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A review by justinlife
Gai-Jin by James Clavell
Did not finish book.
Unfortunately Goodreads doesn’t heave a “Not finished” shelf.
Let’s talk about why this book is awful and I couldn’t finish it!
First off, I have two other James Clavell books. Shogun and Tai-Pan are fantastic epics that really a reader can emerge themselves in. I loved them so much I bought all of his other books.
I started this one and was able to get about 200 pages and had to put it down. There wasn’t a central character of interest. There were many, but none that the reader could get behind and explore the world Clavell created. It was like he was showing us all the pieces of the puzzle too early and not a single center piece.
Now, I’m all for an epic with 100 characters. If a book has over 800 pages, I’m instantly intrigued. This book didn’t allow me to get to know the world or the characters. It was too much back and forth.
Lastly, and SPOILER if you plan on reading it, the main female character storyline revolves around sexual violence... within the first 70 pages. I’m DONE with men writing plot for female characters that revolve around this. I couldn’t let it go. I did a little digging to see if there was something to it, like if it served the overall plot and it seems it happens to her AGAIN. COME. ON. Enough with this narrative! Give me more.
I know in previous experiences that Clavell really shines at the three hundred page mark, but I couldn’t bring myself to finish. This is probably the first time I’ve stopped reading with no intention of picking it back up.
Let’s talk about why this book is awful and I couldn’t finish it!
First off, I have two other James Clavell books. Shogun and Tai-Pan are fantastic epics that really a reader can emerge themselves in. I loved them so much I bought all of his other books.
I started this one and was able to get about 200 pages and had to put it down. There wasn’t a central character of interest. There were many, but none that the reader could get behind and explore the world Clavell created. It was like he was showing us all the pieces of the puzzle too early and not a single center piece.
Now, I’m all for an epic with 100 characters. If a book has over 800 pages, I’m instantly intrigued. This book didn’t allow me to get to know the world or the characters. It was too much back and forth.
Lastly, and SPOILER if you plan on reading it, the main female character storyline revolves around sexual violence... within the first 70 pages. I’m DONE with men writing plot for female characters that revolve around this. I couldn’t let it go. I did a little digging to see if there was something to it, like if it served the overall plot and it seems it happens to her AGAIN. COME. ON. Enough with this narrative! Give me more.
I know in previous experiences that Clavell really shines at the three hundred page mark, but I couldn’t bring myself to finish. This is probably the first time I’ve stopped reading with no intention of picking it back up.