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乙嫁語り [Otoyomegatari] #11
A Bride's Story, Vol. 11
Acclaimed creator Kaori Mori's tale of life on the nineteenth century Silk Road continues. Smith is shocked when upon arriving in Ankara, he is met by Talas, the solitary herder who welcomed Smith into her home in the early days of his journey. Whatever feelings may have passed between them at the time were soundly dashed by Talas's uncle, whose controlling influence and deceit even landed Smith in prison! But Talas has since resolved to follow her heart and boldly throw her lot with Smith, whatever the risks. When Smith sets out once again from Ankara—new camera in tow—he will be faced with a decision. Will Talas join the party as mere traveling companion, or as something more...?
Crafted in painstaking detail, Ms. Mori's pen breathes life into the scenery and architecture of the period in this heartwarming, slice-of-life tale that is at once 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 heartwarming, 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 December 15, 2018
13 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Kaoru Mori
101 books856 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 117 reviews
September 5, 2019
A Bride’s Story is a remarkable nineteenth-century Silk Road slice-of-life series written and illustrated by Kaoru Mori. Call it historical fiction, focused primarily on girls who have few options except to marry. Yet—how do I say this?—this series does not focus on aspects of misogyny and child rape/abuse inherent in the long historical practice of “child brides,” but rather, this is a story of female empowerment and the “room to maneuver” women and girls craft within the system they are given and also partly shape in mostly useful ways. In other words, never are the women and girls depicted as mere victims.
The series is also remarkable for Mori’s skill in rendering period costumes, animals, food, and architecture. She LOVES deep historical research and she loves drawing this stuff.
If you are actually reading this series and are not yet here yet, I will work hard to avoid certain spoilerish details about volume 11, that features Mr. Smith (the English anthropologist), his reunion with a young woman, Talas, who loves him and agrees to travel with him as his servant. Amir, the titular bride, is less a focus here as Smith travels back across an area he has previously traveled, in Turkey, this time with a camera. To provide a kind of “meta” approach to the importance of the visual and at the same time reveal historical/scientific details, Smith (and we) are introduced to the advent of photography, which is used to document the ever-changing cultural landscape of the region. Talas’s reaction to the first time she is ever photographed is memorable: “I look just like my mother!” The invention of photography! What would it have been like to experience it for the first time!?
Some wonderful aspects of this volume:
*Talas learns she can contribute to the financial needs of her traveling troupe through sewing beautiful garments typical of her region.
* Pre-Islamic central Asian customs, such as the presence of fortune-tellers in the public square.
*Whirling dervish Sufis
*Talas and Smith ride a nineteenth-century version of a swing that would have been called Altykaban in Kazakhstan
*Various nomadic travelers, pilgrims, such as Berbers (moors, Moroccan travelers), The Tuareg people known for their crafts
*Bickering camels?!
*A wonderful story about a gold watch Smith loses that gets passed on or sold from person to person, each person choosing to see it as either good or bad luck. A kind of “telephone” version of a myth develops about it over time: “This was once owned by a Queen!” When Smith see the watch again and hears a story about it, he is mystified.
I had been giving all previous volumes of this series four stars because I felt sort of initially distant from the characters, while admiring the artwork, but I have to acknowledge now that this is without a doubt a five star series, an amazing accomplishment, steeped in deep historical research and a love of drawing the period, highlighting women’s issues in an epic, yet relatable story.
The series is also remarkable for Mori’s skill in rendering period costumes, animals, food, and architecture. She LOVES deep historical research and she loves drawing this stuff.
If you are actually reading this series and are not yet here yet, I will work hard to avoid certain spoilerish details about volume 11, that features Mr. Smith (the English anthropologist), his reunion with a young woman, Talas, who loves him and agrees to travel with him as his servant. Amir, the titular bride, is less a focus here as Smith travels back across an area he has previously traveled, in Turkey, this time with a camera. To provide a kind of “meta” approach to the importance of the visual and at the same time reveal historical/scientific details, Smith (and we) are introduced to the advent of photography, which is used to document the ever-changing cultural landscape of the region. Talas’s reaction to the first time she is ever photographed is memorable: “I look just like my mother!” The invention of photography! What would it have been like to experience it for the first time!?
