When a friend asks me to recommend a novel I instinctively shout 'Anything by James Clavell'. There is something about Clavell's work that captivates me and leaves me begging for more. I'm a huge fan of his characters and there is none better than Toranaga.
My favourite novel is Shogun and I confess I have read it a number of times. It's a cross-cultural saga in which Japan is as much a character as the characters themselves. For me it's a sad day when I finish it knowing full well I won't be able to re-enter that world again for a while. You see, I give myself a bit of time before I pick it up again to forget as much of it as possible. I'm due for another read shortly.
His five novels, Shogun, Gai-Jin, Tai-Pan, Noble House and Whirlwind (known as The Asian Saga) are loosely tied together stretching from the 1600's to 1979. King Rat is a stand alone (but also included in the Asian Saga umbrella) dealing with prison camp life during the second world war. King Rat itself is a fantastic novel made all the better due to James Clavell's first hand experience with being a prisoner of war.
James Clavell also penned some silver screen classics, notably The Great Escape with Steve McQueen and To Sir, With Love with Sidney Poitier.
They say he was born in Sydney but some speculate he came to Australia from the UK. I tell people that he was a Sydney boy with pride. At any rate, was is the operative word of my last sentance. He passed away in 1994 leaving behind inspiring, for me at any rate, masterpieces.
My favourite novel is Shogun and I confess I have read it a number of times. It's a cross-cultural saga in which Japan is as much a character as the characters themselves. For me it's a sad day when I finish it knowing full well I won't be able to re-enter that world again for a while. You see, I give myself a bit of time before I pick it up again to forget as much of it as possible. I'm due for another read shortly.
His five novels, Shogun, Gai-Jin, Tai-Pan, Noble House and Whirlwind (known as The Asian Saga) are loosely tied together stretching from the 1600's to 1979. King Rat is a stand alone (but also included in the Asian Saga umbrella) dealing with prison camp life during the second world war. King Rat itself is a fantastic novel made all the better due to James Clavell's first hand experience with being a prisoner of war.
James Clavell also penned some silver screen classics, notably The Great Escape with Steve McQueen and To Sir, With Love with Sidney Poitier.
They say he was born in Sydney but some speculate he came to Australia from the UK. I tell people that he was a Sydney boy with pride. At any rate, was is the operative word of my last sentance. He passed away in 1994 leaving behind inspiring, for me at any rate, masterpieces.
