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A review by lillist
Tangled Spirits by Kate Shanahan
4.0
As a fan of Sei Shonagon's "Pillow Book" I was really happy for the chance to receive an ARC of Tangled Spirits by Kate Shanahan. The story revolves around Mina, a student of Japanese Literature from the year 2019, whose spirit is accidentally whisked into the body of Masako, the daughter of a minor member of court during the Heian era who is dreaming of becoming a Miko in a Shinto shrine. Together they have to travel to the court of the Heian emperor in order to have the court astronomer Seimei help them to separate their spirits and send Mina back to 2019 before their spirits get tangled permanently. But of cource, Seimei expects something in exchange from the spirit from the future, and so Mina and Masako get swept up in court intrigue, political plotting and the world of spirits.
Kate Shanahan is clearly a huge fan of the Heian era and the book feels well researched and enthusiastic. There is a strong focus on the paranormal side of things: in Heian Japan, all sorts of Obake and other spirits are basically real and actually part of some important events in the plot. Personally, I would have preferred more focus on everyday court life and rituals and less spiritual stuff, but that is a matter of taste. I loved that real events were part of the plot and that Sei Shonagon plays a prominent role.
Unfortunately, the main character of Mina did not really work for me. Somehow, she managed to be an unpleasant combination of bland, selfish, self-conscious and arrogant. I never had a grasp of what sort of personality she might have, and I did not really like her. Her behaviour often did not add up - she would do/think one thing and then in the next moment criticize just that very thought/action. She as a very problematic relationship with men that is never really explored: she inexplicably violently attracted to powerful and cruel men against her better judgement. Why? When a young man does not make a move on her on the first occasion he gets, she wonders if he is gay. WTH? Generally, she is really messy but there is no real growth for her during the course of the book.
Masako worked better for me, I could relate to her wishes and ambitions a lot more. Also, many of the secondary characters were drawn quite well. Still, I would call the characterizations the main weak spot of "Tangled Spirits", as they often lacked some coherence.
Other than that this was a fascinating look into Heian Japan and a great starter if you are curious about this time of great refinement and amazing cultural achievements. Also, if you haven't picked up the Pillow Book - you absolutely should. It is amazing and I think it would appeal to just about everyone!
I have received an advance review copy via BookSirens and voluntarily provide my honest opinion. Thank you very much!
Kate Shanahan is clearly a huge fan of the Heian era and the book feels well researched and enthusiastic. There is a strong focus on the paranormal side of things: in Heian Japan, all sorts of Obake and other spirits are basically real and actually part of some important events in the plot. Personally, I would have preferred more focus on everyday court life and rituals and less spiritual stuff, but that is a matter of taste. I loved that real events were part of the plot and that Sei Shonagon plays a prominent role.
Unfortunately, the main character of Mina did not really work for me. Somehow, she managed to be an unpleasant combination of bland, selfish, self-conscious and arrogant. I never had a grasp of what sort of personality she might have, and I did not really like her. Her behaviour often did not add up - she would do/think one thing and then in the next moment criticize just that very thought/action. She as a very problematic relationship with men that is never really explored: she inexplicably violently attracted to powerful and cruel men against her better judgement. Why? When a young man does not make a move on her on the first occasion he gets, she wonders if he is gay. WTH? Generally, she is really messy but there is no real growth for her during the course of the book.
Masako worked better for me, I could relate to her wishes and ambitions a lot more. Also, many of the secondary characters were drawn quite well. Still, I would call the characterizations the main weak spot of "Tangled Spirits", as they often lacked some coherence.
Other than that this was a fascinating look into Heian Japan and a great starter if you are curious about this time of great refinement and amazing cultural achievements. Also, if you haven't picked up the Pillow Book - you absolutely should. It is amazing and I think it would appeal to just about everyone!
I have received an advance review copy via BookSirens and voluntarily provide my honest opinion. Thank you very much!