Some wonderful aspects of this volume:
*Talas learns she can contribute to the financial needs of her traveling troupe through sewing beautiful garments typical of her region.
* Pre-Islamic central Asian customs, such as the presence of fortune-tellers in the public square.
*Whirling dervish Sufis
*Talas and Smith ride a nineteenth-century version of a swing that would have been called Altykaban in Kazakhstan
*Various nomadic travelers, pilgrims, such as Berbers (moors, Moroccan travelers), The Tuareg people known for their crafts
*Bickering camels?!
*A wonderful story about a gold watch Smith loses that gets passed on or sold from person to person, each person choosing to see it as either good or bad luck. A kind of “telephone” version of a myth develops about it over time: “This was once owned by a Queen!” When Smith see the watch again and hears a story about it, he is mystified.
I had been giving all previous volumes of this series four stars because I felt sort of initially distant from the characters, while admiring the artwork, but I have to acknowledge now that this is without a doubt a five star series, an amazing accomplishment, steeped in deep historical research and a love of drawing the period, highlighting women’s issues in an epic, yet relatable story.
December 15, 2019
As beautiful as ever, but the story lags this volume as it focuses on the least interesting couple in the series, Smith and Talas. They're not bad, but I'd just rather get quality time with Amir or Pariya and their significant others.
November 11, 2019
I love this series so much, and not just for the meticulously detailed artwork (embroidered and woven designs included). The historical research is deep, the personal stories and nuanced and layered, and I always end up wanting to gobble up more.
Now usually I am disappointed when the narrative strays away from Karluk and Amir, but Mr. Smith is another favourite of mine, and this time he is reunited with Talas. I didn't care for her as much during our first introduction, but this time around she is notably creative, resourceful, and perchance forceful.
Needless to say, I cannot wait to get my hands on Volume 12.
Now usually I am disappointed when the narrative strays away from Karluk and Amir, but Mr. Smith is another favourite of mine, and this time he is reunited with Talas. I didn't care for her as much during our first introduction, but this time around she is notably creative, resourceful, and perchance forceful.
Needless to say, I cannot wait to get my hands on Volume 12.
March 4, 2025
4.5 stars
August 28, 2019
As always this is a beautiful, soft and thoughtful volume. Mori is amongst one of the most talented manga-ka I have the pleasure of reading.
It was both a heart warming volume as we followed how Talas and Mr. Smith reconnected and somehow tearful as she loves him so much, but is willing to accept being his servant because she does not feel worthy.
Her assessment of his character is spot on however; he is gentle, considerate and harbors no aggressive spirit. Together they're awkward, but genuine.
I wonder how their story will conclude, but I sincerely hope its a happy ending.
It was both a heart warming volume as we followed how Talas and Mr. Smith reconnected and somehow tearful as she loves him so much, but is willing to accept being his servant because she does not feel worthy.
Her assessment of his character is spot on however; he is gentle, considerate and harbors no aggressive spirit. Together they're awkward, but genuine.
I wonder how their story will conclude, but I sincerely hope its a happy ending.
March 7, 2022
Impás con alguna descripción con menos interés que la mayoría de las tratadas generalmente (el complicado proceso de tomar y revelar fotografías, la intendencia necesaria para viajar con una máquina para tomar fotografías). Después llega la escena del columpio y recupera el espíritu del mejor Bride Stories: la grandeza detrás de las pequeñas cosas de la vida.
August 21, 2020
I must have forgotten to include my review when I read this last year.
***
Another stellar volume by Kaoru Mori!
This volume doesn't touch on Amir and Karluk, but instead focuses on Mr. Smith and his reunion with Talas (they fell in love in an earlier volume, but their love was forbidden). Talas had been sent to an arranged marriage, but thankfully the man to be her husband has compassion and agrees to take Talas on a journey to find the man she loves. (I wish we knew more about the man who would have been her husband. What a sacrifice he made!)
