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simoncolumbus's review against another edition
3.5
The Blue Wolf is Yasushi Inoue's historical novel of the life of Genghis Khan. Characteristically, Inoue weaves historical accuracy with a fine psychological portrait of the Mongolian conqueror. Neither idolising nor condemning Genghis Khan, he instead seeks to intuit what might have driven his conquests.
In Inoue's writing, Temüjin (the later Genghis Khan) is unsure about his Mongolian ancestry, and later of his fatherhood of his own firstborn. Recapturing his father's lost chieftainship and making the Mongols the dominant force in the steppe and, later, in Asia and the world thus becomes a mission driven by the urge to overcome these doubts. Yet, and this is Inoue's strength, this story is never didactic, but rather told from a perspective that comes very close to the characters.
The English translation was published by a university press and the translator is a professor of Asian studies, which shows. On the one hand, there is admirable focus on detail, e.g. in transliteration, which befits Inoue's carefully researched work. On the other hand, there are occasional Americanisms and modern turns of phrase that I can only doubt have snuck in through the translation.
In Inoue's writing, Temüjin (the later Genghis Khan) is unsure about his Mongolian ancestry, and later of his fatherhood of his own firstborn. Recapturing his father's lost chieftainship and making the Mongols the dominant force in the steppe and, later, in Asia and the world thus becomes a mission driven by the urge to overcome these doubts. Yet, and this is Inoue's strength, this story is never didactic, but rather told from a perspective that comes very close to the characters.
The English translation was published by a university press and the translator is a professor of Asian studies, which shows. On the one hand, there is admirable focus on detail, e.g. in transliteration, which befits Inoue's carefully researched work. On the other hand, there are occasional Americanisms and modern turns of phrase that I can only doubt have snuck in through the translation.
doriangraim's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
readingthroughthelists's review against another edition
4.0
It’s difficult to describe this novel, much less rate it. To begin with, it doesn’t really feel like a novel--it opens with a recitation of facts that introduce our time period, setting, and major figures. There’s a deliberate distance we feel from many of the characters--we rarely enter into their minds or emotions and have to be continually reminded who is who (I referred frequently to the cast of characters at the back of the book).
But there is one exception: Temujin. We do know what he thinks and how he feels. Every time Yasushi takes us into his mind and motivations, moving from wide panoramas into a laser focus, the whole story suddenly opens up and expands. “I get him,” I found myself saying about halfway through. And for a figure as ruthless and enigmatic as Genghis Khan, this is no small accomplishment. Every decision made in this novel is careful and precise--you do not realize that you are being sucked in until you are halfway through and cannot put it down.
The exploration of character motivations and relationships are sparse but powerful. I wept when Temujin (now Chinggis Khan) realizes that, of all his sons, it is Jochi the guest, the outsider, whom he loves most.
The Blue Wolf would be an excellent guide for a TV series about the Mongols. It provides the outline, the blueprint, the core of what could be fleshed out into something truly stunning.
4 stars.
But there is one exception: Temujin. We do know what he thinks and how he feels. Every time Yasushi takes us into his mind and motivations, moving from wide panoramas into a laser focus, the whole story suddenly opens up and expands. “I get him,” I found myself saying about halfway through. And for a figure as ruthless and enigmatic as Genghis Khan, this is no small accomplishment. Every decision made in this novel is careful and precise--you do not realize that you are being sucked in until you are halfway through and cannot put it down.
The exploration of character motivations and relationships are sparse but powerful. I wept when Temujin (now Chinggis Khan) realizes that, of all his sons, it is Jochi the guest, the outsider, whom he loves most.
The Blue Wolf would be an excellent guide for a TV series about the Mongols. It provides the outline, the blueprint, the core of what could be fleshed out into something truly stunning.
4 stars.
brynhammond's review against another edition
If you've seen the Japanese film - Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea, this is the novel they took the plot from.
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