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bethanlcollins's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a delightful read
careydnelson's review against another edition
5.0
A truly epic tale that often had me spellbound.
I was completely surprised to find this is the most anime thing I've ever experienced. I also feel like it explains so much.
Sure, there are some lulls, and darn if you don't want characters to just get over themselves and their 17th century Japanese culture, but there is a power here.
I was completely surprised to find this is the most anime thing I've ever experienced. I also feel like it explains so much.
Sure, there are some lulls, and darn if you don't want characters to just get over themselves and their 17th century Japanese culture, but there is a power here.
clarks_dad's review against another edition
5.0
Only one word can describe this book: EPIC. Published initially in serial format, this is probably one of the best works of historical fiction I've ever read. Yeah it has cheesey martial arts elements to it, but the author takes very great pains to really develop all of the characters. We see them change as they grow. Should be required reading for any future novelist on how to bring your characters along and give them depth.
lads's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
neilsarver's review against another edition
5.0
Upon realizing how far my dry streak in reading, during which I listened to a lot of wonderful music, had left me a long way short on my arbitrary Goodreads reading goal for the year, this would not have been a good choice to get me caught up.
As it happens, it was an amazing choice for what my needs from a book were. Mind you, I was disappointed going in to realize that the English translation was abridged, but I will admit that after completing it, I'm not sure I needed more. While I generally disagree with the running complaint that it's too long and meanders too much, it is not too short or in need of extra meandering, for my needs either.
Perhaps people looking for a different book than this is will find themselves disappointed. Those who are looking for the kind of book that inspired a manga called "[b:Vagabond|3175995|Vagabond, Vol. 1|Takehiko Inoue|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388734973s/3175995.jpg|41780673]" might be the right people to be ready to follow along on the kind of journey this book has in store.
As it happens, it was an amazing choice for what my needs from a book were. Mind you, I was disappointed going in to realize that the English translation was abridged, but I will admit that after completing it, I'm not sure I needed more. While I generally disagree with the running complaint that it's too long and meanders too much, it is not too short or in need of extra meandering, for my needs either.
Perhaps people looking for a different book than this is will find themselves disappointed. Those who are looking for the kind of book that inspired a manga called "[b:Vagabond|3175995|Vagabond, Vol. 1|Takehiko Inoue|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388734973s/3175995.jpg|41780673]" might be the right people to be ready to follow along on the kind of journey this book has in store.
hamnswiss7's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
desijut's review against another edition
5.0
Shinmen Takezō also known as Miyamoto Musashi was a samurai in 17th century Japan, who holds the undefeated record of 61 duels. He is also an author in his own right. His books express not only his view on martial arts but philosophy too. In Japan he has become a mythical figure with books (like this one), movies, manga and many other forms of media dedicated to him.
There are multiple reasons why he has gained this status. From his unrivalled swordsmanship to his ideas. This book exemplifies this, sharing with us a fictional account of a part of his life. Taking us from the battle of sekighara in 1600 as a brash teenager to his development into a true Samurai (punctuated by a lot, and I mean a lot of violence). Of note in the book is the role of Takuan Sōhō, a Zen Buddhist monk who is famous in his own right, who acts as a sort of mentor to Musashi.
A lot of young people will be drawn to this book, like me because a lot of the things he has to deal with can be relatable. Whether it's being a young kid not knowing their place in the world, forging their own path in the world, love, romance, picking between all the choices there are out there and the sacrifices that have to be made for him to achieve greatness. There is a lot of violence in this book, however there are also a lot of introspective moments that make this a truly great book.
Given that this book was written in the 1930s, it also gives us a glimpse into the way that bushido was viewed in Imperialist Japan and can help us to understand the motivations behind the people who would go into Kamikaze missions and hold other such views/actions during WW2. Along with this, it gives a peak into life during the Samurai era in Japan. This was precisely the moment Japan closed its borders to the world. Personally, I used this book to jump into Japanese History.
Whether you want a great story, or a look into history. This book will not disappoint,
There are multiple reasons why he has gained this status. From his unrivalled swordsmanship to his ideas. This book exemplifies this, sharing with us a fictional account of a part of his life. Taking us from the battle of sekighara in 1600 as a brash teenager to his development into a true Samurai (punctuated by a lot, and I mean a lot of violence). Of note in the book is the role of Takuan Sōhō, a Zen Buddhist monk who is famous in his own right, who acts as a sort of mentor to Musashi.
A lot of young people will be drawn to this book, like me because a lot of the things he has to deal with can be relatable. Whether it's being a young kid not knowing their place in the world, forging their own path in the world, love, romance, picking between all the choices there are out there and the sacrifices that have to be made for him to achieve greatness. There is a lot of violence in this book, however there are also a lot of introspective moments that make this a truly great book.
Given that this book was written in the 1930s, it also gives us a glimpse into the way that bushido was viewed in Imperialist Japan and can help us to understand the motivations behind the people who would go into Kamikaze missions and hold other such views/actions during WW2. Along with this, it gives a peak into life during the Samurai era in Japan. This was precisely the moment Japan closed its borders to the world. Personally, I used this book to jump into Japanese History.
Whether you want a great story, or a look into history. This book will not disappoint,
spyder_trauma_rose's review against another edition
5.0
The heavily fictionalized story of Miyomoto Musashi. It's relation to the actual facts of his life and even personality vacillate wildly, the book being a prime example of when the legend becomes fact, you print the legend, but in that legend is an incredible epic novel with two of the greatest paragraphs written in all of fiction.