The rest of the volume covers some of the journey Mr Smith embarks on with his new camera. He is seeking to document a way of life that will quickly fade from history if not recorded, and plans to take pictures, retracing his earlier route. Readers are treated to a detailed explanation about how cameras worked back then.
Once again, Mori has come through with beautifully detailed artwork and loveable characters. I'm looking forward to Vol. 12!
***
Another stellar volume by Kaoru Mori!
This volume doesn't touch on Amir and Karluk, but instead focuses on Mr. Smith and his reunion with Talas (they fell in love in an earlier volume, but their love was forbidden). Talas had been sent to an arranged marriage, but thankfully the man to be her husband has compassion and agrees to take Talas on a journey to find the man she loves. (I wish we knew more about the man who would have been her husband. What a sacrifice he made!)
The rest of the volume covers some of the journey Mr Smith embarks on with his new camera. He is seeking to document a way of life that will quickly fade from history if not recorded, and plans to take pictures, retracing his earlier route. Readers are treated to a detailed explanation about how cameras worked back then.
Once again, Mori has come through with beautifully detailed artwork and loveable characters. I'm looking forward to Vol. 12!
July 26, 2019
I enjoyed this volume a lot! The first chapter was a short, super atmospheric panning through Amira's days in winter, full page spreads which were extremely beautiful.
And that amazing detailed beauty in art continued as the rest of the volume follows Talas and Smith in their journey in Turkey. When Talas was first introduced in earlier volume, I didn't think anything special about her, she was sweet but that's about it. However, I started to like her more and more. She's patient, kind and quiet but she's also quite courageous, and even though she's always generous and thinks a lot about others, I was glad she's also following her heart by looking for Smith and asking to be included when she so desires.
The extensive research Mori does for this series shines through, not just when she tells about that in her post script pages but in the clothes, items and cities she draws. And of course in chapters like the photography one, where the techniques are explained in detail.
And that amazing detailed beauty in art continued as the rest of the volume follows Talas and Smith in their journey in Turkey. When Talas was first introduced in earlier volume, I didn't think anything special about her, she was sweet but that's about it. However, I started to like her more and more. She's patient, kind and quiet but she's also quite courageous, and even though she's always generous and thinks a lot about others, I was glad she's also following her heart by looking for Smith and asking to be included when she so desires.
The extensive research Mori does for this series shines through, not just when she tells about that in her post script pages but in the clothes, items and cities she draws. And of course in chapters like the photography one, where the techniques are explained in detail.
August 21, 2020
Comme toujours : ma-gni-fi-que ! Les dessins sont magnifiques, d’une finesse et d’un raffinement dignes des broderies qui ornent les tenues des personnages. L'histoire sans qu'il y ait nécessité d'avoir du drame ni des scènes d'actions folles offre un univers oriental qui nous emporte vers ces contrées aux coutumes méconnues. Smith est l'acteur principal de ce tome. J'ai tout de même hâte de retrouver nos principaux protagonistes :-)
Attends avec impatience le prochain tome !
Attends avec impatience le prochain tome !
September 10, 2019
We start off with a short chapter with a few scenes with Amir and Karluk, before shifting to what's going on with Smith and friends in Ankara, and they start their long journey back to Central Asia. Great art again as usual, but man, I wish I could binge this series.
Chapter 76, "Watch," is also hilarious.
Chapter 76, "Watch," is also hilarious.
July 30, 2024
سفر طلاس و اسمیت واقعا زیبا و دلنشین بود. این دوتا زوج خیلی خوبی هستن
نکته ای که مورد خیلی از مانگا وجود داره اینه که درمورد خیلی از چیزها به صورت تخصصی توضیح میدن انگار میخوان به خواننده
یاد بدن؛ توی این جلد هم نحوه استفاده از دوربین و عکس گرفتن به طور دقیق توضیح داده میشه که برای من خیلی جالب بود.
