Reviews

Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa

aloofnono'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? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

carlitos2309's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

What an adventure. What a journey. 970 pages later, the trip to 1600s feudal Japan that started in early of October has reached its conclusion. Much time, energy, and imagination was invested in this novel; it was worth every ounce of it. Contemplative and philosophical, it calls on to your inner spirit of perpetual growth in the aspects most practical in our life. Best book I've read in all of 2023. One of those books you're sad to finish.

wildguitars's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars
Firstly some good points: beautifully written, musashi is a facinating main character that has depth and kojiro as well,the story has a good ending as well.

The bad: too long, you chould cut half of the story and not much whould change, the other characters felt two dimensional at best and unrealistic, otsu was annoying and naive on the verge of stupidity, just not very complex or compelling supporting characters, also i dont know much about japanese way of life so i think i missed some stuff that felt weird for a westener..

slow_reader_'s review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

rahrahsayah'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

zhoorba's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

nantoka_neko's review against another edition

Maybe I'm gonna finish it later, but it's just too long for now. I already know the story from the manga Vagabond, and although there are some differences, the overall story stays the same. Still, love Vagabond and Musashi! :)

carrot_1's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

jwave08's review against another edition

5.0

Wow this is such dense and fascinating book. I am so happy I read it. It was one of those books that really challenged how I was living my life, rather, challenged me to change how I was living in the moment.

Some important themes that specifically resonated with me were 1) Living with the cards you have been dealt in life and 2) Eliminate useless tasks / activities that do not advance you to where you would like to be. Specifically 2) is staying with me, refocusing me into committing my time towards things that make me who I want to be, and tasks that make me a better person.

Another piece I found interesting, staying with my list, is 3) the idea of isolating yourself in order to discover yourself. That is so fascinating and foreign to me. I would like to incorporate that more into my life.

All and all, this turned into a self help book and an incredible story of one amazing humans life. If you have some time on your hands (or if you focused on this book during your summer lunch time, because hey, you got to find time for you), check this book out.

#100YearsOfBooks

diggitalot's review against another edition

challenging 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