Cloud of Sparrows by Takashi Matsuoka is a historical fiction novel set in Japan during the 19th century, portraying a time of rapid change as modern ways replace the samurai lifestyle. The story follows Lord Genji, a samurai more inclined towards poetry and love than swordsmanship, who also possesses the family curse of seeing visions of the future. The narrative is filled with complex characters, intertwining plot lines, subterfuge, revenge, and romance, creating a rich tapestry of samurai historical fiction.
The book delves into the clash between traditional Japanese culture and the encroaching influence of Westerners, particularly through the interactions between a group of American missionaries and the Tokumichi samurai clan. The author weaves together multiple storylines, including the struggles of the characters amidst a changing world, the dynamics of power and politics, and the exploration of love, duty, and revenge, all set against the backdrop of feudal Japan transitioning into a new era.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include graphic violence, including decapitations and the brutal realities of samurai warfare, as well as themes related to cultural transition and personal trauma.
Has Romance?
There is a significant romantic element in Cloud of Sparrows, featuring multiple romantic plotlines that influence character motivations.
From The Publisher:
"Exotic, entertaining . . . [an] exceptional first novel."-San Francisco Chronicle
The year is 1861. After two centuries of isolation, Japan has opened its doors to the West. And as foreign ships threaten to rain destruction on the Shogun's castle in Edo, a small group of American missionaries has arrived to spread the word of their God. They have yet to realize that their future in Japan has already been foreseen. For a young nobleman has dreamt that his life will be saved by an outsider in the New Year. . . and it is said that Lord Genji has the gift of prophecy. What happens next-when the handsome lord meets an appa rently reformed gunslinger and a woman in flight from her own destructive beauty-sets the stage for a remarkable adventure. For as this unlikely band embarks on a journey through a landscape bristling with danger, East and West, flesh and spirit, past and future, collide in ways no one-least of all Genji-could have imagined.
Praise for Cloud of Sparrows
"The book seizes you from start to finish."-The Washington Post
"Adventure-filled."-Entertainment Weekly
"Rich . . . with an ambitious, unexpected ending that cuts deeper than a samurai sword."-San Francisco Chronicle
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About the Author:
Takashi Matsuoka grew up in Hawaii. He lives in Honolulu, where he was employed at a Zen Buddhist temple before becoming a full-time writer. He is the author of the acclaimed novel Cloud of Sparrows and Autumn Bridge.
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