چپتر های آخر ،درست مثل طلاس، دلم میخواست سوار یکی از اون تاب ها بشم! به نظر خیلی باحال بودن
نکته ای که مورد خیلی از مانگا وجود داره اینه که درمورد خیلی از چیزها به صورت تخصصی توضیح میدن انگار میخوان به خواننده
یاد بدن؛ توی این جلد هم نحوه استفاده از دوربین و عکس گرفتن به طور دقیق توضیح داده میشه که برای من خیلی جالب بود.
چپتر های آخر ،درست مثل طلاس، دلم میخواست سوار یکی از اون تاب ها بشم! به نظر خیلی باحال بودن
October 18, 2019
The artwork was just as gorgeous as always, and the chapter about the camera and developing film was extremely informative. But- I feel the translation was sloppy? I don't know...the words just didn't seem to flow as easily in this one. Not compared to the other books in the series.
February 18, 2020
Just gorgeous. I love Kaoru Mori and anything she wants to draw.
September 25, 2019
As always, the artwork is so detailed and utterly beautiful, and the story is amazing as well! It’s always such a pleasure to read one of these volumes :)
September 20, 2021
It was lovely to be back with this series. Here were follow Me. Smith as her prepares for his journey and his new bride / fiancé.
The book, like the rest of the series, has this gentle pace to it which is lovely. Talas especially has this air of sadness and joy in her which made me tear up. As she is a quiet character and Mr Smith is very reserved himself this volume is also very understated in the romance department.
The Details of travel take up a lot of the volume which are fun to learn about, like how the older cameras work. Ms. Mori has a great attention to detail. For example, Talas is moved by seeing her mother’s face reflected in her own when she sees her picture for the first time. It’s such a lovely detail following a technical explanation.
For touches like this and a generate grace which took some time to settle but won me over I’m giving this a (fully biased ) 5 stars
Can’t wait for the next volume as Mr. Smith backtracks to places we have seen before.
The book, like the rest of the series, has this gentle pace to it which is lovely. Talas especially has this air of sadness and joy in her which made me tear up. As she is a quiet character and Mr Smith is very reserved himself this volume is also very understated in the romance department.
The Details of travel take up a lot of the volume which are fun to learn about, like how the older cameras work. Ms. Mori has a great attention to detail. For example, Talas is moved by seeing her mother’s face reflected in her own when she sees her picture for the first time. It’s such a lovely detail following a technical explanation.
For touches like this and a generate grace which took some time to settle but won me over I’m giving this a (fully biased ) 5 stars
Can’t wait for the next volume as Mr. Smith backtracks to places we have seen before.
April 23, 2021
An unusual and enticing series! I loved picking up vol. 11 after a break from the library during Covid. I can't wait to get volume 12.
December 10, 2019
In Summary
A renewal of vows, a lesson in 19th-century photography, and then it’s back on the road for Smith. This time, however, Talas accompanies him on his expedition to take pictures of the Persian interior. Not the most romantic start to their life together, but with Smith intending to visit all the towns he’d passed through, it looks like we’ll see the happily-ever-afters of all the brides in this series.
The Review
Volume 11 opens with Chapter 70, “Song of Midwinter.” Rather than a narrative, this chapter is a gorgeous montage of single and double-page illustrations depicting different winter scenes in town and on the plains. There’s no dialogue, but captions following Amir’s perspective provide almost poetic descriptions.
Then the story returns to the reunited lovers, Mr. Smith and Talas. As it turns out, their meeting in Ankara was not entirely the result of serendipity. The clock winds back to show the highlights of their relationship from Talas’ perspective. For such a quiet character, she’s remarkably determined and passionate. Equally remarkable is the husband her uncle forced her to marry. Not only does he sympathize with her heartache, he helps her journey to Ankara to look for Smith. When they don’t immediately find him there, Talas sells off her jewelry to prolong their stay. It’s a mind-boggling step of faith, especially considering there was zero coordination between Talas and Smith.
But fate has rejoined them, which causes new problems. Smith’s no-nonsense British compatriot Hawkins is quite vocal about the disapproval their marriage would stir in England. Talas, for her part, is oddly diffident in this discussion. The woman has literally given up her whole world to go after Smith, and after all that sacrifice, she says she’s content to be used as a servant? Perhaps that is an accurate characterization of a nineteenth century Central Eurasian woman, but from my Western perspective, her attitude is perplexing.
At any rate, despite the tensions brewing in the region, Smith resolves to travel back through Persia to take photographs. And despite the danger and uncertainty, Talas chooses to accompany him. There is no wedding, but once again, the two exchange promises and a token of their love.
That resolved, Smith and company make preparations, which include a chapter-long lesson in 19th-century photography. The wet collodion process is a lengthy, material-intensive endeavor involving various implements and chemicals. It’s largely the mixing of various compounds, so it’s less visually stimulating than the chapters on sewing or falconry, but if you are curious about early photography, it lays out the steps very clearly. When Smith finally leaves Ankara, he’s gained a couple camels, one fiancée, and the guard Nikolovsky on loan from Hawkins. The additional people bring a new dynamic to Smith’s travels, and considering Talas and Nikolovsky are tough, reliable individuals, spacey Mr. Smith appears to be in better hands than ever.
One more thing. For fun, Mori-sensei throws in a chapter about the watch that was Smith’s original engagement pledge to Talas. The journey carries the tone of a tall tale as the watch acquires a reputation so grand that Smith is gobsmacked when he chances upon it again.
Extras include Mori-sensei’s manga style afterword.
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
A renewal of vows, a lesson in 19th-century photography, and then it’s back on the road for Smith. This time, however, Talas accompanies him on his expedition to take pictures of the Persian interior. Not the most romantic start to their life together, but with Smith intending to visit all the towns he’d passed through, it looks like we’ll see the happily-ever-afters of all the brides in this series.
The Review
Volume 11 opens with Chapter 70, “Song of Midwinter.” Rather than a narrative, this chapter is a gorgeous montage of single and double-page illustrations depicting different winter scenes in town and on the plains. There’s no dialogue, but captions following Amir’s perspective provide almost poetic descriptions.
Then the story returns to the reunited lovers, Mr. Smith and Talas. As it turns out, their meeting in Ankara was not entirely the result of serendipity. The clock winds back to show the highlights of their relationship from Talas’ perspective. For such a quiet character, she’s remarkably determined and passionate. Equally remarkable is the husband her uncle forced her to marry. Not only does he sympathize with her heartache, he helps her journey to Ankara to look for Smith. When they don’t immediately find him there, Talas sells off her jewelry to prolong their stay. It’s a mind-boggling step of faith, especially considering there was zero coordination between Talas and Smith.
But fate has rejoined them, which causes new problems. Smith’s no-nonsense British compatriot Hawkins is quite vocal about the disapproval their marriage would stir in England. Talas, for her part, is oddly diffident in this discussion. The woman has literally given up her whole world to go after Smith, and after all that sacrifice, she says she’s content to be used as a servant? Perhaps that is an accurate characterization of a nineteenth century Central Eurasian woman, but from my Western perspective, her attitude is perplexing.
At any rate, despite the tensions brewing in the region, Smith resolves to travel back through Persia to take photographs. And despite the danger and uncertainty, Talas chooses to accompany him. There is no wedding, but once again, the two exchange promises and a token of their love.
That resolved, Smith and company make preparations, which include a chapter-long lesson in 19th-century photography. The wet collodion process is a lengthy, material-intensive endeavor involving various implements and chemicals. It’s largely the mixing of various compounds, so it’s less visually stimulating than the chapters on sewing or falconry, but if you are curious about early photography, it lays out the steps very clearly. When Smith finally leaves Ankara, he’s gained a couple camels, one fiancée, and the guard Nikolovsky on loan from Hawkins. The additional people bring a new dynamic to Smith’s travels, and considering Talas and Nikolovsky are tough, reliable individuals, spacey Mr. Smith appears to be in better hands than ever.
One more thing. For fun, Mori-sensei throws in a chapter about the watch that was Smith’s original engagement pledge to Talas. The journey carries the tone of a tall tale as the watch acquires a reputation so grand that Smith is gobsmacked when he chances upon it again.
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.
November 6, 2019
I didn't know this book was out yet, so I was really happy to find it at my LCS.
