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jessicavf's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
zare_i's review against another edition
4.0
It took me some time to read this book to be honest, I have finished it from the third run I was just taken down by the first few chapters were background for the story was given. After that story becomes more interesting and reads very fast.[return][return]After their lord is tricked to use force in Shogun s court and after he was expediently executed (as per law), lord Asano s samurais find themselves without master and noble house to serve. In the world where there is distinct difference between nobility and commoners (especially visible during the theater performance where samurais just cant believe that common folk can comprehend their ideals) ending up as ronin (masterless samurai) is great embarrassment.[return][return]After their petitions for justice are turned down, this brave group decides to take the ultimate step avenge their late master by taking down the man who brought him (and themselves) demise. They know that at the end they will face nothing else but death but they do not falter they are ready to follow their ideals to the very end. They start to prepare for their revenge by weaving the masterful plan of deception in order to put their enemies at ease. [return][return]This is interesting story from time that seems to be lost now time when ideals were worth fighting for. It provides great descriptions of human nature and relations (especially how the numbers of eager warriors dwindled by time).[return][return]Recommended.
unicornbanzaiiking's review against another edition
5.0
Just amazing. An incredible story and telling of honor and duty. The fact that this event actually took place gives me goosebumps.
martydah's review against another edition
2.0
Flat, pedestrian and dull. I'm sorry to say that, because the premise is so interesting. The introduction lead me to believe that this would be a swashbuckling tale. The legend of the 47 Ronin certainly has that potential - against all odds, 47 loyal retainers of the executed Lord Asano plot to avenge his death. They have to be crafty about it since the Shogun's spies are shadowing them wherever they go. Their target is the corrupt court official Kiro, who is the cause of their Lord's death and disgrace.
The book isn't all bad. The historical/cultural details are quite interesting. Sadly, that's not enough to resurrect this bland retelling. Some portions seemed tacked on, as with the affair of the commander Oishi and the geisha Agaru. There wasn't much character development either. The characters seemed a bit like automatons. I'd give this one a pass.
The book isn't all bad. The historical/cultural details are quite interesting. Sadly, that's not enough to resurrect this bland retelling. Some portions seemed tacked on, as with the affair of the commander Oishi and the geisha Agaru. There wasn't much character development either. The characters seemed a bit like automatons. I'd give this one a pass.