Christopher > Recent Status Updates

I'm still not sure I really understand the plot of this novel yet. I mean, I know what's happening to (some of) the characters, but what's the point? There's no real end goal in sight, like Lord of the Rings. Feels extremely random.

Incredibly fascinating. 10% done a 1200 page book and yet I'm worried it's going by too quickly.

Sansom may have been a good Japanologist, but he most definitely had the slightest flair for good, engaging writing of anyone I've ever read. His storytelling prowess so flat that he makes even the most exciting adventures feel boring. It's almost impressive. Besides, this is primarily a military history of Japan, with some brief asides on literature and religion. Not really my thing.

Way too many characters. Too much time between characters makes it hard to care for anyone. Right now I'm thinking 3/5, but I have hopes it'll improve.

Somehow Sansom manages to turn Japanese history into an insanely boring ordeal. Mid-century narrative history told with class and wit, written for an educated but not specialist audience, is generally my favorite. Maybe it's an utter lack of wit, but something is awfully lacking here.

Inordinately fascinating. The phrase 子不语, that of which the Master would not speak, keeps coming to mind. Most books barely acknowledge the existence of spirit mediumship, vaguely glossing over the notion if they mention it at all. It feels almost like Bellezza is breaking a taboo by actually exploring the history and practice of something so otherwise secret (or shunned).

Sun Wukong is disturbingly inept now. In the beginning, before his confinement, the combined armies of Heaven were no match for him. Now he goes running to Avalokiteshvara for help every time he runs into a little monster!

I do wish more was said about the dissolution of the Yuan and the Mongol retreat northwards. The founding of the Ming is almost entirely told as a story of rebel armies, especially the Red Turbans, competing amongst themselves for a power that the reader is left to mostly guess simply evaporated. Sure, we heard lots about Yuan weakness, but I feel like the actual fall was glossed over too quickly.

I have one primary dissatisfaction with this otherwise excellent book, which is that despite all the talk about Longhushan holding a monopoly on ordinations, not a word has been said about the efficacy of that monopoly. How widespread was the sale of ordinations outside this monopoly and to what extent did the government go after fraudsters?