Book recommendations

volospian · 13-01-2012, 09:34

I fancy a good book (or books) set in feudal Japan (Samurai et al).

I want something based closer to fact than fantasy (so more like "the Sunne in Splendour than Monkey, for example).

Either something based on historical fact (like the Sunne in Splendour) or based around largely fictional events and fictional people that are still (relatively) believable, like Ottoman or something.

Anybody got any ideas?

semi-pro waster · 14-01-2012, 10:43

It's not feudal Japan I'm afraid but the book that game immediately to mind was Gates of Fire which is a fictionalised account of the battle of Thermopylae which was also recounted and sensationalised in the film 300. I'll try and have a think but offhand I can't think of many more in this line that I've read.

Dymetrie · 14-01-2012, 19:23

If you've not read it, Shogun (James Clavell) is a thoroughly good read

leowyatt · 14-01-2012, 19:53

I really enjoyed Shogun

volospian · 15-01-2012, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by semi-pro waster

It's not feudal Japan I'm afraid but the book that game immediately to mind was Gates of Fire which is a fictionalised account of the battle of Thermopylae which was also recounted and sensationalised in the film 300. I'll try and have a think but offhand I can't think of many more in this line that I've read.

Yep, read Gates of Fire already. Thought it was very good, although I didn't think much of Tides of War.

I'll have to give Shogun a go.

/EDIT I've just remembered, that's the one that was made into a tv series with Richard Chamberlain in it... I was trying to remember what it was called and I kept getting it mixed up with the Thorn Birds (which also had RC in it) and kept thinking "no, I'm sure that wasn't what it was called"

Dymetrie · 17-01-2012, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by volospian

Yep, read Gates of Fire already. Thought it was very good, although I didn't think much of Tides of War.

I'll have to give Shogun a go.

/EDIT I've just remembered, that's the one that was made into a tv series with Richard Chamberlain in it... I was trying to remember what it was called and I kept getting it mixed up with the Thorn Birds (which also had RC in it) and kept thinking "no, I'm sure that wasn't what it was called"

Yup, it was the awesome Toranaga Saga

13-01-2012, 09:34	#1
volospian Vodka Martini Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 786	Book recommendations I fancy a good book (or books) set in feudal Japan (Samurai et al). I want something based closer to fact than fantasy (so more like "the Sunne in Splendour than Monkey, for example). Either something based on historical fact (like the Sunne in Splendour) or based around largely fictional events and fictional people that are still (relatively) believable, like Ottoman or something. Anybody got any ideas?

14-01-2012, 10:43	#2
semi-pro waster Provider of sensible advice about homosexuals Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 2,615	It's not feudal Japan I'm afraid but the book that game immediately to mind was Gates of Fire which is a fictionalised account of the battle of Thermopylae which was also recounted and sensationalised in the film 300. I'll try and have a think but offhand I can't think of many more in this line that I've read. __________________ "Your friend is the man that knows all about you, and still likes you." - Elbert Hubbard

14-01-2012, 19:23	#3
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	If you've not read it, Shogun (James Clavell) is a thoroughly good read __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

14-01-2012, 19:53	#4
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	I really enjoyed Shogun __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"