While I liked the story and showing of the world and people, not to mention how a simple thing can grow into a talisman that give both great luck and great misfortune, it didn't quite grab me the same way the last story did. That can be in part because it's been a while since I read the last book, or it may be because the MC wasn't the girl I like - can't remember her name right now, but oh well. It was still good, though, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Talas manage to stay on the travel and grow as a character.
And I'm considering giving the whole series a reread sometime next year. I want to see all the art again! It's so amazing! All the details!
While I liked the story and showing of the world and people, not to mention how a simple thing can grow into a talisman that give both great luck and great misfortune, it didn't quite grab me the same way the last story did. That can be in part because it's been a while since I read the last book, or it may be because the MC wasn't the girl I like - can't remember her name right now, but oh well. It was still good, though, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Talas manage to stay on the travel and grow as a character.
And I'm considering giving the whole series a reread sometime next year. I want to see all the art again! It's so amazing! All the details!
October 11, 2019
Like all of the books in this series this is interesting, touching, dramatic, funny and SO BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT.
Mori-san is a literal genius and these are some of the most gorgeous manga books anywhere, ever. If you haven't read a solid historical manga set along the Silk Road at the turn of the last century then you've missed a real treat - I cannot recommend this series highly enough.
Mori-san is a literal genius and these are some of the most gorgeous manga books anywhere, ever. If you haven't read a solid historical manga set along the Silk Road at the turn of the last century then you've missed a real treat - I cannot recommend this series highly enough.
March 20, 2020
This volume focuses primarily on the relationship between Talas and Mr. Smith. It also goes into great detail about the process of photographing and developing photographs using the collodion process.
There were some fantastic chapters in this volume, but the chapter I enjoyed the most was Watch. This was the chapter/story about what became of Mr. Smith's lost watch.
There were some fantastic chapters in this volume, but the chapter I enjoyed the most was Watch. This was the chapter/story about what became of Mr. Smith's lost watch.
February 24, 2022
10/19 This was better the second read. Really looking forward to the next volume!
9/19 This is rather a transition volume so I wasn't as impressed, but I do enjoy following the cover couple's adventures.
9/19 This is rather a transition volume so I wasn't as impressed, but I do enjoy following the cover couple's adventures.
January 20, 2020
Divino el dibujo como siempre, las escenas del recorrido en Antalya, super llenas de detalles y vida.
Este volumen es la historia de Talas, su reencuentro con Mr. Smith en Ankara, su decisión, preparativos para iniciar el viaje de regreso.
Este volumen es la historia de Talas, su reencuentro con Mr. Smith en Ankara, su decisión, preparativos para iniciar el viaje de regreso.
February 18, 2020
I so love this story. Smith is getting married to Talas. She has finally gotten up the nerve to tell him how she feels about him. There are so many people's stories in this series but each one in memorable!
September 10, 2019
The drawings are breathtaking as always. So much detail it's jaw-dropping.
September 23, 2019
The art is phenomenal in this volume! The story a bit slow, but looking at the images brings me such joy I don't even care.
December 5, 2019
I love Talas and Mr. Smith’s quiet devotion.
December 7, 2019
It makes so happy that Smith’s pocketwatch has found its home in someone else’s story.
December 13, 2019
The artwork is so beautiful! And I love the story too!
February 8, 2020
Toujours ma série manga préférée, les planches sont tout simplement sublimes
April 27, 2021
Honestly, I do not know of any other manga series that is more beautifully, lavishly, lovingly drawn. This is a feast for the eyes and for the heart.
I really like the way Kaoru Mori tells women's stories - women carving out place and space for themselves in a world and a society where they are not supposed to have either.
Let's not forget the meticulous historical research and all the nerdy details - in this volume, we went through collodion process photography in detail, and why not?
Highly recommended, and please keep them coming...
I really like the way Kaoru Mori tells women's stories - women carving out place and space for themselves in a world and a society where they are not supposed to have either.
Let's not forget the meticulous historical research and all the nerdy details - in this volume, we went through collodion process photography in detail, and why not?
Highly recommended, and please keep them coming...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews