious to see what happens next.
*** #7 of my 2020 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - Read a historical fiction novel not set in WWII ***
For the first half of this volume, we learn about training eagles for hunting (which was very interesting).
The second half of the volume, Henry Smith finally reaches Ankara!
Tensions between the Russians seem to be growing bit by bit with every volume. I'm curious to see what happens next.
*** #7 of my 2020 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - Read a historical fiction novel not set in WWII ***
December 6, 2018
The first half has some great hunting scenes, including eagle hunting.
The second half has Smith again for the first time in a while, along with a surprise appearance!
The second half has Smith again for the first time in a while, along with a surprise appearance!
March 31, 2021
The art is honestly perfect!! I am loving this series and the characters so much!!
October 2, 2018
Les dessins sont tellement beaux... Je regarde bien chaque page, tous les détails c'est fou !
Et en plus les personnages sont attachants et les histoires très sympa. Hâte de lire la suite.
Et en plus les personnages sont attachants et les histoires très sympa. Hâte de lire la suite.
December 19, 2021
5 Stars
March 26, 2019
In Summary
After multiple scenes of girls embroidering their dowry, how about one of a guy hunting pelts for a bride price? Karluk goes to spend a few months with his in-laws, and Azel and Company teach the boy the skills required of a man in the high plains. Even though the series is called “A Bride’s Story,” it makes a fun shift to the groom’s perspective in Mori-sensei’s tale of Central Asia.
The Review
Now that Pariya is safely married, the focus returns to our original couple, Amir and Karluk. As one would expect from a series called “A Bride’s Story,” their marriage has primarily been told from Amir’s perspective. However, Mori-sensei makes an interesting shift by having Karluk live with his Halgal in-laws for several months.
This is an interesting turn of events considering the trouble Amir’s father brought upon Karluk’s hometown. Or perhaps Karluk used that past offense to pressure his in-laws into accepting his request. At any rate, Mori-sensei doesn’t spend time rehashing hard feelings. Rather, Karluk’s focused on growing stronger as a man so he won’t suffer the same indignity of helplessness that he did during the attack on the town. And Azel and his two sidekicks are quite willing to teach the boy their skills.
Thus, the narrative, which has explored several exclusively female realms, now gives a taste of a male-dominated realm. Karluk’s not a new bride, but he’s leaving the familiarity of home to join a markedly different community. Readers learn about the Halgal’s nomadic lifestyle as Karluk does, and his lessons in archery and falconry are informative as well as a feast for the eyes.
And of course, Karluk is hanging out with these fine male specimens because–even after all these volumes–he still looks like a kid. Which means his well-meaning wife treats him like a kid. The age gap is awkward for Amir, but it’s worse for Karluk. Although the two manage to talk through Karluk’s insecurities, I, like Karluk, hope he catches up to Amir soon.
Then the story shifts back to the luckless Mr. Smith, who has somehow reached Ankara in one piece. As he meets with his English colleague Hawkins, we get a picture of the military tensions flaring up in the region. Considering Mr. Smith’s lack of fighting skills and his recent run-in with bandits, I expected him to take his friend’s advice to return to England. However, he chooses to stay. While the scholarly basis of his resolve is somewhat unbelievable, it doesn’t compare with the astronomical improbability of his unexpected reunion with Talas.
Considering all that has gone wrong for Talas and Smith, both are overdue for some good luck. And obviously readers would also like for the pair to has a happily ever after. However, the previously insurmountable barriers of disapproving relatives and distance vanish in a flash, and suddenly, Talas and Smith are free to be together. While the circumstances that reunite the pair seem just a bit too convenient, uncertainty still shadows their future, especially with war brewing in the region.
Extras include Mori-sensei’s manga style afterword.
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
After multiple scenes of girls embroidering their dowry, how about one of a guy hunting pelts for a bride price? Karluk goes to spend a few months with his in-laws, and Azel and Company teach the boy the skills required of a man in the high plains. Even though the series is called “A Bride’s Story,” it makes a fun shift to the groom’s perspective in Mori-sensei’s tale of Central Asia.
The Review
Now that Pariya is safely married, the focus returns to our original couple, Amir and Karluk. As one would expect from a series called “A Bride’s Story,” their marriage has primarily been told from Amir’s perspective. However, Mori-sensei makes an interesting shift by having Karluk live with his Halgal in-laws for several months.
This is an interesting turn of events considering the trouble Amir’s father brought upon Karluk’s hometown. Or perhaps Karluk used that past offense to pressure his in-laws into accepting his request. At any rate, Mori-sensei doesn’t spend time rehashing hard feelings. Rather, Karluk’s focused on growing stronger as a man so he won’t suffer the same indignity of helplessness that he did during the attack on the town. And Azel and his two sidekicks are quite willing to teach the boy their skills.
Thus, the narrative, which has explored several exclusively female realms, now gives a taste of a male-dominated realm. Karluk’s not a new bride, but he’s leaving the familiarity of home to join a markedly different community. Readers learn about the Halgal’s nomadic lifestyle as Karluk does, and his lessons in archery and falconry are informative as well as a feast for the eyes.
And of course, Karluk is hanging out with these fine male specimens because–even after all these volumes–he still looks like a kid. Which means his well-meaning wife treats him like a kid. The age gap is awkward for Amir, but it’s worse for Karluk. Although the two manage to talk through Karluk’s insecurities, I, like Karluk, hope he catches up to Amir soon.
Then the story shifts back to the luckless Mr. Smith, who has somehow reached Ankara in one piece. As he meets with his English colleague Hawkins, we get a picture of the military tensions flaring up in the region. Considering Mr. Smith’s lack of fighting skills and his recent run-in with bandits, I expected him to take his friend’s advice to return to England. However, he chooses to stay. While the scholarly basis of his resolve is somewhat unbelievable, it doesn’t compare with the astronomical improbability of his unexpected reunion with Talas.
Considering all that has gone wrong for Talas and Smith, both are overdue for some good luck. And obviously readers would also like for the pair to has a happily ever after. However, the previously insurmountable barriers of disapproving relatives and distance vanish in a flash, and suddenly, Talas and Smith are free to be together. While the circumstances that reunite the pair seem just a bit too convenient, uncertainty still shadows their future, especially with war brewing in the region.
Extras include Mori-sensei’s manga style afterword.
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2020
This volume was a change in pace as we mostly follow Karluk learning to hunt with his wife’s brother and his tribe. There is surprisingly little female presence here - in fact that absence is marked. We are out of the female sphere and the hearth and that lack is felt by the tribe.
After following women and their lives, to not see them was a bit odd and sad. In fact there is a conversation between Karluk and a tribesman when they talk about how the tribe is dying and that it is unlikely that they will ever have brides and family. That made me tear up.
The artwork, focused on the action scenes, were especially exciting. As always there is an attention to detail here which is much appreciated.
The last section of the volumes takes us back to Mr Smith and a poignant reunion. It set up what promises to be this gentle (almost melancholy) romance for the next volume which I am really interested to see.
After following women and their lives, to not see them was a bit odd and sad. In fact there is a conversation between Karluk and a tribesman when they talk about how the tribe is dying and that it is unlikely that they will ever have brides and family. That made me tear up.
The artwork, focused on the action scenes, were especially exciting. As always there is an attention to detail here which is much appreciated.
The last section of the volumes takes us back to Mr Smith and a poignant reunion. It set up what promises to be this gentle (almost melancholy) romance for the next volume which I am really interested to see.
May 14, 2020
Very fun volume! We get to see Karluk continuing in his efforts to become an impressive individual (and Amir is encouraging of his efforts) and we see Henry finally reach his destination. XD His name is so Western, I sometimes forget it amid all the rest....
I'm looking forward to how things continue for both parties!
I'm looking forward to how things continue for both parties!
October 23, 2020
And this one I liked quite a bit better than the previous one. The stories were easier to follow and simpler. There were less characters on screen at once. And less whining. Even Mr. Smith wasn't irritating. The hunting bits with the eagles were especially gorgeous. I wish Karluk would get older though. 3.5 of 5.
June 18, 2022
This is really two tales, half and half. Spoilers for earlier books ahead.
Karluk stays with Amir's brothers to learn hunting and hawking. (I think their story is starting to spin its wheels. I think the only real fix is a baby to give Amir someone to fuss over.)
And the continuing trek of Mr. Smith. He reaches his destination and an old friend, after many notes.
Karluk stays with Amir's brothers to learn hunting and hawking. (I think their story is starting to spin its wheels. I think the only real fix is a baby to give Amir someone to fuss over.)
And the continuing trek of Mr. Smith. He reaches his destination and an old friend, after many notes.
January 9, 2020
The most beautiful manga series ever created and the historical details are so interesting! This time we watched Karluck learn nomad skills and the ancient art of hunting with a Golden Eagle. I can't recommend this series highly enough.
January 22, 2021
Enjoyed learning about the falconry. Wasn't expecting these groups to have the relationship that they do. Pretty cool. Read this out of order so the surprise at the ending wasn't a surprise, frankly had forgotten how things were when we last saw them together.
January 26, 2019
This continues to be one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. Stunning. And the plot and characters are so endearing and engrossing! A good volume.
January 29, 2019
Mori is a bona fide artistic genius. Read this volume for the ending alone. Seriously. She's on the level of Allison Bechtel, but a better artist.
February 3, 2019
*dreamy sigh* Azel....
February 21, 2019
So good! I love everything about this author and her series. Keep on being amazing!
Read
March 18, 2019In a perfect world, this series would never stop!
July 7, 2019
為了跟上第十集，又從頭全部看一遍
追沒完結的作品真累，每出一本新的就要全部重看一遍Orz
這集出現了克里米亞戰爭結束的描述
所以年代可以確定在1856年之後，離左宗棠征西還有二十年
看來應該畫不到新疆動亂了~
畫到現在第十集，伊斯蘭宗教的影子非常薄弱
不曉得中亞的伊斯蘭化到底有多深
實在太缺乏相關的中文書來參考了QQ
追沒完結的作品真累，每出一本新的就要全部重看一遍Orz
這集出現了克里米亞戰爭結束的描述
所以年代可以確定在1856年之後，離左宗棠征西還有二十年
看來應該畫不到新疆動亂了~
畫到現在第十集，伊斯蘭宗教的影子非常薄弱
不曉得中亞的伊斯蘭化到底有多深
實在太缺乏相關的中文書來參考了QQ
August 18, 2019
A terrific installment in this series!
August 28, 2024
La 1a mitad con Karluk y Azel estuvo sensacional. Chef's kiss. Especialmente porque Azel 🥵
La 2a con la continuación del viaje de Smith también estuvo interesante, pero el personaje de Smith me dan sentimientos encontrados. Porque quiere preservar las tradiciones y la cultura y todo de los habitantes de Central Asia, pero se siente como si los estuviera estudiando como si fueran solo un tema y se olvida de que son personas.
La 2a con la continuación del viaje de Smith también estuvo interesante, pero el personaje de Smith me dan sentimientos encontrados. Porque quiere preservar las tradiciones y la cultura y todo de los habitantes de Central Asia, pero se siente como si los estuviera estudiando como si fueran solo un tema y se olvida de que son personas.
June 18, 2018
Va be’, che ve lo dico a fare è Kaoru Mori. Posso solo ammirare.
December 30, 2020
Encore un très bon tome. Je suis contente de retrouver Smith et j’ai hâte de voir qu’elle sera la suite de ses aventures.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews