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amblygon_writes's review
3.0
The story was quite sweet and I really enjoyed the historical details, but I found the characters a bit dull and the writing a bit boring.
neenor's review
1.0
I don't think this book could have been more boring. It had an interesting start, but I could see the technical inaccuracies from a mile away (I've read enough books about geishas to know that the author didn't have much of a clue) and in the end, it just put me to sleep. It was the same story repeat several times over - girl meets boy, girl falls for boy, boy leaves, boy reappears - and repeat. After the first time, it gets tired.
annadelal's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
perpetuallytiredpanda's review against another edition
5.0
Not my usual pick. A member of the book club told me about the challenge involving historical fiction, since I don’t read that kind of books I thought about giving it a try, and I am really glad I did it. It is a real delight.
Japanese writers provided my knowledge of the historical literature of Japan. However Lesley’s view and interpretation of the old Japan, their traditions, families, social concepts, etc. has proven to be as beautiful and detailed as if she had been there in 1873.
I enjoy reading; usually when reading I tend to picture the way I would love the story to follow, however when the story follows my imaginary path I get disappointed (I know I’m weird hehehe), but in this case the story made me cry, laugh and hope. But above all it made me hate and love the characters, is something new for me. Before this book whenever I disliked a character it would remain like that the entire book, however in this case I couldn’t help myself in hating and caring for the characters (all of them).
Through the pages I’ve learnt the hard living of the samurais, I felt angry when they got rip off their duties and their honorable life. I could imagine how the “traitors” in their westerns’ outfit looked for them. But also I was able to understand the other side, the side looking to get Japan involved in the world, to be part of the global economy, etc.
This book is so beautifully written, that get immersed in the story, almost as if you were living it as one of the characters. I wanted to protect Taka from her brother, and at the same time I needed her to understand her brother actions. I could picture Nobu’s eyes filled with anger when looking at Eijiro, but looking hopelessly in love when fixed in Taka.
This book not only revolves around the love between Taka and Nobu, but also their past, a social past, where is more important what happened to each clan than what they were feeling. It also portrays a future where, if they have it, they will have to learn to live with their betrays to theirs clans, principles and at some point, to themselves.
As in every story where war is involved, there is a winner and a loser, but at the end of this book you are so attached to every character that I found myself hoping for the book to end before the last battle, to leave me with the “hope” even when I also wanted closure and whished for the magpies to build a bridge for the “weaver princess and the cowherd”.
Japanese writers provided my knowledge of the historical literature of Japan. However Lesley’s view and interpretation of the old Japan, their traditions, families, social concepts, etc. has proven to be as beautiful and detailed as if she had been there in 1873.
I enjoy reading; usually when reading I tend to picture the way I would love the story to follow, however when the story follows my imaginary path I get disappointed (I know I’m weird hehehe), but in this case the story made me cry, laugh and hope. But above all it made me hate and love the characters, is something new for me. Before this book whenever I disliked a character it would remain like that the entire book, however in this case I couldn’t help myself in hating and caring for the characters (all of them).
Through the pages I’ve learnt the hard living of the samurais, I felt angry when they got rip off their duties and their honorable life. I could imagine how the “traitors” in their westerns’ outfit looked for them. But also I was able to understand the other side, the side looking to get Japan involved in the world, to be part of the global economy, etc.
This book is so beautifully written, that get immersed in the story, almost as if you were living it as one of the characters. I wanted to protect Taka from her brother, and at the same time I needed her to understand her brother actions. I could picture Nobu’s eyes filled with anger when looking at Eijiro, but looking hopelessly in love when fixed in Taka.
This book not only revolves around the love between Taka and Nobu, but also their past, a social past, where is more important what happened to each clan than what they were feeling. It also portrays a future where, if they have it, they will have to learn to live with their betrays to theirs clans, principles and at some point, to themselves.
As in every story where war is involved, there is a winner and a loser, but at the end of this book you are so attached to every character that I found myself hoping for the book to end before the last battle, to leave me with the “hope” even when I also wanted closure and whished for the magpies to build a bridge for the “weaver princess and the cowherd”.
angek98's review
4.0
Across a Bridge of Dreams is just as much about war as it is romance.
The backdrop of the Satsuma Rebellion provided an interesting and entertaining addition to the drama of the story, providing a forbidden love between our two main characters, Nobu and Taka. I liked the dynamic between these two, but I feel like I would have liked it more if their characters were better developed.
The main issue I have with this book is that most of the characters fell a bit short of personality for me. The only character I feel had a developed personality was Eijiro. Everyone else was bland and boring. I also feel like the romance was developed weirdly as well.
Lesley Downer's writing is amazing. It's so poetic and brilliant I found myself a bit envious of her skills. I think if I get the chance to I might read another one of her books.
Oh, and as an afterthought, I didn't like the binding on this book. The pages were really thick and it was hard to open, and really heavy. It didn't change my perception of the novel, but I found it to be a bit of an annoyance.
The backdrop of the Satsuma Rebellion provided an interesting and entertaining addition to the drama of the story, providing a forbidden love between our two main characters, Nobu and Taka. I liked the dynamic between these two, but I feel like I would have liked it more if their characters were better developed.
The main issue I have with this book is that most of the characters fell a bit short of personality for me. The only character I feel had a developed personality was Eijiro. Everyone else was bland and boring. I also feel like the romance was developed weirdly as well.
Lesley Downer's writing is amazing. It's so poetic and brilliant I found myself a bit envious of her skills. I think if I get the chance to I might read another one of her books.
Oh, and as an afterthought, I didn't like the binding on this book. The pages were really thick and it was hard to open, and really heavy. It didn't change my perception of the novel, but I found it to be a bit of an annoyance.
novelbloglover's review
4.0
Book review
Title: Across the bridge of dreams
Author: Lesley Downer
Genre: historical/ romance/ cultural
Rating: ****
Review: Japan in the 1870s is on the cusp of change.
The flower and willow time of the Geisha and the Samurai is passing; the forward-thinking are adopting Western dress and more, educating their daughters, working in banks and eating beef. It is also a time of unrest where the ruling Satsuma clan are threatened by corruption within and the long memories and simmering revenge of the resentful and defeated Aiku. Against this background Nobu and Taka fall in love defying barriers of class and clan.
A Romeo and Juliet story set amongst the cherry trees, Taka’s mother is a renowned Geisha and her father a respected general; Nobu is a servant from the despised Aizu class. Their love is doomed and Taka is promised in an arranged marriage. However when civil war breaks out, positions are reversed and Taka flees south near her father’s mountain eyrie and Nobu is part of the opposing national forces. War is not a tea ceremony and Taka must forget her dancing and calligraphy and take up the halberd as a samurai woman.
This is an absorbing love story set in a turbulent and interesting period of history. Lesley Downer has written extensively on the Geisha culture and she draws on this knowledge and the true story of the Last Samurai to create a period-perfect romance with likeable and engaging characters. Love and revenge are powerful emotions, the plot line is strong and the setting fascinating making this a great summer read.
Title: Across the bridge of dreams
Author: Lesley Downer
Genre: historical/ romance/ cultural
Rating: ****
Review: Japan in the 1870s is on the cusp of change.
The flower and willow time of the Geisha and the Samurai is passing; the forward-thinking are adopting Western dress and more, educating their daughters, working in banks and eating beef. It is also a time of unrest where the ruling Satsuma clan are threatened by corruption within and the long memories and simmering revenge of the resentful and defeated Aiku. Against this background Nobu and Taka fall in love defying barriers of class and clan.
A Romeo and Juliet story set amongst the cherry trees, Taka’s mother is a renowned Geisha and her father a respected general; Nobu is a servant from the despised Aizu class. Their love is doomed and Taka is promised in an arranged marriage. However when civil war breaks out, positions are reversed and Taka flees south near her father’s mountain eyrie and Nobu is part of the opposing national forces. War is not a tea ceremony and Taka must forget her dancing and calligraphy and take up the halberd as a samurai woman.
This is an absorbing love story set in a turbulent and interesting period of history. Lesley Downer has written extensively on the Geisha culture and she draws on this knowledge and the true story of the Last Samurai to create a period-perfect romance with likeable and engaging characters. Love and revenge are powerful emotions, the plot line is strong and the setting fascinating making this a great summer read.
angek22's review
4.0
Across a Bridge of Dreams is just as much about war as it is romance.
The backdrop of the Satsuma Rebellion provided an interesting and entertaining addition to the drama of the story, providing a forbidden love between our two main characters, Nobu and Taka. I liked the dynamic between these two, but I feel like I would have liked it more if their characters were better developed.
The main issue I have with this book is that most of the characters fell a bit short of personality for me. The only character I feel had a developed personality was Eijiro. Everyone else was bland and boring. I also feel like the romance was developed weirdly as well.
Lesley Downer's writing is amazing. It's so poetic and brilliant I found myself a bit envious of her skills. I think if I get the chance to I might read another one of her books.
Oh, and as an afterthought, I didn't like the binding on this book. The pages were really thick and it was hard to open, and really heavy. It didn't change my perception of the novel, but I found it to be a bit of an annoyance.
The backdrop of the Satsuma Rebellion provided an interesting and entertaining addition to the drama of the story, providing a forbidden love between our two main characters, Nobu and Taka. I liked the dynamic between these two, but I feel like I would have liked it more if their characters were better developed.
The main issue I have with this book is that most of the characters fell a bit short of personality for me. The only character I feel had a developed personality was Eijiro. Everyone else was bland and boring. I also feel like the romance was developed weirdly as well.
Lesley Downer's writing is amazing. It's so poetic and brilliant I found myself a bit envious of her skills. I think if I get the chance to I might read another one of her books.
Oh, and as an afterthought, I didn't like the binding on this book. The pages were really thick and it was hard to open, and really heavy. It didn't change my perception of the novel, but I found it to be a bit of an annoyance.
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